Rickey Kelly

[kh1958]

I was just listening to Rickey Kelly's LP, My Kind of Music, recorded circa 1978 or 1979 this morning. It is a wonderful recording that I've had for many years, yet I've never heard of this artist otherwise or seen any other recording, much less a CD. He plays vibes and marimba, and the LP also features Billy Higgins on drums, Tony Dumas on bass, and Charles Owens on reeds.

So I was wondering if there was any information on the internet and found that he had a currently unavailable CD on CDBaby, with the following biographical information.

http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/rickey

Notes from your friendly neighborhood jazz producer,Dennis Sullivan.

Born in San Francisco,Rickey Kelly moved to Los Angeles in 1982.

I first heard Rickey on the local Jazz station and began searching for his recording "MY Kind Of Music".(soon to become available on CDbaby).A tune entitled "Dream Dance"became the most played song on the local jazz station.Kjzz 88.1 FM. That haunting sound on vibes was just to much to resist.

After months of looking through all of the record shops I gave up and called the radio station.I had to get a copy of that rcording.

I found out from the local DJ that Rickey's recording was self produced and that I had to catch him on one of his gigs to get a copy of his Lp.

I finally got a number on him and went to his house.

I purchased his Lp and inquired as to why he wasn't working around town.

He informed me that he was working at Hughes Aircraft and didn't have time for giging in the evening.

He had to take care of his family which numbered about six children.I bagan booking his band soon after meeting him.An artist this blessed should not be working a day job I thought.Rickey soon quit his job at Hughes aircraft and began performing full time.Rickey stayed in his apartment for long periods of time just praticing.He often mentioned to me that he needed to stay in isolation in order to keep his music pure.The ever increasing madness of Los Angeles eventually drove Rickey into further isolation.He mooved North of Seattle in 1990."He lives out in the woods" is how a fellow muscian described Rickey's current living situation.

During Rickey's stay in L.A. he had worked with all of the great jazz and R @ B bands.Muscians like altoist Bobby Watson,the legendary drummer Billy Higgins,The Jazz Crusaders,pianist Ahmad Jamal,and one of the most popular artists of his generation Marvin Gay,often called on Rickey to perform with their bands.As great as all of these artists were.The addition of Rickey Kelly on vibes seemed to make their music better.

Because of his isolation Rickey's music has developed a uniqueness and purity of sound that trandsends styles.One reveiwer described it as a "childlike quality,a profound innocence".Relax and listen closely.This is music with a purpose."Here's To Good People" heals the spirit and calms the soul./Recomended For The Entire Family.## "A great Christmas Gift"

[kh1958]

Here's to Good People is another fine recording in Rickey Kelly's rather scant discography as a leader (an LP recorded circa 1978, and this CD recorded from 1995). It features Michael White on violin, Patrice Russian on piano, Robert Hurst on bass and Ralph Penland on drums.