Spike Botterill
My name is Spike Botterill --- Welcome to my world !
Tell me about your history? How did you get where you are now?
I started out as a Church Organist, then as a piano player in a 50's Rock & Roll Band called The Chevvies. I then joined The Thames Valley Jazz Band. I have worked as resident pianist at hotels & restaurants in England, Majorca, Dubai & Sweden on and off for the last 30 years. I even did a turn as Stand Up Comedian & Karaoke Host in Tenerife ! My residencies have included Althorpe House ( Princess Diana's ancestral home ) & The Harrington Club owned by my friend Mr Ronnie Wood. He even mentions me in his book ( page 300 in the hardback version ) !!!
I toured Europe & beyond for 15 years with the absolutely lovely Bob Kerr & His Whoopee Band and am now touring with the even more lovely Paul Harrison Band. I am also working as a producer, arranger & composer for www.amrakmusic.com and have recently produced an album for my very good friend & backgammon demon, Jo Horne. My latest project is a complete audio-visual experience called, simply, Clouds !
Have you performed live in front of an audience? Any special memories?
I love to play live. This year, I will probably do about 100 gigs or more. This year, I am playing in Denmark with a great Jazz band, The Paul Harrison Band. Next year will be Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany & Holland. The year after, who knows... Special moments have to be playing with Ronnie Wood with The Art Wood All Stars and being the resident pianist and lunatic at Ronnies club, The Harrington Club. It was like going to work in your TV set. Wonderful !!!
Your musical influences
My musical influences are ridiculously diverse. I love well crafted music like Mozart, Chopin, Bach etc, I love Ragtime, Stride & Boogie Woogie Piano, I love Fats Waller & Art Tatum, I love Pink Floyd, Deep Purple, Abba, The Carpenters, Supertramp, Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, The Stones, The Who and millions of others !!!
What equipment do you use?
Yamaha & Roland electric pianos or a quality Grand Piano ( provided by the venue of course as I am to poor to own one ). Also, I use a variety of programs such as Native Instruments B4 II, Akoustik Piano & Miroslav Philharmonic. I record using the Protools system.
