Life & Work with Gayelynn McKinney of Detroit

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gayelynn McKinney

Hi Gayelynn, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was Born and raised in Detroit Michigan, my father, the
legendary Harold McKinney, was a formidable jazz pianist,
composer and teacher who mentored many people and played
with such greats as, Billy Holiday, Gene Krupa and many others.
My mother Gwendolyn McKinney was a fashion model and
renowned singer, singing in such productions as Carman and
Porgy and Bess. She was also recorded on my father’s
“Voices and Rhythms of The Creative Profile,” for Tribe records .
As a vocal instructor, my mother mentored many successful vocalist, including one of Ray Charles’s Raylets.
I began playing the drums at the age of two. I received much of my
musical training in the Detroit Jazz scene and I also obtained my Bachelor of
Music degree from Oakland University.
I have recorded projects with the group Straight Ahead, ( of which I am
co-founder of ) Ralphe Armstrong, Marcus Belgrave just to name a few. I have
recently recorded solo projects with my groups, McKinFolk and McKinney Zone”
called, “It’s About Time,” “McKinFolk The New Beginning” and “Zoot Suit Funk.
My many awards include: 2014 Kresge Artist Fellows recipient,
with the Group Straight Ahead and McKinFolk, a Grammy Nomination. I am also
a recipient of the Detroit Music Awards, Detroit Black Music Awards, and State
of Michigan Women of influence award.
I have had the opportunity to travel extensively and play at many famous jazz festivals including, the Montreux Jazz Fest Lionel Hampton Jazz Fest, New Orleans Jazz Fest, Essence Festival, Olympics, and the Kennedy Center.
I have also performed as a side musician with such notables as, Benny Golson,
Dee Dee Bridgewater, Diane Shure, Jason Marsalis, Freda Payne, Roy Ayers, Geri
Allen, Marcus Belgrave, Chaka Khan, Roy Hargrove, Randy Brecker, Rick
Margitza, Larry Coryell, Ralphe Armstrong, Steve Turre, Kevin Mahogany, James
Carter, Tim Ries, (The Rolling Stones Music director) “Speech” of Arrested
Development and I am the last drummer to tour with Aretha Franklin. While
performing with Aretha Franklin, I had the distinct honor to play for
presidential hopeful Hilary Clinton at the Tribeca Film Fest featuring, a tribute to Clive Davis

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There are always some obstacles. The internet has really changed the music industry. In someways the internet has made it more difficult to make money in the music business. Even getting work depends on social media presence. Those obstacles can be major if you don’t have help or, the time to manage these issues yourself. Also, due to streaming sites it’s harder to make money off of your recordings. The saying, “It’s not what you know it’s who you know,” is very true in this business. Making the right connections is very important and sometimes that takes money. That brings to mind the other saying which is, “It takes money to make money.”

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I am a professional drummer, Professor, composer and arranger and festival promoter. I’m known for my work as a mentor and drummer mostly.

Lately what I have been most proud of is producing a free festival called, “Women Who Drum Festival, “ which features all women drummers and their bands. This festival not only showcases women as drummers, it showcases women as band leaders as well. I started this festival because as a woman drummer, I have been told many times by people that I am either the first woman or the only woman drummer outside of Sheila E. they’ve seen.”

When looking at gender equality in the music industry, female artists are still very much underrepresented. Female percussionists remain overlooked in an industry that is still heavily male dominated. I feel the need to bring visibility to female percussionists and hopes that the festival will increase awareness.

Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Essentially, the pandemic forced me to learn new ways to connect with people musically and socially. One of the most important things I learned from the pandemic is, stay in touch with people and don’t take anything for granted.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://linktr.ee/beatstixmusic
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gayelynnmckinney
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gayelynnmckinney
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@gayelynnmckinney