Musical Journey

The Oz and Ends

After attending Cornell University in Ithaca, New York, Ozzie formed his first group, a popular college circuit band called The Oz and Ends. They toured the eastern college scene for six years, building a devoted following and sharpening his chops as a frontman and keyboardist.

Glory River and Electric Lady Studios

Ozzie formed Glory River and was signed by Jimi Hendrix’s Electric Lady Productions to a recording contract in New York City. Working in the orbit of one of rock’s most visionary artists, this period planted the seeds for Ozzie’s lifelong approach: genre-defying musicianship with a rock and roll heart.

Van Morrison

Ozzie moved to California and joined Van Morrison’s band as keyboardist. Playing behind one of rock and soul’s greatest vocalists was a masterclass in dynamics, feel, and the art of serving the song.

Clarence Clemons, Greg Kihn and More

Ozzie continued to build his reputation as a versatile 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. Each collaboration deepened Ozzie’s range across rock, R&B, and beyond.

The Jerry Garcia Band

In October 1979, Ozzie joined the Jerry Garcia Band as keyboardist, playing electric piano and synthesizer alongside Jerry Garcia (guitar/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, the band delivered some of the most celebrated performances in the Garcia catalog.

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 Ozzie to write and produce the music for the cult classic Gumby: The Movie (released 1995). Ozzie brought in Craig Chaquico of Jefferson Starship to play lead guitar, and wrote the featured songs. This launched Ozzie’s film and television scoring career, eventually leading to music placements on HBO’s The Sopranos and Big Love.

Craig Chaquico: 16-Year Partnership

In 1992, Ozzie and former Jefferson Starship guitarist Craig Chaquico signed with Higher Octave Records and began one of the most commercially successful partnerships in new age and smooth jazz. Over 16 years, Ozzie served as co-writer, producer, keyboardist, and musical director for Chaquico’s worldwide touring band, recording roughly ten albums together.

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

Alongside the Chaquico partnership, Ozzie co-wrote, produced, and played keyboards for four albums by blues artist Jimmy Dillon: Bad and Blue, The Next Frame, Rituals, and Everything. These sessions kept Ozzie’s blues roots deep even as his commercial work moved toward smooth jazz.

Fingerpainting: Solo Debut

Ozzie’s solo album Fingerpainting, released on Higher Octave Music, featured an all-star cast including Jimmy Dillon on guitar. The album produced 3 Gold singles and 2 Billboard #1 hits, earning widespread critical praise.

3 Gold Singles2 Billboard #1 Hits

Keyboard Instruction and Education

In 2011, Ozzie created a 3-volume, 9-DVD keyboard instruction series that has been sold worldwide. He also launched The Keyboard Klub, a streaming webinar series bringing his decades of professional experience directly to students of all levels. Now based in Florida, Ozzie continues to teach, create, and connect with fans and fellow musicians.