Confessions of a Keyboardist

Confessions of a Keyboardist

By Amy FrederickArtsMusicPerforming Arts
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Confessions of a Keyboardist episodes

  • Episode 27: Jarvis Sims
     
      
    Jarvis Sims
    Amy Frederick
     

    Born in Nashville TN, Jarvis Sims began his musical footing at the age of 2.  He started playing organ and keyboards at 15, serving as a church musician.  While attending Tennessee State University he accompanied the Gospel choir, New Direction.  He was also pianist in Tennessee State’s jazz band and is a member of Phi Mu Alpha Music Fraternity.  As a professional musician in Nashville , Jarvis can be heard playing for weddings, church services at Love Cathedral, banquets, jazz venues, concerts, club gigs and much more. 

    Love Cathedral Ministries

    Doing Great Things feat. Jimmy, Bernard, Greg (Spike), Marquez, Calvin

    Derrick Jackson on Organ

    Lady Antebellum | Downtown

    Yamaha MOXF Series

    Soul Vibes Collective

    The Legendary Elbernita “Twinkie” Clark

    The Clark Sisters | You Brought The Sunshine

    Enkay Ogboruche feat. Kierra Sheard | Salute

    Perfect Ear Training App

    Ashley Danyew | 75 Hymns That Teach Musical Concepts

    100 Hymns Everyone Should Learn

    Hymnary: My Soul Loves Jesus

    Beverly Crawford | Can’t Nobody Do Me Like Jesus

    Byron Cage | I Will Bless the Lord

    How To Play Preaching Chords Easily in Any Key : For Beginners

    The Tritone | The Devil’s Interval? Two Minute Music Theory #16

    Ricky Dillard | God’s Will is What I Want

    Joseph Wooten

    Directions to Love Cathedral Church

    1 hr 33 min
  • Episode 26: Winfield Cheek
     
      
    Winfield Cheek
    Amy Frederick
     

    Born in Lexington, Kentucky and Raised in Smithfield North Carolina, Winfield Cheek has run the highs and lows of the Music Business.  A Professional Musician at age 10, Winfield started his musical journey as a Drummer!  Taking Piano lessons on the side and by High School he was playing Keyboards and Guitar in Bands.  A professional musician for over 40 years he has performed with Artists such as Black Oak Arkansas, Jim Ed Brown, Hellen Cornelius and Margo Smith. Of special note, he performed on the Grand ol Opry with Jim Ed Brown in the Mid 80's.  He is currently touring with the Texas Swamp Pop Sensation known as Shinyribs, based in Austin, Texas where he is belovedly known as the Forrest Gump of Rock n Roll!  Available for Weddings and Bar Mitzvahs 

    Texas Music Scene Trouble Trouble

    Texas Music Scene Lime Juice & Despair


    How Shinyribs Became Texas’ Hottest Band

    Shinyribs

    Shinyribs | Tub Gut Stomp and the Red- Eyed Soul

    Jim Ed Brown, Helen Cornelius | I Don’t Want to Have to Marry You

    Shinyribs at Austin City Limits | Song of Lime Juice and Despair

    Shinyribs at Austin City Limits | East Texas Rust

    Robert Earl Keen

    John Thompson’s Modern Course for the Piano

    Love Disco | Lenny Fontana and DJ Alexia

    CBGB

    The Legendary Alley Studios

    Casper Rawls

    Red Young

    Sandy Beaches Cruises

    Armadillo Christmas Bizarre | Pianorama 2016

    No Jazz Fest

    Shinyribs at Brooklyn Bowl Tickets

    1 hr 55 min
  • Episode 25: Jon Ross
     
      
    Jon Ross
    Amy Frederick
     

    Nashville-based Jon Ross is an independent singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and bridge builder. Placing your journey as the listener at the center of his work, Ross weaves clever arrangements and gentle humor with a true rock n roll instinct to both entertain you and bring you from here to better.

    Jon was born and raised in the Chicago area, began his musical training in 1976 with piano lessons, and has gone on to become an accomplished pianist, vocalist, songwriter, drummer/percussionist, composer/arranger, conductor, and educator. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Music Education degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, and his Master of Music in Band Conducting from the University of Kansas. Jon has always enjoyed working with kids and has been a professional educator for more than 25 years. 

    Although he started out on piano, Ross cycled through an array of instruments (drums, violin, trumpet) before circling back to piano for composition. When music brought him to Music City, he deepened his commitment to his own creative path, leaving the security of full-time work behind, but gaining flexibility and energy.

