https://kurzweil.com/category/artists/featured/ Wed, 06 May 2026 19:07:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Neil Palmer https://kurzweil.com/2026/04/23/neil-palmer/ https://kurzweil.com/2026/04/23/neil-palmer/#respond Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:43:23 +0000 https://kurzweil.com/?p=32174 Neil Palmer "With so much power, so many voices, physical controllers, FX and synthesis engines my touring rig shrank from 5 keyboards down to one K2700. One keyboard to rule them all!" -Neil Palmer, Pianist, Composer, Producer BIO Discovered by Stock Aitkin & Waterman as a teenager working in a [...]

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Neil Palmer

“With so much power, so many voices, physical controllers, FX and synthesis engines my touring rig shrank from 5 keyboards down to one K2700. One keyboard to rule them all!”

-Neil Palmer, Pianist, Composer, Producer

BIO

Discovered by Stock Aitkin & Waterman as a teenager working in a London music store Neil played on the multi platinum debut album from Kylie Minogue. The Australian connection continued with Natalie Imbruglia’s “Torn”.

Joining Ray St John (Smooth Operator) and Christian James to form Halo James at the end of the 80s for the gold album “Witness” his first Kurzweil moment was performing on Top Of The Pops with a K250 and he’s used them ever since having owned K2000, K2500, K2600, PC3K8 and K2700. “The backwards compatibility means I’m always adding new sounds to my palette without losing favourite patches from previous decades & with the new FM engine I could import my DX7 library and bring FM into the 21st century with layers and astounding FX capabilities.

Until the K2700 I had a Hammond, Rhodes, Moog Voyager, Virus TI and K2600 but now with 256 voices polyphony is no longer a concern and I’ve combined everything into one keyboard for the ultimate Feng Shui experience.

Now my keyboard tech loves me – and Kurzweil!

Artist Profile

Products Used

Credits

Ant & Dec (Remixes)
BBC
Coca-Cola
Extreme Music
Ford Motors (Ford Focus Launch)
Halo James
Kylie Minogue
Moses Pelham
Natalie Imbruglia
RZA & The Wu Tang Clan
Shara Nelson
Suzanne Vega (Remix)
Swarovski (Beijing Launch)
Sony Playstation (Die Hard)
Xavier Naidoo
Eikichi Yazawa
Youssour ‘n Dour (FIFA World Cup France)

Online Presence

www.feelosofree.com

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]]> https://kurzweil.com/2026/04/23/neil-palmer/feed/ 0 Rod Vester https://kurzweil.com/2022/12/27/rod-vester/ https://kurzweil.com/2022/12/27/rod-vester/#respond Tue, 27 Dec 2022 20:34:19 +0000 https://kurzweil.com/?p=28534 Rod Vester “The Kurzweil SP-88X was my very first fully weighted keyboard. For over a decade, I played this instrument which is a testament to Kurzweil’s high-quality build and durability. Now playing on the SP7 Grand, I have found that the piano key action has the perfect balance of resistance and responsivity.” [...]

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Rod Vester

“The Kurzweil SP-88X was my very first fully weighted keyboard. For over a decade, I played this instrument which is a testament to Kurzweil’s high-quality build and durability. Now playing on the SP7 Grand, I have found that the piano key action has the perfect balance of resistance and responsivity.”

Rod Vester

BIO

Recently named as one of the top 30 professionals by Musical America, Dr. Rod Vester is an educator, researcher, entrepreneur, pianist, organist, composer, conductor, and producer who excels in gospel, jazz, classical, and contemporary music. He has performed with numerous artists, across genres, including Grammy Award winners Kirk Franklin, CeCe Winans, the late Aretha Franklin and Stellar Award winners Richard Smallwood, Tye Tribbett, Kurt Carr, Smokie Norful and many others. Dr. Vester most recently performed, as guest artist, at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts and the Music Center at Strathmore for A Candlelight Christmas with The Washington Chorus. As a composer, Vester continues to commission works for various instrumental and choral ensembles with the latest being the Grammy Award winning ensemble Conspirare, under the direction of Craig Hella Johnson. Vester is the founder of Fully Vested Music, a full music production company that provides innovative and excellent production services ranging from performance tracks, jingles, mixing, to recording project consultation. Credited with over thirty albums, he continues to work with independent artists across the United States.

Dr. Vester currently serves as Director of Contemporary Music, Assistant Professor of Music, and Coordinator of Conservatory in the Community at Shenandoah Conservatory. At Shenandoah Conservatory, he has created a new Bachelor of Arts program (with an embedded minor in Entrepreneurship program) called Contemporary Musicianship and Entrepreneur Development, affectionately known as CMED. The CMED program prepares students to not only be exceptional musicians but to also develop technological, business, marketing, and entrepreneurial skills as well – essential skills needed to thrive in the 21st century music industry. CMED students also perform in the newly formed CONTEMPO Ensemble (also created by Vester) an ensemble whose mission is to educate, entertain, and inspire as they use music for positive social change. The ensemble’s repertoire represents a wide variety of styles and genres including popular music, soul, electronic, alternative, bluegrass, rhythm and blues, and original compositions by ensemble members. Vester holds a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, a master’s degree in Counseling, a master’s degree in Musicology, and a Ph.D. in Music Education.

