Keith Loftis has been described as one of the most lyrical & compelling jazz saxophonist of today. Keith was born in Dallas, TX where he began his study of jazz and classical music as a child. He is a graduate of the nationally recognized Booker T. Washington High School of the Visual and Performing Arts in Dallas, with fellow classmate and 2X Grammy Award Winner, the late Roy Hargrove.
Keith received his B.A. in music from the New School for Social Research in NYC, and his Masters in Composition/Film Scoring from New York University. Over the course of his career, Keith has performed with several jazz legends such as Benny Carter, Cedar Walton, Nancy Wilson, Frank Foster, Alvin Batiste, Clark Terry, Bobby Shew, Joe Williams and Ray Charles to name of few.
Keith has traveled extensively around the globe performing regularly throughout Europe, Asia, Africa and parts of the Mid-East with legendary South African Jazz pianist Abdullah Ibrahim; Master Drummer, Michael Carvin; the Roy Hargrove Big Band and the Frank Foster Loud Minority Big Band. Keith has also performed at VH-1’s “Fashion Rocks” with Mary J. Blige and Usher, and VH-1’s “Storyteller” again with Mary J. Blige. Keith performed regularly at New York’s renowned Carlyle Hotel for 13 years with the late Pianist & Singer Chris Gillespie. In addition to performing live, Keith also works on film projects to broaden his film-scoring portfolio. He has performed music in the motion picture “Three Can Play That Game” starring Vivica A. Fox, and in the independent film, “Black Out” starring Jeff Wright and Melvin Van Peebles. Currently, Keith works with Vocalist & Educator Dr. Ruth Naomi Floyd in Ruth Naomi Floyd Presents: The Frederick Douglass Jazz Works. Keith is also a main fixture in the 3X Grammy Nominated Husband & Wife Duo, The Baylor Project featuring Jean & Marcus Baylor and touring with 4X Grammy Award Winner Bassist Christian McBride in A Christian McBride Situation & The Christian McBride Big Band.