The Keyboard Chronicles

Yaron Gershovsky is an internationally acclaimed pianist, keyboardist, arranger, composer, and producer. We attempt to cover Yaron’s amazing career, from his start in Israel and his initial gigs with jazz saxophonist Pharoah Sanders, through to his work with Wayne Shorter and his long-standing tenure as MD with The Manhattan Transfer. Add in some discussions about Broadway musicals, his rece...

Kory Caudill is a keyboardist and composer from eastern Kentucky. After a musical journey with varied artists, he’s currently part of Tyler Childer’s band. He has also made a mark with his critically acclaimed solo projects, including the Grammy-nominated album “Tree of Life”. With special guest co-host Steve Nathan , we chat on all that plus his work on projects  like the “Concert for...

Steven Reid Williams is a British keyboardist, pianist, and songwriter who currently plays for UK and Australian pop legend Leo Sayer and 80s icon Paul Young, while also contributing as a session musician to artists such as Melanie C, Rebecca Ferguson, Lulu, and Nadine Coyle. Add to that his solo creative output and his work with The Overtones, and there’s lots to discuss. To listen / watch:...

In this second part of our interview with Roger O’Donnell, we dive deeper into Roger’s time with The Cure by walking through each Cure album Roger worked on in reverse order. We also chat on composing for ballet, a great on-stage train wreck and a whole lot more. Watch Part 1 here . To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the...

Roger O’Donnell is a long-serving member of The Cure, shaping their sound for coming up to 40 years (with a couple of breaks). Aside from that critical role, Roger formerly held down keys duties with The Psychedelic Furs, Thompson Twins and Berlin. Add to that his incredible solo output and you have a fascinating guest for the show. In Part 1 we cover off Roger’s early career, musical...

Thorsten Quaeschning is a German composer, multi-instrumentalist, and musical director. We talk to him about his new album in collaboration with Steve Rothery, his role as the leader of the legendary electronic group Tangerine Dream, and his career more broadly.  To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the embedded video below or check it...

In this engaging conversation, Otmaro Ruiz shares insights into his musical journey, from his upbringing and early influences to his teaching philosophy and collaborations with renowned artists, including Dianne Reeves, Alex Acuna, Abraham Laboriel, Justo Almario, Gino Vanelli, John McLaughlin, and Protocol – Simon Phillips. He discusses the challenges of adapting his music for live performa...

In Part 2 we move on to Toby’s work with Belinda Carlisle, Cher, Tom Jones, Tina Arena, Aqua, boy bands, Rick Astley and a whole bunch more. Do check out Part 1 here . To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel Discussion topics covered during the sho...

Toby Chapman continues to be the go-to player for a range of artists, and as you’ll hear in both parts of this interview, the number of collaborations is impressive. We were lucky to nail down Toby for a chat, and in this first instalment we cover off his time with Crispian St Peters, Patricia Kaas, Style Council / Tracey Thorn and of course his five years with Spandau Ballet during their pe...

If ever there was an episode that is impossible to describe in a few words, it’s this one. Bobby Ogdin has hundreds of sessions and live performances to his name across literally hundreds of artists. We attempt to cover just a fraction of that with Bobby and what a privilege it was. From Bobby’s backing of Elvis Presley during his last 45 shows, through to his multi-decade session care...

Dom Beken is a BAFTA-nominated composer and musician, who is currently the keyboardist for Nick Mason’s Saucerful of Secrets, where he performs alongside members of Pink Floyd and Spandau Ballet. Dom has also contributed his keyboard talents to bands such as The Orb, Transit Kings, and High Frequency Bandwidth, and is currently part of the project KillerStar alongside former members of David Bowie...

What a career Monty Oxymoron has had, and continues to have. We cover everything from the early days of Dr Spacetoad and Punk Floyd, his longstanding collaboration and friendship with Captain Sensible and his near 30-year stint with The Damned. And then there’s Monty’s parallel career as a psychiatric nurse. Strap in for a super interesting chat. To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on...

Freyja Garbett strides across genres as easily she does the keyboards she plays. That makes for an interesting chat as we move between rock, soul, Afrobeat, funk, jazz and a lot more. Lots to enjoy here! To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel Discussion...

We catch up with John Maul, who aside from an impressive and ongoing career as musical director and keyboard player, is also still working in the musicial instrument industry itself. We cover both aspects of John’s work, alongside guest co-host Damon McMahon. Lots of fun in this one! To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the embed...

It’s nearly impossible to pigeon-hole Brittany Davis musically, and you’ll hear why during this interview. Brittany is nothing short of a force of nature and her perspective on music, creativity and life in general. Whether you know Brittany’s work or not, this is an interview not to miss. To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Vide...

Andrew Roachford is an accleimd singer and piano / keyboard player, who aside from fronting his own outfit Roachford, is also an in-demand session musician and core part of the current line-up of Mike and the Mechanics. Before he hit Australia for a tour, we caught up with Andrew for a chat on all of that plus some. To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above,...

In Part 2 of our interview with Jordan ( check out Part 1 here ), we cover off a memorable ‘train wreck’,  go through some audience questions, cover off Jordan’s desert island discs and a whole lot more. To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube...

We can’t think of a better way to celebrate 150 episodes than by bringing the first part of a two-part interview with Jordan Rudess. Whether you’re a fan of Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment or Jordan’s playing more broadly, there’s lots to enjoy in this episode. In Part 1 we delve pretty deeply into AI and music, Jordan’s musical upbringing, the current Dream...

Andy Ross is a pivotal part of OK Go, both band and online phenomenon. We speak with Andy on his career to date, upcoming works and a lot more. To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab)...

We caught up with Robbie as he was in throes of releasing the first three of ten solo albums he’s releasing this year. We talk on the creative processes surrounding that, music and education more broadly, and also cover off some interesting ground during the various times Robbie has toured with other notable musicians. To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio play...

We’re super pleased to have Mitch Towne back on the show, to give an update on his work since our last interview (including his great new album Refuge), as well as taking a decent dive into the Viscount Legend One. Lots to enjoy here! To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes...

Kerry Minnear is one of the most cited inspirations we hear from our guests, and with good reason. Kerry’s work was and is groundbreaking, and we had the pleasure of covering some fascinating ground. Listening to this extremely humble pioneer and innovator is an hour very well spent. To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the embed...

Andy Bown has been Status Quo’s keyboard player for more than 45 years, and that alongside his other collaborations and solo albums makes him one insightful guest. In addition to insights there’s plenty of laughs as well – what more could you want? To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the embedded video below or check...

Clyde Lawrence had already been on our radar thanks to co-host Paul, and the desire to speak with Clyde was cemented after seeing the band Lawrence perform live in Australia earlier this year. We chat to Clyde on his amazing career to date, some great road stories and some insightful perspectives from a player whose career has a long way to run. To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play but...

Jeff Frankenstein has clocked up a couple of decades with Newsboys and shows no signs of slowing down. We cover off Jeff’s career to date, recent gigs and some brilliant road stories to boot. To listen / watch: Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel Discussion topic...