AVAILABLE: Experienced professional pianist / keyboard player

(Note: In 2013, Ted relocated to the Columbia River Gorge area in Oregon just east of Portland, and is continuing his music career full-time there. To all the great musicians in central Ohio, it's been a pleasure and an honor working with you and having you as friends. And many thanks to everyone else for your wonderful support these many years in Columbus. To my new friends in the Northwest: The central Ohio names below may not be familiar, but my talent, experience, and professionalism remain the same. I look forward to networking with, contributing to, and becoming an active member of the Oregon music community.)

"Take Two" (my solo electronic keyboard and guitar act with full band sound and optional female vocalist and/or guitarist) is my main musical project, but I also do a wide range of freelance work. I'd be glad to help any established, working musical act who needs a keyboard player on a spot or continuing basis. I am very fortunate to play almost 450 shows a year, but I recently finished a 6-month stint with one band and a year-long stretch with another one, so I've got some open dates, at least for now.

I'm open to anything if the right opportunity comes along. Let's talk about getting together at least once. It's fun to meet new musicians and explore new situations, and with musical chemistry you never know what may click.

I'm primarily a fairly vanilla classic pop/rock/R&B/folk/country/blues/jazz player (in that order). I'm no virtuoso but I do have perfect pitch, play mostly by ear, and have a long history in bands, duos and solo piano, during which I've accumulated a decent knowledge of tunes. If the song list is mainstream and commercial at all, I can probably get through it on the spot without much trouble (yes, that means with minimal or no rehearsal!). And even on unfamiliar tunes or originals, I can usually follow along just fine. I know how to listen to everyone else and fit into a band. I've done the job in situations where I was the only city boy, where band members were young enough to be my grandkids, and where I was the only white guy in the room.

I also sing and play some guitar and bass. And I'm accustomed to playing keyboard bass with my left hand; I do that all the time in "Take Two", and did it for years with a top variety/party band when they didn't have a bass player. I can also do single and duo types of situations too, on electronic keyboards or a real acoustic piano.

Please feel free to ask around about my experience and capability. On the national level, I was on the road as a fulltime touring musician for years. I've opened for The Platters, the Eagles' Joe Walsh and The James Gang, and Otis Day and The Knights. I've backed 60s rock acts "The Shangri-Las" and Freddie "Boom Boom" Cannon, and worked with Norma Jean of "Chic" (yowsah yowsah yowsah). I've appeared with Elvis Presley's vocal backup group The Jordanaires, and backed several nationally-known Elvis tribute artists, including the great Ryan Pelton. I've also worked with Las Vegas Dolly Parton tribute artist Sandy Vee Anderson.

In the Northwest, I've performed with many Gorge and Portland musicians of note, including Curtis Salgado, Ron Steen, Laura Cunard, Kevin Selfe, Ben Rice, Terry Robb, AC Porter, the late Rick Hulett, Ben Bonham, Ed Dietrich, Tim Ortlieb, Tracy Klas, Jeff Carrell, Al Hare, Nolan Hare, Kerry Williams, Tim Mayer, Mark Daly, Ryan Kolberg, Mike Stillman, Jon Cyparski, Alonzo Garbanzo (Dennis Castanares), Ryan MacAlexander, Randy Bell, Les Vaughn, Jim Hurley ("Coach"), Jeff Minnick, Mike Grodner, Dennis Williams, Paul Viemeister, Jose Maya, Steve Alford, Cory George, Justin Merritt, Steve May, and the bands "Smoke On The Water", "Cool Change PDX", "Willy & Nelson,", "The Shannon Roberts Trio", "The Greenneck Daredevils", and the "Kingz Ambassadors" reggae band. I play regularly at the beautiful historic Columbia Gorge Hotel in Hood River, Oregon (just off I-84 at exit 62).

