Ed Kelly

• Born: October 04, 1935, Wharton, TX
• Died: February 04, 2005
• Active: '60s, '70s, '80s, '90s
• Genres: Jazz
• Instrument: Piano

Biography

Although he has not recorded enough through the years, Ed Kelly has long been a legendary name and an important force in Oakland and the San Francisco Bay area. He first played piano in his father's church in Texas and his roots are in gospel music. After his parents moved to Oakland when he was eight, Kelly became more involved in jazz. Other than spending a period based in Fort Devens, Massachusetts when he was in the Army, Kelly has spent his life around the Oakland area. A long time schoolteacher at Laney College, he has conducted jazz camps and among his students was tenor-saxophonist Robert Stewart. Kelly had opportunities to perform with Nat Adderley, Jimmy Witherspoon, Sonny Stitt, Rahsaan Roland Kirk, Milt Jackson, Dexter Gordon and Abbey Lincoln among many others when they appeared in Northern California. Ed Kelly recorded with violinist Michael White, Bruce Forman and singer Sugar Pie DeSanto and led sessions of his own for Theresa including a collaboration with Pharoah Sanders in 1981 that has since been reissued on CD (with additional material) by Evidence. ~ Scott Yanow, All Music Guide

Ed Kelly & Pharoah Sanders Buy this CD