Harold McKinney (July 4, 1928 – June 20, 2001) was an American jazz pianist, bandleader, and music educator from Detroit. McKinney received classical training from his mother, organist Bessie Walon McKinney, before focusing on jazz following the influence of Charlie Parker. McKinney graduated from Northwestern High School, attended Morehouse College, and served in the military in Germany during the early 1950s. Upon returning to Detroit, McKinney studied at Wayne State University and collaborated with musicians including Roy Brooks, Kenny Burrell, John Coltrane, and Wes Montgomery. McKinney was a member of the Tribe collective alongside Marcus Belgrave, Wendell Harrison, and Phil Ranelin. In 1974, McKinney released the debut album Voices and Rhythms of the Creative Profile through the Tribe label. McKinney established jazz programs at Oakland University and Wayne State University. In 1990, McKinney received the Jazz Master Award from Arts Midwest. McKinney died in Detroit on June 20, 2001.
