Shows
Third Gear ScratchEpisode 165 - Jeffrey BabkoWhen this episode was recorded, the writers and actors strikes were both still going strong with no end in sight, so resident keyboardist for the Jimmy Kimmell Show, Jeff Babko, was able to find time in his normally very busy schedule to rap with me. In fact, the Kimmell show is just a piece of his crowded schedule, which includes being the touring pianist on stage with Steve Martin and Martin Short, in addition to composing for movie scores like the new Weird Al biopic, Toy Story 4, Encanto, but also recording with James Taylor, Jason Mraz, Shelby Lynne, Simon P...
2023-09-261h 35
The Keyboard ChroniclesJeff Babko, Jimmy Kimmel / Martin Short / James Taylor / Neil YoungJeff Babko is an amazingly versatile keyboard player covering TV, movies, touring and recording. In this interview, Jeff covers everything from working live on stage with Martin Short and Steve Martin, to recording with Neil Young and an orchestra. As you’ll hear, the four artists listed in this episode’s title are only the tip of the iceberg.
Links to content mentioned during the show:
Bruce Hornsby
Julio Iglesias
Dan Warner
Larry Carlton
Robben Ford
Toto
An Evening You’ll Forget For The Re...
2020-08-051h 07
The Caffeinated KeyboardistTCK #8: John Beasley, Otmaro Ruiz, Tommy KingJohn Beasley, musical director of International Jazz Day and solo recording artist as well as one time Miles Davis/Steely Dan sideman, joined intrepid keyboard master Otmaro Ruiz (John McLaughlin, Dianne Reeves) and young touring and recording keyboardist Tommy King (Maroon 5, Haim) for this symposium which covered Hanon exercises, jazz education, "money" gigs, Charlie Haden, gear and more.
2015-06-272h 01The Caffeinated KeyboardistTCK #7: Jamie Muhoberac, Peter Dyer, Ralph SchuckettContemporary keyboard session king Jamie Muhoberac meets young synth whiz & composer Peter Dyer along with former Utopia/Lou Reed sideman & Pokemón (!) composer Ralph Schuckett for this episode, recorded by John Paterno on Feb. 20, 2015. We talked about modular synths, Mort Garson's "Black Mass Lucifer" 1970's synth opus, recording in studios vs. homes, in-ear monitoring, playing too hard (aka banging), and generational differences in experiencing music. An eye and ear opener for sure.
2015-03-021h 54The Caffeinated KeyboardistTCK #6: Billy Childs, Scott Healy, Deron JohnsonMaster composer/pianist Billy Childs, hot off Grammy noms for his Laura Nyro tribute project teams with his former student, Miles Davis alum Deron Johnson (currently staff composer for The Weinstein Co) and Conan O'Brien's keyboardist (and fellow Grammy nominated composer) Scott Healy for episode 6, recorded on Dec. 19th, 2014. Topics: Freddie Hubbard, Miles, the balance of "art/commerce" and suggestions of how to use your bread-and-butter gig to your creative advantage...
2015-01-031h 44The Caffeinated KeyboardistTCK #5: Russell Ferrante, Mitch Forman & Scott KinseyThe Yellowjackets' founding member and leader throughout its 32 year history, Russell Ferrante, joined Mitchel Forman (Wayne Shorter, John McLaughlin, Stan Getz, John Scofield) & Tribal Tech's Scott Kinsey (Oceans 11, 12 & 13 scores, Zawinul) in host Jeff Babko's living room to talk about practice habits, acoustic vs. electronic instruments, software, how they got from there-to-here and more. As usual, the guys traded some hilarious anecdotes and memories, and raised questions and thoughts about the past and future of music and its "business".John Paterno miked it and twiddled the knobs as always.
2014-11-101h 53The Caffeinated KeyboardistTCK #4: Mitchell Froom, Patrick Warren, Zac Rae & Jim CoxEpisode 4 was very special, and centered around legendary producer and keyboardist Mitchell Froom (Elvis Costello, Latin Playboys, Bonnie Raitt) with Patrick Warren (Boogie Nights score, Fiona Apple), legendary session man Jim Cox and contemporary session man Zac Rae. We talked everything from jam band mentality to FM synth programming to iconic organ solos and the dumbing down of EDM. As always it was recorded w/ our trusty microphones from Samson & our dedicated engineer John Paterno. Somehow we forgot to discuss Mitchell Froom's brilliant recent solo piano recording, "A Thousand Days". Pick it up to discover a different side to...
2014-09-091h 53The Caffeinated KeyboardistTCK #3: Alan Pasqua, Terry Trotter & Cheche AlaraJeff Babko is joined by Tony Williams Lifetime/Bob Dylan/Santana alum, and current USC jazz piano professor and Steinway artist, ALAN PASQUA, jazz pianist, master accompanist (Frank Sinatra, Natalie Cole, Larry Carlton) and composer of the theme to "Everybody Loves Raymond" TERRY TROTTER, and musical director/ producer/ composer/ keyboardist CHE CHE ALARA. The fellas consume coffee and baked goods from Burbank's Coffee Commissary and discuss jazz & classical backgrounds, the current state of education and students, commercial/"creative" musical outlets, L.A. versus N.Y., Miles Davis, Tony Williams, Wynton Kelly, Bill Evans and a number of other luminary pianists...
2014-07-102h 05The Caffeinated KeyboardistTCK #2: Money Mark, Larry Goldings & Steve PorcaroHey!!! We get extra caffeinated with contemporary jazz organist and world class pianist Larry Goldings (who is also super funny), Toto legend Steve Porcaro, and sonic pioneer Money Mark on episode 2. There is chat about Steve's MJ hit "Human Nature", his brothers Mike & Jeff, his mastery of the Yamaha CS80, the "Rosanna" instrumental section... and Larry's approach to organ stops and settings, Hans Groiner, approach to "playing bass", Dave McKenna... as well as Money Mark's unconventional monitoring style of Fender Rhodes, history of sampling and royalties, carpentry skills, Delicious Vinyl, as well as DIY record production and distribution... and everyone's "...
2014-05-091h 48
The Caffeinated KeyboardistTCK #1: Geoffrey Keezer, Roger Manning & Don RandiIn this debut "Caffeinated Keyboardist", legendary "Wrecking Crew" pianist Don Randi, Jellyfish founder/Beck keyboardist Roger Manning, Jr., and world class jazz pianist Geoffrey Keezer join Jeff Babko at his TudorTones Studio in Los Angeles and discuss their experiences as keyboard players in their respective and varied careers. Engineer John Paterno captures the dialogue as these 4 colleagues chat over coffee, provided by Little Tokyo's Cafe Demitasse, whose founder Bobby Roshan gives us a brief synopsis of the history of his shop/roaster. Recorded on Feb. 21, 2014.
2014-03-261h 43