Simon Beck
Simon Beck
3,266 plays
31,338 views
31,338 views
My name is Simon Beck. I play keyboards, bass guitar, double bass, ukulele and a bit of rhythm guitar, although I have been known to dabble with anything from a chromatic harmonica to a Theremin. I very rarely sing, and I can't read music. But music is part of me, and has been for many years.
Band/artist history
When I was 15 I built a bass guitar and taught myself to play it. The following year I started to teach myself to play the piano, and I've never stopped learning. Since the age of 18 I've played in bands of various types, including electro-pop, jazz and Memphis-style soul. In 1996 I was a founder member of Mississippi John L Watson's Odyssey Blues Band and was their keyboardist for three years, playing on their debut CD "" and at blues festivals including Dublin, Isle of Wight and London's Barbican. Since 2008 I have been playing keyboards with 9-piece reggae band The Skanx.
Have you performed in front of an audience?
I have been playing keyboards in a ska/funk/reggae band called The Skanx for the past 5 years. Playing live is one of my favourite things in life. The best live moments for me were playing live on BBC Radio 1 with Mississippi John L Watson (with an 8-piece band and after just one rehearsal), and the weekend when the Odyssey Blues Band played Friday and Saturday nights in the Guinness Blues Festival in Dublin, flew back to London early on Sunday morning and played the opening set at the Barbican Blues Festival.
Your musical influences
Dr John, Ray Charles, Josef Zawinul, Professor Longhair...
What equipment do you use?
Nord Electro 3 73 virtual electromechanical keyboard
Casio WK-3000 keyboard
Squier P-Bass Special
Stagg EDB 3/4 electric upright bass
Ferris electric violin
Squier Telecaster guitar
1958 Framus archtop acoustic guitar
Luna Athena thin-line semi-acoustic guitar
chromatic harmonica
Stylophone S2 analogue synthesiser
Fostex MR-8 digital multi-track recorder.
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Hi Simon..... talked with you at IndieCharts and said I would listen. I have added two of your songs to my "ArmstrongBlues" station. Thanks for the friendship..................DonHi Simon.
Came here from the blues forum...
Guitar Not Included...
Excellent.
Great atmosphere and musicianship :)
Loved it.
Nigel.Guitar Not Included is just so nice...
Do I hear some Ray Charles licks in there?
So cool..
Man that's so nice..
The only thing I can think of to make it better would be to add a guitar.
But I'm real partial to the insrument:)
Just so nice..
Close to getting that B3 sound as well.
Adding you to my favorites...
Very well done..
See Ya,
Tal...Thanks for checking out my King Dubby Page.... Interested in your piano Playing
I have an idea for a Dr John Prof Longhair song that will incorperate Accordian and Boogie Piano Like you play can you transmit midi files?????
JC AKA King DubbyAll comments (6)
3,266 plays
31,338 views
31,338 views
Good talking to you over on IndieCharts man, Keep up the good work. Definite Hot Votes from me