In Ohio and the Midwest region, I was a "guest artist" with "The Eddie Pollina Band", "The Dave Absalom Project", "Tommy B and Company", "Full Spectrum", "The Zen Band", "Direct Energy", "Raizin' Kane", "Inside Out", "The Majestics", "The Trains", "Soul Deep", "Outlaw Resurrection", "The Kay Carter Project", "The Radio Surfers", "Party Of Nine", "Rev'd-Up", "The Ravens", "CheeseQuake", "Code Blue", Elvis tribute artist Jay Freeman and the "Dave Parsons Conway Twitty Tribute Show". I have worked at weddings and other events with world-famous violinist Arkadiy Gips, flutist Cheri Papier, and vocalist Cindy Leland, and have played for many years in theatre orchestras for Broadway-style shows by local choral groups. I was also part of an 8-piece classical Jewish music ensemble called "Friday Night Live", organized and led by NBC4 TV meteorologist Ben Gelber. Just about all the music people in the central Ohio area know me (unless they're too young :) and would probably be willing to provide a reference.

Please read through the comments below, visit my "Take Two" website and respond via email or call if you want to talk. Thanks very much for your interest.

Ted Horwitz
541-705-7265
Ted@TakeTwoBand.com
Visit the "Take Two" Home Page (TakeTwoBand.com)

What they're saying about Ted:

"Keyboard? You need to talk to Ted!"
-- Brian Beatty, lead guitarist

"This guy can play anything!"
-- Mike Vasquez, Sweatbox Studio
(Ted says: "Not true, but I appreciate the kind words. That's about the highest compliment a musician could ask for.")

"Ted has extraordinary musical intelligence!"
-- Alonzo Garbanzo, Singer/Songwriter/Guitarist

"Ted, I knew you were good, but I didn't know you were THIS good!"
-- Tess Barr, bassist, vocalist, and owner, Hood Crest Winery

"Ted is amazing!"
-- Jose Maya, drummer, Willy & Nelson

"Ted's got big ears!"
-- Kevin Selfe, award-winning blues guitarist and Delta Groove recording artist

"I really appreciate your amazing versatility ... and how you move from genre to genre!"
-- James Patrick Hurley ("Coach"), CEO, Engineer and Guitarist, JC Crow Productions, Centralia, WA

"The greatest keyboard player I ever had the chance to work with!"
-- Dave Parsons, Conway Twitty Tribute Artist

"You are such a pro! It is amazing that you jump right in with no rehearsal and play seamlessly with us. Thank you!"
-- Kellee Churchwell, The Zen Band

"Ted's fantastic. Not only does he know every song, he knows the different versions, can sing the harmonies, and can play the fills for about any instrument on that keyboard! Whenever there's an important detail that needs to be there, he's got it!"
-- Allan Rodrick, guitarist/vocalist
(Ted says: "Again, I'm flattered, but there are plenty of songs I don't know. But give me a song list and keys and I will do my homework!")

"Ted, we truly appreciate you filling in on such short notice and with so little to go on. Everyone echoed my feelings of how well you played and blended in with the band. I have no doubt we'll be calling on you again in the future. Thanks again."
-- Jan Byer, "Direct Energy"

Ted with "Direct Energy" at the Huron Basin Amphitheater in beautiful downtown Huron Ohio on Lake Erie. Very hot 9-piece horn band, lots of Chicago (of course), plus Tower of Power, Joe Cocker, Stevie Wonder, Earth Wind & Fire, etc. (Ted was called in with a day and a half notice.)
Click here for a video clip from that concert
Huron Direct Energy

The "Take Two" duo, Ted with vocalist, pianist and Portland jazz icon Laura Cunard

Ted and Laura

On the Terrace at the award-winning Maryhill Winery

At Clock Tower Ales in The Dalles with local hero, drummer and radio personality Jeff Minnick

Ted with The Dalles local favorite and guitarist extraordinaire Al Hare, of the great Northwest touring country band "Brewer's Grade"

Ted and Al

Ted onstage doing his electronic "Take Two" solo act in the entertainment tent of the Hood River Harvest Fest.
Photo credit: Jim Drake, Hood River News

Ted at Rivertap in The Dalles, Oregon, playing that feel-good Reggae music with Ras Kimo and the Kingz Ambassadors

Ted provides a mellow pop/folk musical backdrop at The Pines Tasting Room in Hood River

"Take Two", Ted with Portland guitarist Kim Beyers, onstage at Zim's Brau Haus in The Dalles

Zims Kim combined

Click here or here for video clips from Zim's performances

The "Take Two" Quartet: Ted with Kim Beyers, Jose Maya and Andree Yost, at Zim's Brau Haus in The Dalles

