Bill Zerbe

Bill began his musical journey almost as soon as he was born. Coming from a family of piano players he was destined to play the keys himself. He went on to play the trombone at age 11 and would continue throughout his school years playing in concert band, marching band, and orchestra. In addition to playing the trombone, he played jazz piano in the high school stage band. It was while in 1967, in San Diego, Ca. that Bill joined his first rock and roll band. His first keyboard was a Vox Continental but it wouldnt be long before he got his first Hammond organ and the love affair began. He has been playing the Hammond organ in one configuration or another ever since. Bill applied his skills on the Hammond organ and piano in both the Kansas City blues circuit and San Francisco music scene before moving to Albuquerque, NM. He has shared the stage with, recorded with and/or opened for such notables as Lonnie Brooks, Sherman Robertson, Tab Benoit, Tommy Castro, and Elvin Bishop, to name a few, as well as having toured nationally with harmonica sensation Brody Buster. His funky organ and boogie-woogie piano can be heard on many Kansas City and San Francisco recordings. Bill embarked on his solo career in 2006.

I started playing keys in 1967 in San Diego, Ca. My first Hammond Organ was an M3. I have played different models of the Hammond organ ever since. I moved to Kansas City, Mo. in the 70's and became entrenched in the Kansas City blues scene there. In the 90's I moved to the Bay Area and became part of the San Francisco music scene. I am now in Albuquerque, New Mexico where I play solo and also perform with a local blues band.

Yes. Live is the true test.

My early musical influences were Al Kooper and Greg Rollie. In later years I began listening more to Jimmy Smith, Jimmy McGriff, and other jazz guys like them.

Hammond organ; Leslie 142; Kurzweil piano