    In 2017 Ross released his first EP, Keep on Playin’, featuring six tracks.  (The title track, incidentally, was written the day after the Chicago Cubs came from behind in the 9th inning to advance to the 2016 Championship Series.) The cabaret-twists of Billy Joel and Ben Folds are obvious comparisons in Ross’ music. Less obvious? Phil Collins (in the Genesis era), his biggest musical influence.

    His second album entitled Journey Through Life Vol. 1 was released in August of 2019 and was very well received by his listeners.

    In addition to performing his music in the Nashville area and online (via Facebook live stream), Jon is also a cast member of Nashville-based ‘80s and ‘90s cover band Rubiks Groove, and he also operates his own private lesson studio.

    A direct line to his ear is always available to his fans and followers. Newsletters, blog posts, and social media are more than just a way of sharing information. They are how Ross communicates his vision of a more balanced world – one infused with more art, where the heaviness of life is only part of the story. And in that world, there’s you, feeling decidedly better at the end of the show than when it began.

    Jon lives in Antioch with his wife and two daughters. When not teaching, performing or writing, Jon enjoys date nights with his wife, taking his family on out-of-town trips, watching movies, playing with model trains, and, of course, rooting for the Chicago Cubs. 


    Jon Ross Musician

    Jon Ross Patreon

    The Music Institute of Chicago | Winnetka

    Casio CZ-5000

    George Gershwin | Rhapsody in Blue

    Band Directors: Education’s Toughest Job?

    Finale Music

    Rubiks Groove

    Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Leonardo

    Rubiks Groove Live

    Roland D-50

    Voicelive Touch 2

    Complete Facebook Live Toolkit for Musicians

    Music Launch Hub

    Shannon Curtis | House Concert Book

    National Endowment for The Arts

    MLB | The Cubs

    1 hr 55 min
  • Episode 24: Debbie Andrews
     
      
    Debbie Andrews
    Amy Frederick
     

    Debbie Andrews was born and raised in Detroit.  She began playing piano as a child and entered the rock world as a singer in a production of Hair.  After touring the country with some cover bands, she moved to New York where she entertained guests at the Waldorf singing and playing piano for several years.  She is the co-author of a rock musical called Barcode which was staged at the New York Fringe Festival in 2013.  Currently she serves as songwriter, singer and keyboardist for her band Gladshot.  Gladshot has three recordings (Burn Up & Shine, Maxwell’s Cool Demon, These Are Vitamins) with a fourth on the way, and has toured regionally and placed several songs on television and movies.

    Gladshot

    Gladshot | Barcode

    Blues GR with Shaun Murphy

    National Endowment for the Arts

    Historic Detroit Grande Ballroom

    Hair the Musical

    Allegro Interview with Debbie Andrews

    Rod Argent

    The Wynton Kelly Collection

    On The Road

    Waldorf Astoria

    Fazioli

    About the Artists | Barcode

    John Agnello

    James Rado ASCAP Interview

    Joanne Brackeen Jazz

    1 hr 52 min
  • Episode 23: Tyson Leslie
     
      
    Tyson Leslie
    Amy Frederick
     

    Tyson Leslie grew up in Colorado and Kansas City, Missouri.  As a young boy, he won a talent show playing piano and used the prize money to buy a guitar. Up until moving to Nashville in 2015 he played keyboards, bass, drums and guitar in many bands including Pomeroy, a Kansas City-based band that toured the United States opening for countless national acts.  After relocating to Nashville, he worked for country singer Tracy Lawrence and became a regular dueling pianist at Dick’s Last Resort. He also became the keyboard coordinator for Tom Hurst’s Loud Jamz, a monthly professional musician’s jam show which led him to create a similar outlet for metal music performance called Rare Hare.

    Rare Hare has brought together hundreds of musicians from different backgrounds to raise money for local charities. The shows have become legendary among musicians for their energy, creativity and connection-making potential. Through Rare Hare, Tyson has fulfilled many dreams of playing with his musical heroes and in 2017, he became keyboardist and tour manager for the rock band Vixen.  When he isn’t touring with them, he plays in various bands, records and writes music,  and hangs out with Star and his children.  

