I started playing keyboards as a result of my passion for the music of the Grateful Dead. When I started seeing shows, I was captivated by the sound of the Hammond Organ. It sounded like it was ALIVE! I was determined to learn how to make that sound, and play that music. When I started playing in 1991, it was with an eye toward finding kinderd spirits and play the music of the Dead. From 1991-1998, that was the focus of my playing. Around '98 I got a hankering to culitvate more of my own voice in an original project. Fortunately, in going to school on the music of the Dead, I learned to play in a variety of styles, and of course, to improvise. It was important to me that improvisation as a collective be an essential part of whatever project I participated in.
I am fortunate to find myself in a community of musicians that are among the finest people I could imgine myself associated with, in addition to being very talented, fine players.
Music has gifted me in many wonderful ways, but none more than having the opportunity to meet and marry the finest (and most talented) woman I've ever met who is my partner in music as well as life.
In addition to Hammond Organ, I also play acoustic piano, Fender Rhodes piano, Hohner Clavinet, and some synthesiser.
The "Dead" oriented projects I have played in include the following bands: Roadtrips, Roses Cantina, Reckoning, Wig Jam, Half-Step, Reflections, Dead Center All-Stars (Wetlands), Tiberius, and currently, The Electrix.
The original project I have played in include: Toni Brown Band, One-Eyed Jack, Moodras, and currently, The Katie Pearlman Band and the Ronnie Penque Band.