Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys is a New York pianist and singer-songwriter who blends R&B and neo-soul with classical piano training she began at age seven. Raised in Hell's Kitchen, she graduated from Professional Performing Arts School at 16 as valedictorian and left Columbia University to pursue music, a path that led to her debut album on J Records. Her catalogue is built around piano-led songwriting, so her live sets center on her own playing rather than backing tracks alone.