    Tyson Leslie Bandcamp

    Tyson Leslie Instagram

    Tyson Leslie Twitter

    Tyson Leslie Facebook

    Rare Hare Facebook

    Vixen Official

    Shiprocked

    Monsters of Rock Cruise

    Megan Jane Music

    Beth Garner

    Tom Hurst Presents Loud Jamz

    Rich Redmond

    Chris Nix Interview

    Big Wreck | The Oaf

    Pomeroy Live | Elevate

    Thee Rock N Roll Residency

    The Big Rock Show Band

    Megadeth

    Big Shotz Nashville

    The Big Bang Bar

    Vintage Synth

    Live at The Acropolis

    Rory Hoffman TEDxNashville Salon

    2 hr 2 min
  • Episode 22: John Mattick
     
      
    John Mattick
    Amy Frederick
     

    Keyboard Success

    Nashville Musicians | John Mattick

    An Inside Look at the Classic Tones of the Ampeg Heritage B15

    Billy Sheehan

    James Wozniak | The Buffalo News

    Jimmy Calire

    Paul Franklin

    Beethoven: Symphony No. 7 | Ozawa Boston Symphony Orchestra

    Dirty Dancing in Live Concert, 1988

    Alabama | Dixieland Delight

    Billboard | August 29, 1998

    Ed Bruce | Live at Church Street Station

    The Buffalo Touch

    Chris Carpenter Music

    Markey Blue Ric Latina Project

    The Young and The Restless

    2 hr 6 min
  • Episode 21: Brad Bietry
     
      
    Brad Bietry
    Amy Frederick
     

    Brad Bietry is a jazz pianist/composer/producer/songwriter/jazz piano teacher based out of Nashville, TN.   Brad was born and raised in Lima, Ohio. He has studied at Berklee College Music, University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory Of Music and Denver University studying jazz piano, composition, and arranging.  He started touring at the age of nineteen with The Continental Singers and Brass, The Spurrlows, Carnival, Princess, and Norwegian Cruise Lines.  While at Berklee, he won the 1997 Berklee Jazz Pianist Award.  

    Brad moved to Orlando, FL in 1998 and worked at several large churches as pianist/arranger/orchestra leader, and performed in different groups all over FL. Brad toured internationally with well-known Praise & Worship leader Ron Kenoly as his Musical Director/Keyboardist/Arranger in 2002. In 2003, he won an audition to join the USAF Academy Band in Colorado Springs as the pianist for The Falconaires Jazz Ensemble performing all over the U.S.  He has extensive recording experience with the USAF, and under his own name.  He has performed in prestigious concert halls all over the world including Carnegie Hall in NYC, and Royal Albert Hall in London. Brad has performed with Joe Walsh, Kevin Mahogany, John Fedchock, Mike Davis from the Rolling Stones, Sandy Patty, Wayne Watson, Scott Wesley Brown, Dennis Jernigan, and jazz artists such as The New York Voices, James Moody, and many others.

    Brad’s 2017 single, “I Don’t Wanna Live Without You Today,” and albums “Speak Like A Bostonian,” ”The Quest,"  and “Skylark,” are available for purchase on his website, www.bradbietry.com. 

    Brad Bietry

    Brad Bietry | Video Reel

    Don Hurless

    Don Hurless Obituary

    Fame | Sho Sho Sho Shorofsky

    Yamaha DX7

    Bowling Green State University | Summer Music Institute

    University of Cincinnati | College Conservatory of Music

    20 Advanced Jazz Standards

    Phil DeGreg

    Ron Kenoly

    Air Force Bands | The Falconaires

    Charlie Banacos

    Donna E Scott

    Alf Clausen

    1 hr 49 min
  • Episode 20: Kira Small
     
      
    Kira Small
    Amy Frederick
     

    Kira Small is a nationally touring singer-songwriter, recording artist, pianist and self-professed “singer nerd”. She is a 2018 Rocky Mountain Folks Fest Songwriter Showcase Winner, 2015 International Songwriting Competition Finalist, and a 2012 Independent Music Awards winner. Her resume also includes a stint on Berklee College of Music’s voice faculty, back-up vocalist for Lynda Carter (yes, Wonder Woman) and Martina McBride's Joy of Christmas Tours, and studio work with Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, Martina McBride, Ray Price, Peter Frampton, Wynonna Judd and more. Her most recent album 3 AM was released in June 2016. She lives in Nashville with her husband and two yoga-practicing cats.

    Kira Small

    Kira Small Music | Facebook

    Kira Small Music | Instagram

    Kira Small Music | YouTube

    Kira Small Music | Spotify

    Rocky Mountain Folks Festival

    Jack Wagner | All I Need

    What is Solfege?

    Penny Goodwin | Too Soon You’re Old

    Sam Steffke

    Summerfest

    Pat O’Brien’s New Orleans

    Donn’s Depot

    Bruce Dees

    Clayton Ivey

    Danny Mitchell

    Jan Shapiro | Berklee Online

    Country Music Hall of Fame | Tribute to Bergen White

    Acapella App

    Music for Seniors

    Kira Small Meets Hall & Oates

    1 hr 29 min

About Confessions of a Keyboardist

From the publisher's feed

Speaking with keyboard players about their craft