Pianojay

Check out photos of some of the bands I've been involved with in the past several years. You will notice a few of the time periods overlap. These are very busy times. The Stephan Michael Connection is my current band but I also play reularly with the James' Gang with Billy James and Stillwater with Rocky James (no relation). I still freelance around town, too and take gigs with other bands as needed. I also offer piano and/or keyboard lessons.

email: jay@pianojay.com    Click here for calendar of gigs    My band in 1975

Lessons and Instruction

I am now offering piano and or keyboard lessons. I teach more how to read from a chord chart and improvise rather than strictly notation. From basics to more advanced lessons, contact me   for more information.

The Stephan Michael Connection- Stephan Michael Connection Website

Click on the website above to hear some cuts and see some video clips. This is one of my current projects. Mostly 70s funk/soul. Sweet soul music and funky dance tunes from Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett, Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Sam and Dave to the soulful rock and roll of Van Morrison, J. Geils, Bill Withers, and Billy Preston. We wanted to call ourselves the Cluster Funks but thought our mothers would object.

James' Gang with Billy James-
James' Gang Band website

Click on the website above to see more about this band. Classic rock, old rock, some country, blues, a couple of Reggae tunes. I started with James' Gang in early 2011 and currently still play in this band on a regular basis.

Rocky James and Stillwater Band-

Classic rock, old rock, soul, some country, blues, a few disco/dance things and even a few Reggae tunes. I started with Rocky around late summer 2009 and currently still play in this band on a regular basis.

Pizza Bob and Rock Foundation-

Old rock, classic rock, soul, blues and some old country. One of my all time favorites. This was the most popular band on the Space Coast of Florida from 2007 until the loss of Pizza Bob in October of 2009. The band has retired the name and everyone has moved on to new projects.

Bruce Johnston of The Beach Boys-

Private fund raiser for local Surf Foundationin March of 2007. Real thrill to perform Beach Boys songs with one of the Beach Boys.

Backup band for Eddie Scott Soul Revue-

Old Motown, soul music. Eddie always put on a great show. Played about twenty shows with Eddie over about a two year period around 2007/2008.

Dreamer-

This is a variety band playing different types of music including oldies, classic rock, Motown, some country, some top 40. Played with Dreamer from around 2005-2008 with house gig every other weekend, couple of country club gigs and a few private parties.

With Nick Chirico and The Right Brothers-

Jazz, smooth jazz, contemporary jazz, some funk oriented dance jazz. Played a few gigs with this band in 2009.

With Funky Monkeys-

Blues, and more blues...some motown and old rock. I played with these guys in 2005-2006.

Blues jam at Onset Blues Cafe-

This was a blues jam at Onset Blues Cafe while visiting Onset Mass. in July 2007. Jammed with some good musicians that night.

Roots of Rock n Roll Show-

This is a show band with impersonators Big Bopper, Buddy Holly (shown above) and (not shown here) Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Richie Valens and sometimes a finale with Elvis. I play upright bass in these shows and in this particular show in the fall of 2008, we opened for The Rascals. Next picture is the Rascals right after the Roots show. We still do these shows but without Pizza Bob as Big Bopper.

The Rascals-

I didn't play with the Rascals but opened for them with the Roots of Rock n Roll show. Original members guitarist Gene Cornish and drummer Dino Danelli were joined with Bill Pascali of the Vanilla Fudge on keyboards and Charlie Souza on bass, formerly with Tom Petty.