Chicago's own multi-talented and Grammy Contender Keenan Baxter is a very accomplished musician in his own right, and performs and composes on keyboards. He started producing and composing over at the age of 14 and attended the Music Industry Workshop in Chicago (Studio Chicago). Keenan wrote over 100 songs and had 10 cds before the age of 21. He was also Grammy Contender 2006 in Best Album and Best Record Category. As a producer, he has produced recordings for local rock bands, vocalists, and industry professionals. He had a song selected by MTV for their “Sweet 16 show.” You can check out more about Keenan on his myspace: www.reverbnation.com/keenanbaxter He performs Smooth Jazz solo on keyboards throughout the Chicago area. As a prolific composer, Keenan performs in several genres, and also combines genres. He most does smooth jazz or Celtic. He also plays Chicago Blues, Latino, Funk, Cocktail music, Some Cover Songs, New Age and Various combinations of these. Sometimes he counter points 4 melodies at once, sometimes he improvs on the spot. Sometimes, he plays a new song he just wrote.
Awards
Grammy contender for Best Album and Best Record in 2006.
Gear
Yamaha Motif ES8, mic, have various amps and speakers, and mixer.
Keenan featured in Shore Magazine by Joey Marburger
Keenan Baxter: International music sensation. Aspiring film composer. Keyboard lover.
Baxter, a 29-year-old musician from Valparaiso with major play in Canada and Asia, more than 150 songs and multiple albums, and his own recording studio, has no shame in admitting the relationship he has with his electronic instrument of choice.
"I'm in love with my keyboard," Baxter says, laughing. "Ray Charles used the same model before he died. Elton John used it. Billy Joel. It's one of the best."
And he has to love it. He spends every day at his keyboard writing, producing and recording
Read more
Keenan featured in Shore Magazine by Joey Marburger
Keenan Baxter: International music sensation. Aspiring film composer. Keyboard lover.
Baxter, a 29-year-old musician from Valparaiso with major play in Canada and Asia, more than 150 songs and multiple albums, and his own recording studio, has no shame in admitting the relationship he has with his electronic instrument of choice.
"I'm in love with my keyboard," Baxter says, laughing. "Ray Charles used the same model before he died. Elton John used it. Billy Joel. It's one of the best."
And he has to love it. He spends every day at his keyboard writing, producing and recording.
But the technology of an electronic keyboard can only take him so far. He knows it. That's why Baxter keeps his music and sound different, pulling ideas from genres such as rock, blues, country and even celtic music.
"It's a whole different world when you're trying to create different music all of the time," Baxter says. "Overall, I just like to add elements that make songs interesting."
His sound blends beats with instrumental change-ups that keep your attention at every turn. And with a lack of vocals, something Baxter hopes to change, he know he has to keep listener's attention and use the instruments as voices.
Baxter hopes to get into the film composing business eventually. At the age of 29, considering how far he has come already, it won't be long until his keyboard is producing a specialized live Jazz performance that showcases his musical skills that even a music school could appreciate.
Show less
Primary Instrument
Keyboards
Willing to teach
Beginner to advanced