Episode 1: Rachel Solomon

 
 

Episode 1: Rachel Solomon

Listen to Rachel describe her process in becoming a professional keyboardist, singer and entertainer. She discusses topics such as growing up with a musical father; her Classical piano background; the influence from creative piano teachers such as Dave Limina and Bruce Katz; heroes such as Queen, Elton John, Regina Spektor, Paul McCartney and Billy Joel; the importance of versatility in the music business; the availability of notated improvisatory musical styles; ideas on how to stay in good technical shape; interesting gifts from fans; being on the road; playing hit songs with the artists who made them hits; solo piano bar work; making songs your own; what it’s really like to play different types of gigs; cruise ship and dueling piano work; and she closes the interview by playing her arrangement of the theme song from “The Splendid Table”.

Resources:

Rachel Solomon’s website, rachelsolo.com

“Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden (Rachel Solomon cover)

Piano Summit

School of Rock (Austin)

Berklee College of Music

Bruce Katz

Hammond Organ Complete by Dave Limina

Wedding Wire

“Poupee Valsante” (“The Dancing Doll”) by Ede Poldini