rick wakeman
Rick Wakeman was born in May of 1949 in Perivale, Middlesex, England, UK. From a young age he was classically trained on piano and played in his local school bands as a keyboardist. His name became known when he contributed on several of David Bowie’s songs and albums, his first single being “Space Oddity”. Wakeman took off as an artist after his first of many Bowie contributions, now being known as a keyboardist, songwriter, television presenter and author. He is best known for being in the progressive rock band Yes across five tenures between 1971 and 2004. Wakeman has earned himself a reputation as one of rock's greatest ever keyboardists.
jerry lee lewis
Jerry Lee Lewis is a piano-playing rock ’n roll pioneer famous for his high energy stage presence and controversial life. Jerry was born on September 29, 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana. Teaching himself to play piano at 9 years old, he molded his playing style around preachers and similar musicians, his inspirations originating while he sung in his local church choir. With little educational background, he recorded his first single in 1956 while jamming with Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash! In 1957, Jerry became a star with his unique piano-driven sound. He had such energy and enthusiasm in his performances that he earned the nickname “The Killer” for the way he knocked out his audiences. Eventually being Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1986.
bill evans
Evans was born August 16, 1929 in New Jersey. He was an American jazz pianist and composer who mostly worked in trio’s. His impressionist harmony, intensive interpretation of traditional jazz, and block cords have inspired many jazz pianists today. Evans was classically trained and studied at majored in composition throughout his college education. In 1958 Evans recorded the best-selling jazz album of all time, Kind of Blue. Throughout his career Evans went in and out of different trios and groups, including the Miles Davis band, Scott LaFaro and Paul Motain, and Eddie Gomez. Finishing his career with recording his last studio album, We Will Meet Again, winning a Grammy award in 1981.
stevie wonder
Stevie Wonder was born in Michigan in 1950, he was born with an eye disorder, due to receiving too much oxygen in an incubator, leading to total blindness. His loss of sight enhanced his hearing and made him work twice as hard sometimes to obtain the same goals and levels as other musicians, but with tons of practice he made it look easy! He was a singer, songwriter and multi instrumentalist, making his recording rebut at only 11 years old eventually becoming one of the most creative musical figures of the late 20th century! He showed his gift for music early though, learning instruments such as harmonica, piano and drums all self taught before the age of 10. He was the youngest artist to ever top the chart, and the first in history to top the pop charts and R&B simultaneously. Wonder was known overall for his trademark hairdo, sunglasses, and he plays the chromatic harmonica. Over 52 years he has received 25 Grammy’s, a Lifetime Achievement Award, an Oscar and Golden Globe for best song, an Emmy and several others. Along with being inducted into several hall of fames, including the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1983, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1989, and the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame in 2011. Stevie Wonder will forever be known as a pioneer in music a philanthropist, and a messenger of peace addressing controversies in music which very few artists did at that time.
richard wright
Richard Wright was an English musician, composer, singer and songwriter although never settling on one definitive instrument. Wright was not only a founding member, but a keyboardist and vocalist of the rock band, Pink Floyd, establishing in 1965 after performing several local gigs and small shows. Wright wrote his own material, preferring to create an entire album of music with a theme, rather than song by song.
