One life.
Many shades of music.

THE BEGINNINGS

Miami: a language of his own

By the age of four or five, Keith already senses that music will shape his life. In first grade, he sings ‘The Lord’s Prayer’ and ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ from the principal’s office over the school’s loudspeaker system. For him, it is the discovery of his calling.

He takes his first singing lessons in his hometown of Miami. In 1976, he completes his music studies with Lina Maddaford at the University of Miami. While still studying, he is engaged by the Miami Beach Symphony and the Miami Opera Guild. His stage repertoire includes ‘Macbeth’, ‘La Traviata’, ‘La Bohème’, ‘Madame Butterfly’, ‘Tosca’ and ‘Porgy and Bess’.

His training opens the door to very different musical worlds. Soul, classical music, jazz, blues, gospel, pop and Broadway musicals remain part of his identity as a singer.

NEW YORK · THE 1970s AND 1980s

The great stages

New York becomes an important chapter in Keith’s life as an artist. From July 1979, he is a principal performer in ‘A New York Summer’ at Radio City Music Hall. Further musical and show engagements take him across the United States with ‘Show Boat’ and ‘I Love New York’. He also appears as a soloist in the ‘Twilight Show’ at Opryland.

His first European engagement takes him to Queen Alexandra House in London in 1980. From 1981 to 1985, he sings first tenor in ‘The Platters Golden Hits Revue’, performing in cities across the United States and Europe.

The revue is one of the later formations in the history of the Platters. This period establishes the close connection many fans make between Keith and ‘Only You’. ‘Mr. Only You’ remains one of their names for him.

FROM 1985

Amsterdam and a path of his own

After his time with the Platters and engagements with ‘The Band of Gold’, Keith moves from New York to Amsterdam in 1985. He continues his solo career, performing in Europe and the United States. In May 1985, he appears at Amsterdam’s Kleine Komedie with Donna Lynton as a special guest. He also performs at Miss Switzerland in 1985 and 1986.

In October 1986, he produces ‘Where Are Those Old Melodies’. Recordings with a Chicago orchestra and collaborations with lyricists and producers expand his studio work. An early recording of ‘Where I Belong’, written by Gary Fry, is available on the media page to listen to.

In summer 1987, he opens for Gloria Gaynor in Cyprus. A surviving invitation documents the performance on 18 July 1987 at the Limassol Municipal Gardens Theatre. Tours also take him to Finland, Sweden, Austria and Switzerland.

Keith tours Germany and Switzerland as a principal performer in ‘One Night on Broadway’ and ‘Broadway, Broadway!’ in 1989 and 1991. The combination of singing and entertainment remains central to his work.

1993–2000

Gospel, love and original songs

A new chapter as a gospel soloist begins in 1993. Between 1993 and 1999, he records four gospel CDs: ‘Keith Tynes, Live! – We Shall Overcome’ (1993), the Christmas album ‘Go Tell It on the Mountain’ (1994), ‘The Message Is Love’ (1997) and ‘I Believe’ (1999).

‘The Message Is Love’ takes its title from his own composition. Its message is simple: even in difficult times, love remains. Keith dedicates ‘Angels Are Around Us’, his 1999 song on ‘I Believe’, to the friends who stand by him. Explore the albums and recordings ↗

His gospel tours take him through Germany, the Netherlands, Austria and Switzerland. At a benefit concert for ‘Human Leben mit Aids e. V.’, he performs with soloists from Berlin’s Theater des Westens.

In September 1995, Keith sings in Singapore, including a performance for the president and his wife. In 1998, he appears with the Weather Girls at an open-air concert in Amsterdam. Concerts in Johannesburg and Cape Town follow in October 1999. In March 2000, he returns to South Africa for two benefit concerts for ‘Reach for a Dream’.

BERLIN · FROM 2001

A new home. A band of his own.

After performing his soul and pop programme in Berlin bars in November 2000, Keith moves from Amsterdam to Berlin in 2001. The city becomes his home and the starting point for further international engagements.

He performs at the Berlin Jazz Festival in November 2001, followed in 2002 by the Köpenick Jazz Festival with ‘The Berlin Black Blues Connection & The Three Tenors’. ‘Jazz goes Gospel’ with Jocelyn B. Smith is another of his musical collaborations.

