Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, Wil Key, has been producing his unique and soulful brand of contemporary Acoustic Soul music for many years now. This talented artist and producer has written for, recorded and produced some of the finest musical acts in the nation. He has worked with Def Jam recording artists Playa, whose subsequent debut album was produced by Timbaland and features Missy Elliot and the late Aaliyah among others. He has also worked extensively with former Jive recording artists LA Ganz, with whom he attended the High School of The Performing Arts as a Theater and Music major. The group recorded fifteen tracks for the label, four of which went on to be included on Major-Motion-Picture soundtracks including Booty Call, Phat Beach and The Long Kiss Good Night. In addition to co-sequencing the LA Ganz song "Count On Me," which is featured on the soundtrack for the New Line Cinema release Dangerous Ground (Ice Cube), Wil also performs the piano solo.
Wil received his Bachelor's of Music degree while studying at Howard University in Washington, D.C and the University of Louisville. He moved to Denver and studied graduate audio recording for 2 years at the University of Colorado at Denver (UCD) with Roy Pritts. While there, he received honorable mention from legendary producer and engineer, Eddie Kramer (Jimi Hendrix, Led Zepplin), for his production and performance of the original song "Dandelion" which is featured on the school's CD release for that year, as well as Wil's solo debut CD entitled "Gypsy." Wil went on to receive a Masters of Music in Jazz Performance and Pedagogy from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He has been a guest lecturer at several college campuses including the University of Louisville, and the University of Northern Colorado where he has presented courses on keyboard technology and software synthesis.
Wil has performed in Italy, Hawaii, New Mexico, California, New York City, Canada, Bermuda and on the Scorcher Music Festival in Australia. The Los Angeles-based artist also toured in Texas, New Orleans and Alabama during Mardi Gras to support the release of his newest CD entitled "But A Woman" - his third studio solo album. The new project is centered on celebrating women in their many different roles. Themes include mothers, daughters and lovers of all kinds. “I wanted to do something musically that would allow me to share and explore my fascination with the female spirit -to try to get next to a piece of the inspiration and compassion that they bring to this life,” reflects the artist on the new project which was just released in April. Wil has also re-enlisted the engineering talents of 5-time Grammy nominated engineer Ryan West (Jay-Z, Beyonce, T.I. , Jon Secada, Rashann Patterson) from New York City. West and Key recorded songs for the new project at Stadium Red Studios in Manhattan this past winter. The album, which was mixed partly in Los Angeles and partly in New York City, , is not short on songs or musicality and offers 15 brand new original works each inspired by a specific woman or female in the artist’s life.
Although he has many years of writing and performing experience under his belt, he says "I feel as though this is just the beginning, I have many stories to make!"
