Born in a small coal mining town, Keith combines the ability to play I Cover the Waterfront in 11 and a half keys with his love of washing machines to form a perspective so skewed that his wife insists on seperate seatings at dinner.  Keith spent his formative years in Los Angeles where he studied with Charlie Shoemake and later, with Horace Silver. Keith worked extensively in L.A. with such well known artists as Eddie Harris, Roy McCurdy, and Bill Watrous, as well as recording with Jazz Adoption Agency, for which he was the arranger.  His most notable contribution to this aggregation was his composition "Forced To Hang," a song depicting the angst of being baracaded in a Denny's booth by an unyielding Berk.

Since moving to New York City in 1984, Keith has worked and/or recorded with a wide variety of musicians, including Richie Cole, Frank Wess, Ralph Lalama, Joe Lovano, Hank Crawford, and Mickey Roker. In 1991, Keith became the leader of The NY HardBop Quintet, which had begun as a cooperative unit. As such, he wrote and arranged music -- recorded by The HBQ for the TCB Montreux Jazz label, as well as numerous television spots including promotions for VH1, ESPN, and Filene's Basement Department Stores.

Keith is also the Musical Director for Manhattan Tap, the nationally acclaimed tap dance company.  It was in this period where his famous live Toronto Airport rendition of "People" led to his first arrest and conviction.

In addition to his recordings with The HBQ, Keith can be heard on Jerry Weldon's live-recorded Midtown Blues (Amosaya), Andrew Beals' Gravy Train, John Dooley's Just Passin' Through, and Olga Boatman's Swingin down the Volga. His debut CD, Lost in Queens will be released in April of 2010 on TCB and features bassist Bim Strasberg, and drummer, Taro Okamoto.

Keith lives in Queens, New York with his wife Debra and his three children, Little Jake, Leevin Von Cleefe, and Lucy McGuillicutty, where he continues to gig, teach, and engage in his favorite sport -- the shotput.