Santa Barbara Pianist

This multi-talented musician has a huge repertoire and is a wonderful addition to any event.  His repertoire includes show tunes, R&B, jazz, blues, funk, soul and more.

Pianist 1 was born in Santa Barbara, but after growing up mainly in the Inland Empire, and lots of travel, eight years in Boston and twenty years in Los Angeles, he returned full circle to Santa Barbara in 2002. He studied music at UC Riverside and U Mass Boston in the 1970s. His performing experience includes gigs with jazz piano and latin music artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Oscar Stagnaro, Justo Almario, Luis Conte, Alex Acuna, Michito Sanchez, Nate Birkey and Cougar Estrada.

Show Tunes Pop Music

He has toured with artists such as the Pointer Sisters, Donald O'Connor, and Eddie Fisher. He served as music director for high school productions of "West Side Story," "Most Happy Fella," "Guys & Dolls" and "Kiss Me Kate." He has recorded extensively in commercial and artistic settings, including original solo piano works, accompanying singers in original songs and songs by other composers, and albums by jazz and latin music artists. In the 1980s he worked with Chiltic Istac, a Salvadoran nueva cancion band in the Central American solidarity movement and in the 1990s with LA's popular Cuban charanga band, Charangoa.

Jazz Rock, Funk and Blues

In addition, regularly performs locally as a solo pianist and with singers and bands such as Laura Schlieske (jazz/rock & roll), YogiMango (New Orleans rock & funk), and Lady Blue & the Roadhouse Daddies (blues). He is currently involved as arranger/pianist in recording projects with several Santa Barbara singers, including Stephanie Sivers, with LA smooth jazz band, Present Tense, and the newly formed SONGON (latin–jazz). He plays gospel piano for the Inner Light Community Gospel Choir, the Santa Barbara Soul Choir, and Light of Christ Baptist Church in Goleta.

Since 2003 he has worked as a substitute teacher and music teacher in Santa Barbara and Goleta schools. He is on staff at SB City College adult ed as accompanist and music teacher. He directs the award–winning Goleta Valley Junior High School advanced jazz band.