I've been playing piano, Hammond B3, Fender Rhodes, Wurly 200A, and D6 clavinet for over 30 years. This is what I do. My roots are in the blues, soul, funk, and groove
I have recorded a bunch of original tunes where, for better or worse, I play all the parts (check out "Rude Dog," "String Theory," and "Blue Fez" ) These days seem to be opening up with new music on every horizon. Check out "Rock On" - a monster jam with Erick Slick on drums, Ed Wilson leading the show, and Joe Kramer pychedelicizing the guitar.
I am playing now with a brand new talent - WILLIAMSBOY (aka, Matt "Billy" Williams). The sound is best described as Steve Earle meets Tom Petty and Son Volt over at Tom Waits' house. Since music beats words, check out "ANALOG" and "YO MOMMA" up top... Our first show at JOHN and PETERS in New Hope on May 10th was a blast. So you won't want to miss upcoming shows at the TIN ANGEL, GODFREY DANIELS, and JOHN & PETERS. .
You will find me playing with the house band led by JOE VADALA (La Bamba and the Hubcaps), with Jerry Monk and Marty Paglione at HAVANA, in New Hope, PA every Tuesday night (check out "Tupelo Homey"). I am also playing with the house band at TRIUMPH BREWERY in New Hope every Wednesday night with a killer Philly funk band starring Mark Walsh, the guitar player for Philly Funk Authority and Sister Sledge.
Last year, I worked with that soulful Philadelphia legend, FRANK BEY, witin with a house rocking gig at the CAPE MAY JAZZ FESTIVAL (check out "Imagine"), followed by a weekend of sellout shows at Philly's famous WARMDADDY'S blues club.
Before that, I held down the Hammond B3 seat with THE BLACK WIDOW BLUES BAND for 6 years until the untimely death of its band leader, Larry Lacasta.(check out video clip of "Cantaloupe Island")
Over the past years, I held down the New Orleans piano bench with The VooDUDES, and the 'jump seat' with the Tonemasters. From Chicago to New York to Key West , I have played with Big Walter Horton, TM Stevens (John McLaughlin, Shocka Zooloo,), Duke Williams (Duke Williams and The Extremes, Grace Jones), Chuck Treece (Urge Overkill, McRad), Buddy Deppenschmidt (Stan Getz, Charlie Byrd), Chris Cook, Paul Deakin (Mavericks), Drake Leonard, Sunnyland Slim, Valerie Wellington (rest in peace, baby), Sugar Blue (The Rolling Stones), Larry Baeder (Bo Diddley, Paul Simon), Tom Spiker (Tania Alexander, Frank Bey), Mike Tyler (Billy Joel, Mary Wilson, The Rolling Stones), Dennis Diken (The Smithereens), Sam Reed (Wilson Pickett, Laura Nyro, Dusty Springfield), Richard Crooks (Bob Dylan, Paul Simon), Barry Cuda, Kenny Fradley (Kid Creole & The Coconuts, Youssou N'Dour, U2), Eric Slick (Adrian Belew), Paul Deakin (The Mavericks), Lisa Bouchelle, Glenn McClelland (BS&T, Ween), Mike McAdam (Steve Earle), Hal Selzer (Gary U.S. Bonds, Lisa Bouchelle), Jack Freudenheim (46bliss), Bruce Engler (Downtown Mystic), Big Nancy Swarbrick (Pinetop Perkins, Warren Haynes), Ray Ellis, Bettye LaVette (what more can you say...), Dave Dreiwitz (Ween), Calvin Weston (Ornette Coleman, James Blood Ulmer), Dirk Westervelt (Anthony Braxton, Thomas Mapfuno), Mickey Melchiondo, (Ween), Gregg Cagno, and countless other denizens of the night.
Played in a million gin mills including The Green Parrot, Hog's Breath Saloon, Sloppy Joe's, Puck Live, The Boiler Room, Crossroads, The Stone Pony, B.B. Kings, The Kingston Mines, B.L.U.E.S. (Chicago), Wonderbar, Warmdaddy's, John & Peter's, Havana, and about a million more no 'count joints.
DEDICATED to LARRY LACASTA NORMAN: A great tenor sax player, and the last of the big boss honkers and bar walkers.
“COME ON BAND!†Rest In Peace my brother.Check out FOR THE MUSIC ONLY . This is a not-for-profit concert venue Julie and I created to support musicians of nearly every stripe and style: Jazz, rock, reggae, funk, classical, and singer songwriters. The only mandate is that you play your music well and with heart. We hope that all of you who play music, will take advantage of our venue. We hope that all of you who love and support live music, will come on down to NEW HOPE, PA to listen, dance, enjoy, and support FOR THE MUSIC ONLY
