SESSION-Piano/Keyboards/Synth

Q: Tell us about a project you worked on you are especially proud of and why. What was your role?

A: A project that I worked on that I am proud of is a so g I wrote with Aminè and Ommas Keith that was in the Spider Man movie “into the spiderverse” the song entitled “invincible”

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: I am working on my own record a lot right now

Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?

A: Phil Lassiter the trumpet player is the one who recommended me to join sound better. Phil is a master musician who has worked with Prince for many years. He is super reliable and great arranger. I only have good things to say about him as a musician and human being

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Analog, because it is more organic. It is more warm and personal. Analog reflects the players ability to effect the sound more. Which can give the player more control over the tone and sound. I like have control over the specific tones an instrument can produce. Analog makes usually feel like I can change and effect the tone in real time rather then in post production.

Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?

A: I will give you quality and quick keyboard parts for you music.

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: Music heals me. Makes me forget about all the pain life can bring. It also brings alot of joy and light into my life.

Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?

A: That I am only a jazz pianist.

Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?

A: Be specific on what you want in the track, be clear on edits you want me to make. Give me examples of keyboard players you like and the kind of piano/ keyboard playing you want on your track. For example: if you want the keyboards to sound like Ray Charles say that, or lets say you like the keyboard playing on Emerson Lake and Palmer records, or Herbie Hancock, or Stevie Wonder records, or Dangelo Records, or Cold Play. Give me well known tracks that you like the keyboard playing on and the way you want me to record on your record. I can play like any recording you give me an example of so be clear. This less clear you are with me the more I will put my own personal take on your song.

Q: If you were on a desert island and could take just 5 pieces of gear, what would they be?

A: If this desert island had no electricity I would take an acoustic piano, tuning kit, guitar ( extra strings) drum set, sheet music. If the island had electricity I would bring lap top (with all the plugins) , interface, nord stage 2 HP 88 ( that can also be used as a midi controller), RC-20 Microphone, pair of Yamaha Monitors

Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?

A: I was a child prodigy at 10 years old. I am now 28. I have been playing music for 18 years. The only job I have ever worked is music.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: My style is Heavily Jazz influence. No matter what genre I am playing or recroding I come at that style or genre with the strategy, analysis, and approach of jazz.

Q: Which artist would you like to work with and why?

A: I would love to work with Stevie Wonder because he is one of the greatest multi instrumentalist/ singers and songwriters of all time. And the way he records his vocals and synth bass. I would love to record in the studio with him and observe his process of making a record

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: The biggest one I would recommend is that Space is so important. Every part, every instrument should have its own part and fit into the production as a whole. Not too muddy of a production or song.

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Keyboards are my strongest skill. Anything with a keyboard I can make sing and flow in a song.

Q: What type of music do you usually work on?

A: Right now I have been focusing alot on Soul music. But I have worked on many kinds of genres including: Jazz, Blues, Gospel, Hiphop, Salsa, Funk, Pop, R&B, folk, Country,

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: I bring depth, soul, and pure magic to every song I record on.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: My work process is, listen to the song I am going to track on once or twice. Usually the second time listening I hear key parts that I could add. Then start tracking piano, or organ, or synth, or synth bass. Every song that I create or record on is a new track there for I adapt to the song. However, i like to pan my keys and play similar key parts twice and pan left and right to give that part a more wide and organic stereo feel.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Apollo Twin interface with UAD plugins, 2 57 mics, 1 RC-20, my analog synths prophet 08, DX7, Deep Mind 6 polyphonic synth, nord electro 2, TR-08. I have my keys set up in a semi circle and layer key parts and vocals

Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?

A: Quincy Jones, Blake Mills, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, Stevie Wonder, D’Angelo, Quest Love, Dr. Dre, J Dilla, Kanye, Pharrell, Oscar Peterson, Duke Ellington, Stravinsky, J.S. Bach, Vulf Peck, Prince, Curtis Mayfield,