Musical Journey

The Oz and Ends

After Cornell, up in Ithaca, New York, I put together my first real group — a college-circuit band we called The Oz and Ends. We worked the eastern college scene for six years, built a devoted little following, and that’s where I cut my teeth as a frontman and a keyboard player.

Glory River and Electric Lady Studios

I formed Glory River, and Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady Productions signed us to a recording contract in New York City. Being in the orbit of an artist that visionary planted the seed for how I’ve played ever since: cross any genre you like, but keep a rock and roll heart.

Van Morrison

I moved out to California and joined Van Morrison’s band on keyboards. Playing behind a voice like that is a masterclass — in dynamics, in feel, and in learning to serve the song instead of stepping on it.

Clarence Clemons, Greg Kihn and More

I kept building a reputation as a touring and session keyboardist, working with Clarence Clemons of Bruce Springsteen’s E Street Band, rocker Greg Kihn, Gene Clark of The Byrds, and Jesse Colin Young. Every one of those gigs stretched my range a little further — rock, R&B, and whatever the song asked for.

The Jerry Garcia Band

In October 1979 I joined the Jerry Garcia Band on electric piano and synthesizer, alongside Jerry Garcia (guitar and vocals), John Kahn (bass), and Johnny de Fonseca (drums). From the first show at Keystone Berkeley on October 7, 1979 through the final gig on March 27, 1980, we played some of the most celebrated nights in the Garcia catalog. The March 1, 1980 show at the Capitol Theatre and the February 28, 1980 set at Kean College came out later as official live albums — the four of us at our best: loose, locked in, and stretching out on covers and originals alike.

The legendary March 1, 1980 show at the Capitol Theatre and the February 28, 1980 performance at Kean College were later released as official live albums, capturing the foursome at their best: loose, locked in, and stretching out on covers and originals alike.

GarciaLive Vol. 1After Midnight: Kean CollegeGarciaLive Vol. 4Garcia Plays Dylan

Gumby: The Movie and Film Scoring

In 1990, Gumby creator Art Clokey hired me to write and produce the music for the cult classic Gumby: The Movie (released in 1995). I brought in Craig Chaquico of Jefferson Starship to play lead guitar, and I wrote the featured songs. That’s the door that opened my film and television scoring work — eventually putting music on HBO’s The Sopranos and Big Love.

Craig Chaquico: 16-Year Partnership

In 1992, Craig Chaquico — the former Jefferson Starship guitarist — and I signed with Higher Octave Records and started one of the best runs of my life. For sixteen years I was his co-writer, producer, keyboardist, and musical director for the worldwide touring band, and we made roughly ten albums together. Our 1993 debut Acoustic Highway was Billboard’s #1 Independent New Age Album of the Year. The follow-up, Acoustic Planet (1994), earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Age Album, sat at #1 on Billboard for 30 straight weeks, and — this one still makes me grin — knocked Yanni off the top spot.

Their 1993 debut Acoustic Highway was Billboard’s #1 Independent New Age Album of the Year. The follow-up Acoustic Planet (1994) earned a Grammy nomination for Best New Age Album, hit #1 on Billboard for 30 consecutive weeks, and famously dethroned Yanni from the top spot.

Acoustic Highway (1993)Acoustic Planet (1994)A Thousand Pictures (1996)Once in a Blue Universe (1997)Shadow and Light (1999)

Jimmy Dillon and Blues Work

All through the Chaquico years I kept my blues roots wet, co-writing, producing, and playing keyboards on four albums by blues artist Jimmy Dillon: Bad and Blue, The Next Frame, Rituals, and Everything. The smooth-jazz work paid well, but the blues kept me honest.

Fingerpainting: Solo Debut

My solo album Fingerpainting came out on Higher Octave Music with an all-star cast, including Jimmy Dillon on guitar. It threw off 3 Gold singles and 2 Billboard #1 hits, and the reviews were kind.

3 Gold Singles2 Billboard #1 Hits

Keyboard Instruction and Education

In 2011 I put together a 3-volume, 9-DVD keyboard course that’s sold all over the world, and I started The Keyboard Klub, a streaming webinar series that brings what I’ve picked up straight to players at every level. I’m based in Florida now — still teaching, still creating, still staying in touch with fans and fellow musicians.