Zims Quartet

Ted at Naked Winery in Hood River with Alonzo Garbanzo (Dennis Castanares), Steve Alford of The Richard Wilkins Blues Band,
and Lisa Nelson, Bill Nielsen and Mal Brown of Willy & Nelson.
Best thing about this pic that you can't see: we're playing Beatles!

maked Winery

Ted performs with Susie Goldstein, Amy Lancione, Jim Harris, and The Eddie Pollina Band
at the annual "Baby Boomer Reunion" in the big ballroom at Villa Milano

Eddie Boomer Reunion

The "Take Two" Trio at Worthington On The Green summer concert.
Ted is joined by guitarist Colin MacQueen and vocalist Betty Londergan

Worthington Green

Onstage with The Trains at Gatsby's in Gahanna

Gatsbys Trains 1

Ted joins the Radio Surfers for the "Randy-Man-A-Thon" fund-raiser at the Hey Hey Bar & Grill

Radio Surfers Hey Hey

Ted with The Zen Band at Easton Town Center

ZBB Martini Park

Ted is joined onstage by the great Arnett Howard ,
central Ohio musician and historian
and former leader of the "Creole Funk Band"

Ted gives NBC4-TV meteorologist Ben Gelber some keyboard pointers at a recent appearance		Ted and the rest of Ben Gelber's group at the NBC4 studios

Ted with Elvis and Dolly (aka Jay Freeman and Sandy Vee Anderson) at a recent show in Canton

Elvis and Dolly

Ted performs with the Kay Carter Project on the Buckeye Lake Yacht Club stage

Ted plays a wedding ceremony at Temple Israel
with flutist Cheri Papier and world-famous violinist Arkadiy Gips

Cheri Arkadiy

(Arkadiy is fantastic, and he can play any style of music. He recently returned from performing with Madonna
on her "Sticky & Sweet" European tour)

Arkadiy & Louise

Ted (ever the groupie) grabs a camera from behind his keyboard
to snap the legendary Jordanaires next to him on stage
during the "Cruisin' On The Riverfront" show.

( The Jordanaires are a country/gospel quartet from Missouri who have sung on literally thousands of recording sessions over half a century, including those of Rick Nelson, Patsy Cline, Kenny Rogers, Dolly Parton, Steve Lawrence, Connie Francis, Julie Andrews, Jim Reeves, George Jones, and the Judds. But they are probably best known for backing Elvis Presley on records and in movies for 14 years. Elvis specifically asked for them when he moved to RCA Victor records and became a major star, and he insisted they be credited on the record label, something that no one did in those days.)

Here they are doing "Hound Dog" on Ed Sullivan in 1956:

Ohio State University president Dr. E. Gordon Gee requests his favorite tunes
as Ted provides elegant piano stylings at a campus event.

ted and Gordon

Ted backing 60s girl group "The Shangri-Las"
with the Extravaganza Band at Bicentennial Park in downtown Columbus

A Blast From The Past:
"ATR" (Action, Thrills and Romance) , 1976
Mike Noll, Tony Allen, Ted Horwitz, and Lyle Sanders

ATR

(The lady in the middle is Norma Jean Wright, an Elyria, Ohio native who moved to New York City in early 1977, shortly after leaving ATR, and joined the multi-platinum recording group "Chic". It was Norma, along with Luci Martin, who sang the lead on the huge worldwide disco hit "Dance, Dance, Dance (Yowsah Yowsah Yowsah)" , and also the follow-up, "Everybody Dance" . Norma later sang background on many important albums of the 1970s and 1980s, backing artists such as Aretha Franklin, Sister Sledge, Luther Vandross, Debbie Gibson and Madonna.)

ATR

Ted chats about the music business
with Grammy-, Oscar-, and Golden-Globe-winning songwriter Paul Williams

(Yes, you know his songs:
hit recordings by Three Dog Night, Carpenters, Barbra Streisand, Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra,
Willie Nelson, Ella Fitzgerald, David Bowie, Ray Charles, R.E.M., Tony Bennett,
Sarah Vaughn, Johnny Mathis, Luther Vandross and Kermit the Frog.)

Check out Paul's website here .

Ted and Paul