Bert Keyes

Bert Keyes, born Ebert Adolphus Mahon on September 11, 1930, in Brooklyn, New York, was an American pianist, songwriter, singer, arranger, and Broadway book writer. He worked professionally under the name Bert Keyes until his death on July 21, 1987, in Central Islip, New York, at the age of 56.

Keyes built his early reputation as an accompanist, working alongside singer Ruth Brown in the late 1940s and subsequently with trumpeter Taft Jordan. In 1953, record executive George Goldner brought him on as A&R director, musical director, and arranger at the newly founded Rama label. Over the following four years, Keyes worked with vocal groups including the Crows, the Five Budds, and the Blue Notes. During this period he also recorded as a solo performer, releasing tracks such as "Write Me Baby" in 1954.

He later served as pianist and arranger for LaVern Baker on Atlantic Records, and contributed as a songwriter and arranger to projects involving Willie Bobo, Albert King, Eydie Gormé, Timi Yuro, and Billy Bland, frequently collaborating with record producer Clyde Otis. Among his notable songwriting credits, Keyes co-wrote "Angel Smile," a hit for Nat King Cole in 1958, and arranged Inez and Charlie Foxx's 1963 recording "Mockingbird." His catalog ultimately encompassed more than 120 compositions.

One of his most enduring songwriting contributions came through his collaboration with Sylvia Robinson on "Love on a Two-Way Street," first recorded by Lezli Valentine on Robinson's All Platinum label in 1968. The Moments later took the song to chart success, and their recording was subsequently sampled on Jay-Z and Alicia Keys' 2009 number-one single "Empire State of Mind." Keyes also expanded into composing and arranging for film and television, including work on the 1975 animated feature Hugo the Hippo.

In 1979, Keyes co-wrote the book for the Broadway musical But Never Jam Today, a work based on the writings of Lewis Carroll.