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AGE. Concern
INSTRUMENT. Piano, Yamaha KX 88,Roland JV1010, 60s70s expansion board. Yamaha SY77.
Home- beautiful Kawai KX15 upright piano
JOINED THE BAND. Day one.
ANY FORMAL MUSICAL EDUCATION. Early piano lessons but mainly self taught .Passed Assocated Board
Jazz Piano grade 5 exam a few years ago (highly recomended).
Studied at the school of hard gigs!
INFLUENCES OTHER THAN STEELY DAN. Yellow Jackets/ Russell Ferrante, Keith Jarrett, Bill Evans
Warren Bernhadt Boz Scaggs, the late great Jeff Porcaro. Bad influences - Pete Bacanin, Steve Hayes, Rob Rolph.
FAVOURITE STEELY DAN SONG(S). “Deacon Blues” or it may be easier to open the Steely Dan song book on any page, see what I mean. Love the new Cd.
FAVOURITE NEARLY DAN MOMENT. 1st gig ‘97, Wheat sheaf, Glastonbury 2000, Jazz Cafe London gigs
are always a bit special as are most gigs. Playing “Aja” live was a real milestone as I remember.
PRE GIG DRINK / QUANTITY. No more than a couple of pints (not stella!) just to loosen up a bit.
ESSENTIAL LISTENING. All I got - Al Jarreau. Mint Jam - Yellow Jackets. Standards vol. 2 -Keith Jarrett.
Small Change - Tom waits. New Steely Dan of course.
COMMENT. Well what can you say? it has been a lifetime ambition to play Steely Dan songs live.
As a pianist it has been a sharp learning curve, with insight into song structure, arrangements, jazz harmony.
Myself and all of the other players have improved greatly as musicians by the whole experience.
People ask me how I keep such a large band together? It is really down to the individual members
giving their time commitment for very little money, and keeping the spirit of the band going on the road
when things don’t go to plan.
Thanks to the fans that come to see the band time and time again from all over the country.
God bless Nearly Dan and all who sail in her!
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