I play Blues piano, guitar and sing mainly as a solo act. Pre War, Post War and original Blues songs.
Have Piano Will Travel
I took about 1 1/2 years of piano lessons between the ages of six and eight and that concluded my formal training. It is when I first heard Ray Charles' "What'd I Say" on the radio in 1959 that changed my life at age eight. It is the first record I bought with my own money and I learned it by ear that same day. I then studied records and taught myself how to play by ear, how a song is made, music theory and various piano playing styles. I then developed a piano and singing style uniquely my own.
I played in several bands throughout my teen years in the 1960s, in the Orlando, Florida area, usually playing the pop music of that era however, I introduced Blues and Soul music to any band I was in.
I have played professionally for over 35 years. I have been a session piano player and have toured the US and Japan extensively. One of the biggest musical thrills of my career came when Stevie Wonder came into a club I was working in on Bourbon Street and sat in with me. I offered the piano to Stevie but Stevie said, "No, you play great. You play and I'll sing." And, we did. But, the biggest thrill of all was when I finally met my lifelong hero, Ray Charles, in Seattle, shook his hand, spoke with him briefly and made him laugh.
I play The Blues live in clubs in the Orlando, Florida area. I love playing The Blues live!
I played two major festivals in 2004. The King Biscuit Blues Festival in Helena, Arkansas and The Festival of the Rivers in Hinton, West Virginia.
My major influence in my playing, singing and writing is Ray Charles. Other influences include Memphis Slim, Sunnyland Slim, Otis Spann, Roosevelt Sykes, Jimmy Yancey, Little Brother Montgomery, Big Maceo, Cousin Joe, Sonny Boy Williamson, Dr. John, James Booker, Howlin' Wolf, Muddy Waters, Willie Dixon, John Lee Hooker, Johnnie Johnson, Taj Mahal and so many more. I wish I had the skills of the piano greats Art Tatum and Albert Ammons.