Current Bands;
The Drunken Clams Band
SYN-X
I began my music career with an attempt at becoming a drummer. Though I excelled at it exceptionally well, my parents would have no part of it. By the 4th Grade, I had quickly out grown my Kiss phase when I discovered such bands as Emerson Lake and Palmer, Black Sabbath, and Led Zeppelin. It was however; Emerson Lake and Palmer, most importantly Keith Emerson, that led me to start piano lessons at the age of 10. Again, not much support at home but, I persevered even buying my very first piano, a Yamaha CP-10 with paper route and birthday money as there was no piano at home. I would take the Kennedy Blvd. bus from 87th Street in North Bergen to Pastore Music 32nd street in Union City every Saturday afternoon for my lesson. I did this for 4 years practicing on a rental air organ that sounded like, well you know what. During high school, I continued to search out any teacher who would provide lessons cheaply or for free. Throughout High School I continued to study Classical Piano and transcribe by ear and site read ELP and Classical Compositions. By the age of 14, I purchased my first Moog Synthesizer, The Moog Rogue and started writing my own songs and instrumentals of what I now feel was early Progressive Metal and Neo-Classical. Towards the end of high school and after playing with several garage bands in school shows, I landed in a local band with a backing and demo deal. It allotted me the opportunity to record in world class studios such as Sugar Hill Records, H & L Studios and Grand Slam Studios. Though it never progressed, it was a great experience and I knew by then what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. After high school I had the hopes and aspirations to go onto college so as to study audio engineering and music. Unfortunately, I just could not find the means to realize my dream and had to find a fast track to a career so as to support myself. I went on to perform studio session work and sound reinforcement for local bands demos and shows and played in several bar bands including even one recording act. I also began a very long stretch of studying Jazz Piano for several years. By my early thirties as an established and successful I.T. Professional and later Professional Firefighter, I realized that my dream of making it in the music business was a fading aspiration. However, I continued to play with local cover bands and still do to this day. My influences include; ELP, Dream Theater, UFO, Sons of Apollo, Angel, Yes, Black Sabbath, Rainbow, Metal Church, Thin Lizzy, Led Zeppelin, Malmstein, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Beethoven, Bach, Chopin, and dozens of rock bands, way too much to mention in this small space. I am available for working cover bands and studio session work for original acts. I’ve also completed a decade long project of recording my all original compositions of Progressive Metal and Neo-Classical which can be listened too on this web site via the links under Music and Videos. If you’re looking for a dedicated; down to earth keyboardists who can play, read music, and transcribe, please feel free to contact me.
Henry