Bill McKemy

Keyboards and rhythm

Bill McKemy, keyboards and rhythm instructor, is a Kansas City based musician and composer who has performed or recorded across North America with a number of prominent figures on the contemporary jazz scene including: Grammy winners/nominees Randy Brecker, Karrin Allyson, Maceo Parker and John Abercrombie, Gold record award winner Pablo Batista and many others including Benny Green, Gregory Hutchinson, Sam Dockery, Khan Jamal, and Bobby Durham.
McKemy has released three solo CDs which have enjoyed critical acclaim including the Kansas City Star’s Top Ten of 2002 (Duende), Pitch Weekly’s Best Local Jazz CD of 2003 (Om Nidrah) and a feature on NPR’s All Songs Considered. He has also appeared as a sideman on numerous recordings. Current projects include the T.J. Martley Trio, Mark Southerland’s Snuff Jazz, Alaturka (primary sub), and the Brad Cox Sextet.
McKemy began teaching jazz bass and tuba at Ottawa University in the fall of 2010. He has given University master classes in improvisation, bass styles and general rhythmic aptitude. McKemy continues to work as an adjudicator and clinician throughout the Midwest.