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Biography
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Gayelynn McKinney is one of the most accomplished drummers in Detroit. Her father was the legendary Jazz pianist and composer, Harold McKinney, who once played with Billie Holliday. Her mother was a noted singer.
EARLY YEARS
Gayelynn began playing drums at the age of 2 in her dad's basement. She began lessons at age 8 and had a drum set by age 9.
Gayelynn took up the clarinet in 5th grade and the saxophone in 6th grade. She became 1st Chair on clarinet in 7th grade.
In 10th Grade, she played drums in the Jazz band and saxophone in the Concert band.
After graduating college she and bassist, Marion Hayden, formed the "Straight Ahead" Jazz Band which continues to perform all across the country and overseas.
MILESTONES
1990: Opens for Nina Simone in Switzerland
1991: "Straight Ahead" signs with Atlantic Records
1991: "Straight Ahead" begins decades touring 49 states and 7 countries
2001: Tours Japan doing solo work with "Arrested Development"
2004: Performs at The Detroit Jazz Festival with Aretha Franklin
2006: Records 1st CD ("It's About Time")
2008: Tours with Martha Reeves
2010: Performs in Italy for the Woma Jazz Festival, toured army bases in Europe
2011: Live satellite performance to the US Troops in Afghanistan
2013: Performs with Freda Payne, speaks at dad's street naming ceremony
2014: Receives Kresge Fellowship Honor
2015: Performs with Aretha Franklin at Chene Park
2017: Performs with Aretha Franklin at Detroit Music Weekend Festival
2018: Performs with Freda Payne at The Dirty Dog Jazz Cafe
2019: Performs with Freda Payne at Bird's Basement in Australia
2020: Performed with Sista Strinngs at The Detroit International Jazz Festival
GAYE LYNN'S MUSIC CREDITS
Academic Training: Bachelor of Music from Oakland University
Awards: Grammy Nomination, Kresge Arts Fellowship, Motor City Music Award, Detroit Black Music Award
Television Appearances: CBS, CNN, PBS, BET
Magazine Features: Billboard, Elle, Touch (England), Vaud (Switzerland), Musica Jazz (Italy), Rhythm & Drums (Japan)
Opening Act: Ray Charles, Tony Bennett, Nina Simone, Nancy Wilson, Stanley Turrentine, Stanley Clark, Sheila E, Angela Bofill, Nelson Rangell, George Howard, Liz Wright, Jon Lucien
Performed With: Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, Martha Reeves, Marcus Belgrave, Roy Hargrove, Sonny Fortune, James Carter, Steve Turre, Javon Jackson, Phillip Harper, David "Fathead" Newman, Benny Golson, Barbara Morrison, Freda Payne, Regina Carter, Kevin Toney, Roy Ayers
Major Events and Venues: 1996 Olympic Games, The Kennedy Center, Montreaux Jazz Festival, Jamaica Jazz Festival, Woma Jazz Fest, Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival, New Orleans Jazz Festival, Detroit Jazz Festival, Essence Festival, Music Fest USA
Countries Performed In: France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Mexico, Japan, Jamaica, Australia
Recorded With: Harold McKinney, Straight Ahead, Marcus Belgrave, Ralph Armstrong, David Folks, David Sharp, Naima Shamborguer, Charlie Gabriel, Joe Reilly
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