Blues on Canvas

Solo Piano Meditations on the Masters

I’ve spent my life chasing the echoes of the greats, those titans of the keyboard who didn’t just play notes—they told stories. Growing up, the music was more than a sound; it was a ghost that haunted the hallways of my soul. It started at age five, sitting in the hallowed pews of Preservation Hall, witnessing the raw, spiritual power of Sweet Emma Barrett. That was the spark. From that moment on, I wasn’t just listening to the blues; I was living them. I am also a painter and paintings gives me another approach to my work, and expression.

My journey took me to the Gulf Coast, to the heart of Alabama, where the humidity is thick and the music is thicker. I found myself in hotel lobbies, a lone man at a piano, playing for a wandering congregation of souls—travelers from the frozen plains of Minnesota and the far reaches of Canada, all looking for a piece of the South to take home. They’d call out requests, and I’d dig deep into the well of tradition. I’d summon the spirit of W.C. Handy, the father of the blues, and find my own way through the architecture of “St. Louis Blues.”

I’ve been blessed to walk among giants. I’ve shared stages with the architect himself, Little Richard, and the wild man, Jerry Lee Lewis. I’ve traded stories and songs with Willie Nelson—we even cut a version of “Crazy” that still resonates in my bones. I’ve felt the New Orleans heat at Jazz Fest, soaked in the genius of Professor Longhair, and sat at the feet of Dr. John and Jon Cleary. These men weren’t just influences; they were North Stars.

But the industry has changed. The digital world is a cold place for a bluesman, where streaming platforms offer pennies for a lifetime of craft. That’s why I’ve brought Blues on Canvas to Bandcamp. It’s a direct line between my hands and your ears. On Bandcamp, your support stays with the artist. A single track is $1.50, and the whole album—this collection of solo piano meditations I poured my heart into—is seven dollars. But the beauty of it is, if the music speaks to you, you can pay whatever your heart dictates.

It’s just me and the keys, stripping away the noise to find the truth in the melody. It’s the music that kept me company in Alabama, and it’s the music I want to share with you now.

Listen to Blues on Canvas on Bandcamp

My Favorites from the Album:

• “St. Louis Blues”: Paying homage to W.C. Handy is like shaking hands with history. I tried to capture that bridge between the Delta and the city.

• “Crazy”: Playing this with Willie was a highlight of my life. Bringing it to the solo piano allowed me to explore the quiet loneliness at the heart of that melody.

• The New Orleans Meditations: Every time my left hand starts that rolling boogie, I’m thinking of James Booker and Fess. It’s the heartbeat of the Crescent City, even when you’re miles away.

Which of these legends speaks most to your soul? Is it the fire of Jerry Lee or the sophisticated soul of Allen Toussaint

In 2013 I was nominated for piano player of the year at the Maple blues awards all across Canada.

Complete list of tracks on the CD

1.A Change Gonna Come 03:42

2.At Last 05:12

3.Big Chief 02:00

4.Black Magic Woman 02:59

5.Blues in the Night 03:01

6.Crazy 04:00

7.Georgia On My Mind 03:53

8.Hallelujah I Love Her So 03:02

9.House of the Rising Son 03:59

10.How Long Blues 03:19

11.I Can’t Stop Loving You 03:10

12.Mess Around 02:57

13.Minnie The Moocher 02:08

14.Natural Woman 04:27

15.Rockin Pneumonia 01:58

16.St. Louis Blues 03:09

17.St. James Infirmary 02:13

18.Stagger Lee 02:29

19.Still Got the Blues 04:42

20.That’s Life 04:31

21.Tribute to Fess 03:55

22.You Don’t Know Me 02:31

I was playing keyboard and saxophone with the legendary Jon Batiste at the Library of Congress

This is a picture I painted with Dr. John and Professor Longhair.

I am also blessed with painting, when Dr. John signed my painting for an auction to benefit the public schools.

• Primary (Genres & Style): #Blues #Jazz #SoloPiano #BluesPiano #JazzPiano #PianoMusic #NewOrleansJazz #RootsMusic

• Artist Influence & Heritage: #DavidRitz #WCHandy #DrJohn #ProfessorLonghair #JamesBooker #WillieNelson #StLouisBlues #PreservationHall

• Platform & Support: #Bandcamp #SupportArtists #NewMusic #IndependentArtist #BandcampFriday #BuyMusic

• Location & Vibe: #GulfCoast #AlabamaMusic #NewOrleansMusic #JazzFest #PianoMan #BluesOnCanvas

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#Blues #Jazz #SoloPiano #Bandcamp #NewOrleans #PianoMusic #SupportLiveMusic #BluesOnCanvas #WillieNelson #DrJohn #JazzPiano #Roots #IndependentMusic