D. R. Commander

"Have Piano - Will Travel"


With deep roots in jazz and folk music, D. R. Commander is a versatile pianist/keyboardist, vocalist, and songwriter who is adept in many diverse musical styles and has leant his skills to a variety of musical projects over the years.  Commander plays primarily by ear and can pick up most songs almost immediately.  Commander is based in Austin, Texas and is available for session work, original composition, and live performances.

Blues - Jazz - Country - Rock - R&B/Funk - Folk

Upcoming Performances

See my MySpace profile for upcoming gigs

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D. R. Commander Folk Rock Austin, TX Keyboardist, Songwriter 2007-
Akina Adderley & the Vintage Playboys R&B/Funk Austin, TX Keyboardist, Songwriter 2007-
Akina Adderley Jazz Trio Jazz Austin, TX Pianist 2007-
         
The George W. Bush Singers Comedy Austin, TX Vocalist 2005
The Harmony Theory Jazz Fusion Austin, TX Keyboardist, Songwriter 2002-2006
The Red Herring Band Indie Rock Austin, TX Session Keyboardist, Post Production Engineer, Graphic Designer 2001-2004
Laredo Country and Western Austin, TX Keyboardist, Vocalist, Songwriter, Graphic Designer 2000-2002
Hot Flash R&B/Funk Houston, TX Keyboardist, Assistant Ordinance Loader 1998-2000
The Houstonian Big Band Jazz Houston, TX Pianist (understudy) 1998-2000
ACE Big Band Jazz Houston, TX Pianist 1995-1999

Equipment

Nord Stage 88 - All of those great vintage sounds that you remember from the 70's, including:

  • Analog synth emulator

  • Hammond B3, Vox Continental, and Farfisa organ emulators (including Leslie emulator)

  • Lovingly-reproduced Fender Rhodes (Mark I, II, and V) and Wurlitzer (200A) electric piano sounds

  • Lovingly-reproduced Hohner Clavinet (D6) sounds (with various mic placements)

  • Amplifier cabinet simulator

Also includes authentic Steinway and Yamaha C7 grand piano sounds (close or open mic placement)

Ensoniq KT-88 - The KT-88 was released in the early 90's but sounds a lot more like the late 80's, complete with Mike-Rutherford-style synth pads, Bruce Hornsby-style piano/string pads, etc.  All of the samples below were recorded using this board (except "Along for the Ride", which was recorded on a real grand piano.)

E-MU Proteus 2000 - All of those spacey, ambient/techno sounds from the 90's, orchestral sounds galore, and some other goodies as well.

Samples

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