Session Pianist & Keyboardist

Q: What do you like most about your job?

A: I've always believed that any form of art is a form of freedom. I compare it to the ability of facing loneliness. When I'm performing, somehow music turns me into nothing as if I melted with it, I guess I like felling elsewhere every now and then.

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

A: Compare the styles (go on the net and listen to how these musicians play), contact a few of them and compare how professional they sound, what advices they give you etc.)

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

A: Piano, Hammond, Fender, Diamonica and Seaboard (but the desert island would need to be connected to the electricity somehow :-). It's possible though that after a little while I'll ask to trade one of the instruments with a cold beer...

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

A: I have been on this magic ride for 30 years, first studied classical piano then specialised in jazz while starting touring with rock and pop artists. I also have my own Jazz-Latin Trio with whom i toured and recorded two CDs (the third is on its way and it's sounding kinda funky / smooth - jazzy so far.

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

A: Ah... so many to list. Love the rock vibe of Evanescence and Foo Fighters, love the repertoire and productions of Elton John, love the sexy sound of Jamiroquai, love everything about Stevie Wonder. I could carry on for decades.

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

A: R&B/Soul, Rock and Pop (writing hooks as well as accompanying the melody with layers). Though I am jazz trained I find there is not a lot of demand for remote jazz session work.

Q: Can you share one music production tip?

A: Layering the sounds and adjusting the pan can contribute to a thicker and nicer sounding track (that, in my experience, applies to all instruments, drums and percussion included).

Q: What's your strongest skill?

A: Piano & keyboard playing and being able to melt styles to create an original sounding track. Maybe an uncommon thing I can offer along with the usual piano & synths is Melodica and Seaboard recordings. And... I guess that offering a relaxed and laidback communication can be considered a skill too ;-)

Q: What do you bring to a song?

A: My creativity, perfect sounding tracks and whatever the clients wishes me to record. I’m also a producer so I could suggest the clients some adjustments to the track, offering them my point of view on the overall production. If I think the track is good enough I will also help promoting it on my socials.

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

A: Stevie Wonder, Martin Birch, Quincy Jones, George Martin, Jamiroquai, Evanescence, Foo Fighters, Ennio Morricone.

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

A: There have been quite a few. I have been sharing the stage with many important musicians, to name a few: the english Prog Rock band Jadis (formerly produced by the Marillion) with whom I toured for several years, Tony Jones (from the Nina Simone Band), Henry Thomas (from the Allan Holdsworth trio), the Pop-Rock artist David Steele and many more

Q: What are you working on at the moment?

A: My 3rd album and writing my first novel (not a very musical thing but ...hey literature can have some rhythm, right?

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

A: Nope, I’m a new kid on this block :-)

Q: Analog or digital and why?

A: Both, for different reasons (analog for the warmth, digital for how easy makes the production flow).

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

A: 100 % commitment and kindness.

Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?

A: I usually like to ask the clients about their projects, if they have a preferred style the want me to record (even asking for “temp tracks” whose style they like and fancy re-creating). Then I ask for the track they need me to record on, to start. Record the track and forward it to the client when it sounds flawless.

Q: How would you describe your style?

A: A melting pot.

Q: What's your typical work process?

A: I usually like to ask the clients about their projects, if they have a preferred style the want me to record (even asking for “temp tracks” whose style they like and fancy re-creating). Then I ask for the track they need me to record on, to start. Record the track and forward it to the client when it sounds flawless.

Q: Tell us about your studio setup.

A: Fully loaded Mac Pro, Cubase 10 Pro music software, Yamaha HS80M Studio Reference Monitors. Fazioli Grand Piano triggered via Ivory 2 VST, Yamaha P140, Hammond Organ, Fender Rhodes, Korg Triton, Kurzweil K2600, ROLI Seaboard, Hammond Electric Melodica. Hundreds of soft synths sounds triggered via VST instruments.

Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.

A: Piano session/live work or performances is the most common. Often I’m hired to record original keyboards parts to complement the melody (either single lines, or synth layers, pads etc.). Lately I have been noticing a grow in people asking me to record the electric Hammond Melodica (mainly solos) and the Roli Seaboard (which is an exiting new instrument that allows to mix keyboards, guitars and brass playing techniques).