The opening "Righteous" is a breezy Lorber number centered on a hooky acoustic piano and guitar melody. What's particularly interesting on Eleven is that you can pick out how Lorber and Stern have adapted their distinctive styles for each tune. There are also nicely done horn parts peppered throughout by Ned Mann. Joining them is producer and longtime Yellow Jackets bassist Jimmy Haslip, as well as drummer Dave Weckl, guitarist Leni Stern, drummer Gary Novak, drummer Vinnie Colaiuta, and others.
Together, they bring all of their decades-long experience to bear on Eleven playing a handful of original songs. Conversely, Stern built upon his early years as a member of Miles Davis' ensembles, mixing post-bop and blues as one of the top virtuoso jazz guitarists of his generation. As the leader of the Jeff Lorber Fusion, Lorber helped to define the sound of groove-oriented contemporary jazz and R&B. While both artists got their start in the late 1970s playing a hybrid of jazz and electric rock, they each moved in slightly different directions while coming into their own in the '80s. In 2000 Keith wrote and produced for Atlanta Actress Vocalist and Voice Over Artist Dawn Bynoe and while working on that project, he met Atlanta record executive and producer Oga Otumala, Owner of Majesty Studios where he went on to work with James Brown Back Up Band, The First Family Of Soul.The first pairing between crossover jazz icons keyboardist Jeff Lorber and guitarist Mike Stern, 2019's Eleven is an engaging fusion album that balances each musician's distinct musical personality. In 1997, Keith was signed to Austrilian Record label Odessa Records as an Artist, Producer,Remixer and is enjoying the success of 4 songs on 4 compilations released in Japan and Germany and the USA. In 1995, Keith studied with veteran engineer and producer Jeff Dovner and 4 time Grammy Award winner Jimmy"The Senator" Douglass at New York's Modern Recording Workshop were he received another audio engineering certification. (August 1989) In April 1991 Keith worked with Legendary Jazz Artist George Benson, and wrote and recorded two songs with him prior to his 1992 Love Remembers CD release. This endeavor enjoyed regional and club success and was given a great review in Billboard Mag. In 1989, Keith Embarked on a recording project, Quest for Excellence, which was signed to Independent Record label Midtown Records. Keith also played drums for Jessie D'' who was the lead singer of the popular Tommy Boy/Warner Bros. Keith continued his career working with such artists as Actor/Dancer- Obba Babatunde,Keyboardist Bernard Wright,Vocalist Audrey Wheeler(Jeff Lorber Fusion, Chaka Khan),Vocalist Fonzi Thornton(Luther Vandross) and Vocalist Tawahta Agee an original member of the R&B group Mtume. King as well as the Drifters'' and The Jimmy Castor Bunch''. Keith's band would on ocassion open shows for Ms. The group was then signed to there production company Sight & Sound Management. At age 16, Keith assembled a select group and entered a City-Wide talent competition, where his group won the contest and was then brought to the attention of Bob Schwaid and Erick King, who at the time were handling R&B,Disco Star Evelyn ''Champagne"" King (Shame)1979 RCA, I'm In Love 1981 RCA. Throughout the city with various local artists. He Matured quickly in his teens and played New Yort City Native, Keith"Grooves"Edwards started playing drums at age 10. Influences: Earth, Wind & Fire, Kool And The Gang, The Gap Band, Quincy Jones, George Duke