Member Since: 6/27/2006
Band Members: Peter Kadar, keys & vox
Influences: Tony Banks, Oscar Peterson, Jimmy Smith, Greg Phillinganes, George Duke, anything P-Funk, Stevie, Elton John, Billy Joel, Keith Emerson, Ray Charles, Art Tatum, all the New Orleans cats like Dr. John, James Booker, Professor Longhair, Harry Connick Jr. up to Henry Butler. Bruce Hornsby, Hank Jones, Red Garland, Herbie, and all the old boogie woogie piano greats like Albert Ammons, Pete Johnson, and Meade Lux Lewis, and Detroit cats like Bob Seeley and Mr. B. Also gotta give a shout out to Bill Heid, and other B3 cats like Doug Riley, Joey DeFrancesco, Groove Holmes, and Jimmy McGriff. Country session aces Matt Rollings and John Barlow Jarvis, Benmont Tench from Tom Petty's Heartbreakers. Electronica composers BT and Squarepusher, plus almost any 80's synth artist. Can't forget Jordan Rudess. Literally dozens of other great blues and jazz cats from all over, and also to some heavy Toronto cats who keep the inspiration strong, guys like Fingaz, Andrew Craig, Robi Botos, Joel Joseph, Mike Shand, Laila Biali, Michael Kaeshammer, Toad, Peter Nunn, Hilario Duran, Jesse O'Brien, Don Thompson, Steve O'Connor, and Jake Payne. Also, two people who have helped and shaped me over the years - I gotta give a special shout out to my voice instructor of six years, Mr. Alan Reid, and last but certainly not least, the Master Barry Harris.
Sounds Like: Depends on the setting. I strive for absolute authenticity and tone in whatever situation I find myself in. Having said that, I feel my approach stems from a strong background in blues, and it is my opinion that almost every kind of music we hear in North America comes one way or another from the blues. If you can play the blues, every other style will fall into place; gospel, jazz, hip hop, country, rock, whatever.
Type of Label: None