* Three years piano lessons starting at age 9.

* Played french horn throughout high school – orchestra, marching band, stage band.

* Played harmonium in a yoga community for several years. Got involved in a small band as an offshoot project.

* I’ve had my current keyboard for 35 years. I had to do hard haggling with Guitar Center to secure the purchase. It is a Yamaha PF 85 with semi weighted keys. On the headphones, it sounds great and the lower end is clean, which is a real concern with me as I want those notes to be as audibly clean and crisp as possible.

Here is the additional info on my influences and development:

* In my late teens, I wanted to sound like piano player Johnnie Johnson, (who originally hired guitarist Chuck Berry, not the other way around.) From the radio and my peers, I eventually learned to play 12 bar blues.

* I was introduced to the idea of mixing up portions of various songs and played with that early on, to interesting effect. That is when I first began to experiment creatively.

* Early influences include the aforementioned Johnnie Johnson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Memphis Slim, Fats Waller and Albert Ammons. Memphis Slim played hard, loud, and was the most drunk musician I have ever seen in person that could still function. Good ole’ Jerry Lee, (who was sober the night I saw him,) struck me as one of those guys who could hold an entire conversation with just a look. I mention the way these two players presented themselves because their attitude towards playing music and audience interaction are what I remember most.

* Much later, with the advent of the internet and YouTube, Blues and Boogie became styles that I could access historical recordings of. The listening fun began. 

* These days, I continue to evolve my playing and stylings by listening, practicing and playing publicaly. I pay attention to rhythmic complexity, chord construction and melody. That’s where it’s been going lately.

Rob Milhander

Cell: 310-993-6361

Email: rob.milhander@gmail.com