The Keith Tynes Band takes shape during this period. His presentation documents the formation of the large ensemble in December 2002. Brass, rhythm section and backing vocals give Keith room for soul, jazz, funk and gospel. Musical flexibility, improvisation and the joy of playing together are what matter to him.

In July 2003, he performs with Queen Yahna at the summer ball of the Minister-President of Hesse in Berlin. From 2004, jazz club and gala engagements follow across Germany, including the opening of BMW’s showroom on Kurfürstendamm. In December 2004, he sings with his twelve-member gospel choir at a Christmas concert in Berlin Cathedral for 1,500 guests.

2006–2015

Music that leads onwards

Keith’s German-language recording ‘Die Nacht weint … wenn Sterne fallen’ is released in 2006. Commissioned to accompany Tina Rainford’s autobiography ‘Wenn Sterne fallen’, it pays tribute to the singer and her life. In December of the same year, Keith performs alongside Nina Hagen and Monrose at the ‘Charity 4 Peace’ benefit concert in Schüttorf.

In 2007, he is a singer and jury member at Miss Germany in Egypt. With his band, he performs at the Teddy Award ceremony during the Berlinale. He records ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ for a Suzuki Swift commercial; the song is released as a single in May 2007.

Keith appears as a host and singer at Miss Intercontinental in the Seychelles in October 2007 and at Top Model of the World in January 2008. In 2009, he is invited back to Minsk as a judge and also sings at the presidential ball.

In July 2010, Keith sings in the backing choir at Stevie Wonder’s Berlin concert. In 2012 and 2013, he is the support act for Keith Sweat in Berlin. In July 2013, soul meets rock in a joint performance with Joe Lynn Turner at Berlin’s Jagger.

In 2015, he presents ‘The Platters and more’ at ‘Stars in Concert’ in Berlin’s Estrel. With a big band and dance couple Robert Beitsch and Anastasia Bodnar, the show moves from the music of the Platters to his own interpretations of other hits.

FROM 2018

New places, a familiar connection

From 2018, summer concerts on the open-air stage at Spandau Citadel and Christmas concerts in the Gothic Hall feature among the Berlin appearances described in his presentation. Zig Zag Jazz Club and Loci Loft are also part of his concert history with the band.

In February 2021, Keith spends several months in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. He organises his own concerts there and performs at venues including ‘The Palm’ and ‘Act2PV’. In June 2021, he opens the concert season at Club Zante in Cyprus, leading to an invitation for a concert series.

Keith shares a close friendship with Daniel De La Fuente. He supported Daniel’s musical career from a young age. Their recording of ‘Only You’ is available as a Main Mix and a Ballad Mix. Both versions are linked on the media page.

Looking ahead, Keith hopes to make new recordings, ideally with an orchestra. He is also considering an autobiography. In October 2026, he looks forward to returning to A-Trane after more than twenty years to celebrate his 72nd birthday with music, friends and his audience. See upcoming concerts ↗

PURE & PERSONAL

The person behind the voice

Keith describes himself as sociable, empathetic and sensitive. His faith is a personal source of strength. For him, music means sharing feelings and reaching people with thoughts of love, hope and humanity.

He was particularly moved by a concertgoer whom he invited to sing along during a gospel concert. Her voice touched him and the audience, and a lasting friendship grew from the encounter. He also remembers his gospel concert in Germany on 11 September 2001 for the sense of solidarity he shared with the audience.

Away from the stage, he meets friends, goes to concerts, cooks and travels. Good music is also part of sharing a meal. Films, from love stories to documentaries, and discovering other cultures enrich his everyday life. Creating small, unexpected moments of joy for others makes him happy too.

For Keith, friends are family: people who share his life and support him, and for whom he wants to be there in return. He finds inspiration in conversation and listening. His musical influences include Mahalia Jackson, Sam Cooke, Sarah Vaughan, Ella Fitzgerald, Stevie Wonder, Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle and Kim Burrell.

FROM HIS PRESENTATION

Stages and references

Keith’s career spans musicals, opera, club concerts, festivals, galas and studio work. The following names complement the milestones described above.