The music: Groove oriented piano rock, reggae, funk, and French pop all mixed together. You can even throw in a little bossa nova on the side.
Sounds like: Ben Folds Five on Valium crossed with the Police if they were from SoCal.
Favorite hardware: I use the Yamaha S90 quite a bit. I also like the Nord Electro Stage.
Favorite keyboard song: John Lennon, “Imagine.”
Influences: The Police, Bob Marley, the Beatles, Monk, Steely Dan.
Play by ear, sight read, or both: Both.
Newest project: Step into the Future, 2007 album. Paris Bossa Nova, yet to be released. I did three bossa tracks for the indie movie The Last Word with Wynona Ryder and Ray Romano. We added two more songs and voila: an EP. Should be out in the late fall.
Favorite artist we’ve probably never heard of: Tété is a great French artist I just toured with. Delta Blues meets soul in French.
Practice regimen: When we’re not touring, I make sure to play and write at least once a day. It usually goes something like this: Warm up, sing a few songs, work on some improvisation, and then work on songs again.
Best gig experience: A sold out Crystal Ballroom in Portland, Oregon.
Worst gig experience: A Jerome, Arizona, bar with five toothless alcoholics. No offense, Jerome.
Top guilty pleasure: Coldplay. Is that a guilty pleasure? Phil Collins. Now that’s a guilty pleasure.
Most underrated keyboard player: John Medeski from MMW.
Favorite keyboard record growing up: Herbie Hancock with the Headhunters.