Tommy Keys

Tommy Keys, whose swampland, New Orleans approach to the blues… plays many different blues sub-genres such as New Orleans, shuffles and rumbas…. back and forth from somber chord changes to the powerful chorus with the help of crescendos in the cymbals. - Adam Forman, Goodtimes Magazine

Dr. Professor Keys is a fine ivory tickler and he writes music with a joyous bounce and visual style. "Two Left Hands" is a generally happy collection of boogies, shuffles and get down, hip-shaking piano blues. The 88s go low blue, bounce New Orleans, pump Chicago and grind NY Boogie like no one's business. Keys sings with a smooth tenor that reminds me all at once of Bob Malone, Tom Waits and William Joel… the overall feel is of redemption by happy blues, even if his baby is so cruel that alligators and lawyers give her a wide berth!!
- Dr. Blues, LI Blues Society

Tommy Keys has done his part to preserve the traditions of barrelhouse boogie and stride piano at concerts all over Long Island for some time now. His first solo CD covers Pinetop Perkins, Otis Spann, Jimmy Reed and more, and also features five first-class originals, including the solo pieces "TK Boogie" and "Two Left Hands Boogie." Though devoted to historical piano styles, Mr. Keys is no slouch as a singer either, lending his warm tenor to the original blues tunes "Rosa Lee" and "Swamper John," sounding remarkably like fellow Long Islander Billy Joel on the ballad "Help You Understand," getting down and dirty on Thunder Smith's "Cruel Hearted Woman" ... - Jon Sobel, Blogcritics.org

He rocked the crowd with boogie, jump and stride piano and his warm vocals. - Mark Gresser, Long Island Blues Society

A great act was Tommy Keys, whose energy was addicting, and who also kept the party rolling along... - Debbie Tuma, Dans Papers

Beginning on August 28, hurricanes battered the Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida and especially our spiritual center, New Orleans. The damage wrought by Katrina and then Rita was horrific in scope and then it was compounded in the Crescent City as the levees breached and Lake Pontchartrain filled the under sea level city. With homes and property destroyed, musical instruments needed to be put into the hands of the musicians so that they could resume making their living. LIBS continued the relief efforts with a series of benefits at local clubs. Over $1500 was sent to Katrina's Piano to buy instruments for New Orleans musicians. The last benefit for Katrina assistance was held at Atlantis Marineworld where Tommy Keys opened the evening with some very tasty New Orleans piano. Then, NOLA expatriate Coco Robicheaux and Pam Betti and the Bluebloods featuring Jim Moran availed the diners with inspired hoodoo and energetic dancetunes and $1555 went to the Salvation Army. - Dr. Blues, Long Island Blues Society 2005

..."Rum Boogie Woogie"... If large doses of robust barrelhouse blues get you moving, then clear the dance floor 'cause here you come. On this track, TOMMY'S puttin' out some of his best stuff.....vocally and instrumentally...
- By Peter "BLEWZZMAN" Lauro, © July, 2007 www.mary4music.com

Tommy has demonstrated a fine hand at songwriting on this compilation. The energy level is high and the good times are flowing as Keys tickles the ivories. Twelve cuts rock the joint with 6 being originals. Tommy shouts like he means it and his lyrics say it clear, from love to a government that's lost...his left hand anchors like bedrock while the right is flying around the upper keys. Keys blows some good harp, low, mournful and slow, too... - Dr. Blues, Long Island BluesSociety