Musical origins: I simply love and
grew up with music, and piano
was the way my parents wanted
me to go musically. I dabbled in
drums, guitar, and bass, but piano
is where I feel most a home. I recommend
that all parents get their
kids involved in playing music —
any music — along with some
sports if they can afford it. It’s
something they can use and enjoy
for the rest of their lives.
Band: Calgary-based Incognito
[Not to be confused with the Brit
acid-jazzers of the same name. –Ed.]
is a seven-member cover band
doing gigs such as Christmas parties,
fundraisers for local charities,
and weddings. The songs we
choose need to fit three criteria:
Are they danceable, does the
majority of our audience recognize
them, and can we play them? We
cover all types of music, including
country, rock, pop, some disco,
and blues.
Influences: The Beatles, Supertramp,
the Guess Who, Roxy
Music, and Gordon Lightfoot — but
the major piano influences were
Elton John, Billy Joel, and especially
Burton Cummings. The keyboard
players for Yes make me stare in
awe and make me sick at the same
time, because they’re so good. No
matter how hard I try, I can never
achieve that level of playing.
Why I play: I once heard that
music is food for the soul. I fully
agree with that statement because
I hunger for music, and many times
just the pure joy of laying down a
few chords in a dark basement can
fill the void.
The Guess Who, Anthology (RCA)
Calgary’s Ben Fell says his favorite piano-laced tune is the Guess Who’s “Albert Flasher.”
Ben calls it “an amazing display of rolling chord changes, plus a beautiful piano solo.” You’ll find it, along with
a ton of musical gems from Burton Cummings and the boys, on the remastered two-disc set Anthology.
Connect!
Got a burning question about a B-3 — or just want to connect with the sharpest keyboard minds
on the planet? Keep up with the latest buzz in the music technology community with the
Keyboard online forums.
“My rig consists of a Roland EM-20 hooked up to a Roland KC-500 amp,” says Ben. “I also have a Roland A-90
controller keyboard with weighted keys, but mainly for personal use — it’s too large to lug to most shows. I’m
looking to upgrade my stage keyboard, as the razzing I’m getting from the other (wealthier) band members is
beginning to wear me down. They’re right though — it’s time to upgrade.”
Go See
Check out these
keyboard-heavy acts,
on tour this month.
Flaming Lips
flaminglips.com
Death Cab For Cutie
deathcabforcutie.com
The Decemberists
decemberists.com
Melody Gardot
melodygardot.com
Buckwheat Zydeco
buckwheatzydeco.com
