Jimmy's Biography

Jimmy Keys was born in Gravesend, Kent, England. As a young child he studied classical piano. At the age of twelve Jimmy started playing in school bands. He soon graduated to the local music scene, working in clubs and pubs with numerous pop, soul and rock groups, singing and playing keyboards.

Can you spot Jimmy amongst these strange looking guys?

This continued until at age 20 he turned “professional” and went off to Germany with a local group, to seek fame and fortune following after dozens of other post-Beatle bands!! Early 70’s he went on to work and tour in Europe with many top soul artists from the States including Ben E. King, Eddie Floyd and Percy Sledge. Later, with his own band, he worked extensively throughout Europe and the Middle East. A highlight was when the band recorded at the famous Abbey Road Studios in London. The band was constantly touring in England, Holland, Spain, Scandinavia & Germany. After several other groups Jimmy formed a trio and they were cruising from London to Spain and the Canary Islands for one year continuosly!

In 1981 he decided to return to his first love, the piano, and become a solo entertainer, with his first gig on the island of Ibiza, Spain. He worked the European piano bar circuit for a couple of years, before arriving on the beautiful island of Bermuda for a 1 month contract that turned into 13 years! Since then he has developed a very unique and highly entertaining musical and comedy act. He’s a cross between Elton John (in that he sings and plays the piano) and Robin Williams (in that his comedy is off-the-wall). His show is packed with comedy, visual musical impressions and favorite Broadway songs, wrapped around some of the most exciting piano playing and audience participation that you will ever witness.

This music and comedy show really evolved in Bermuda between the mid eighties to the year 2000 when Jimmy was very famous on the island. For 5 years he was the resident manic entertainer at the world famous "Henry V111 Pub", where he built a huge following. From 94 to 99 he became the main headliner at the Southampton Princess Hotel and was a firm favorite with locals, and tourists from all over the world

Since moving to the United States in 2000, Jimmy has been extremely busy. He has played at numerous high profile Country Clubs up and down the east coast, and for many Corporate groups at hotels such as, the Hilton, Hyatt, Registry and Ritz Carlton, all in Naples, Florida; the Four Seasons in Scottsdale Arizona, the 21 Club and 4 seasons Restaurant in New York City; The Half Moon Resort in Montego Bay, Jamaica, and Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas just to name a few. Jimmy has appeared many times at the Boston Comedy Connection, the Comedy Connection in Providence, RI.,

The Newport Comedy Fest, and the Atlantic Connection Theatre, Martha’s Vineyard. He has opened for major headliners including Willie Nelson, Tom Jones, Wynona Judd, Huey Lewis & the News, and Hootie & the Blowfish.

Jimmy has lived and worked in over a dozen countries entertaining thousands of people of many nationalities. He is definitely one of those unique individuals who have the ability to communicate with any audience, of any age group, through his music, singing and comedy. He currently performs around 150 shows a year!