Artist Profile

Products Used

Played With

Oleta Adams
Kurt Carr
Aretha Franklin
Kirk Franklin
Edwin Hawkins
Le’Andria Johnson
Judith Christie-McAllister
Smokie Norful
Kelly Price
Richard Smallwood
Tye Tribbett
CeCe Winans
The Memphis Symphony Orchestra
The Washington Chorus

Online Presence

www.rodvester.com

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]]> https://kurzweil.com/2022/12/27/rod-vester/feed/ 0 Lee Moretti https://kurzweil.com/2020/09/17/lee-moretti/ https://kurzweil.com/2020/09/17/lee-moretti/#respond Thu, 17 Sep 2020 22:40:15 +0000 https://kurzweil.com/?p=23838 Lee Moretti ""Though I've adored and used Kurzweil for many years, the Kurzweil SP6 Stage Piano is at the top of my list for sound quality, versatility, and ease. With factory settings that are both lush and detail-driven, programming for live shows has become both easier and more expressive. The expansive palette [...]

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Lee Moretti

“”Though I’ve adored and used Kurzweil for many years, the Kurzweil SP6 Stage Piano is at the top of my list for sound quality, versatility, and ease. With factory settings that are both lush and detail-driven, programming for live shows has become both easier and more expressive. The expansive palette of the machine, coupled with the effortless feel have helped facilitate great writing, as well as fantastic live experiences on tour. Kurzweil has always known how to hone in on both quality and individuality but I find that with each year the new iterations of these unique instruments keep getting better and better.”

– Lee Daniele Moretti, pianist, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter

BIO

Lee Moretti is a Boston, Providence, and NYC-based pianist, guitarist, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter. She is the lead singer and founder of award winning indie rock band The Furies (Mint 400 Records) and the former touring multi-instrumentalist for Third Eye Blind. She toured with the platinum-selling rock band extensively and appeared with them on many platforms including The Tonight Show, Good Morning America, and The Sundance Film Festival.

She has had the pleasure of working with: Third Eye Blind, The Furies, The Upwelling, Vanessa Carlton, Billy Gilman, Jesse Malin, Sheila E, Juliana Hatfield, and many others. Lee has had the pleasure to share the stage with: The Ataris, Big Scary, Joan Baez, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Third Eye Blind, Howie Day, The Indigo Girls, Sheryl Crow, Matt Nathanson, Misterwives, The All American Rejects, and many others.

Artist Profile

Products Used

Played With

The Furies
Third Eye Blind
The Upwelling
Vanessa Carlton
Billy Gilman
Jesse Malin
Sheila E
Juliana Hatfield

Online Presence

thefuriesofficial.com

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]]> https://kurzweil.com/2020/09/17/lee-moretti/feed/ 0 Jon Hart https://kurzweil.com/2020/04/21/jon-hart/ https://kurzweil.com/2020/04/21/jon-hart/#respond Tue, 21 Apr 2020 21:45:06 +0000 https://kurzweil.com/?p=22269 Jon Hart “The Forte 7 has great sounds! It has an ability to mix them together seamlessly in layers and splits whilst also giving the user the ability to make changes to effects and controls on the fly. Say in the studio if I played five different keyboard parts on a song, [...]

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Jon Hart

“The Forte 7 has great sounds! It has an ability to mix them together seamlessly in layers and splits whilst also giving the user the ability to make changes to effects and controls on the fly. Say in the studio if I played five different keyboard parts on a song, the challenge is distilling that into an arrangement live with two hands and two feet. The Forte 7 allows me to do these things together and brings the focus back my playing”

– Jon Hart

BIO

Jon Hart is the keyboard player for successful Australian indie-folk-rock band Boy & Bear. Jon plays with the intention of “serving the song” coming from a heavily song-writing based band. Jon creates soundscapes, from all sorts of keys, that support and are integral to the lush Boy & Bear sound. Jon tours with the Forte 7.

Boy & Bear formed in Sydney Australia in 2009. The band has released four albums to date to critical acclaim: ‘Moonfire’ (2011), ‘Harlequin Dream’ (2013), ‘Limit of Love’ (2015) and the long-awaited fourth studio record ‘Suck On Light’ (2019). The band have had much success, with two number 1 albums on the Australian charts, 5 Aria awards and having toured the world over to dedicated fans. After an extended break due to lead singer Dave Hosking battling a debilitating illness, Boy & Bear have created their finest album to date. It’s a record that takes the trademark analogue warmth of their sound and pushes it to places the Sydney quintet have never before explored.

Artist Profile

Products Used

Forte 7

Bands Associated With

Boy & Bear

Online Presence

Boy & Bear Website

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]]> https://kurzweil.com/2020/04/21/jon-hart/feed/ 0 Myron McKinley https://kurzweil.com/2019/11/19/myron-mckinley/ https://kurzweil.com/2019/11/19/myron-mckinley/#respond Tue, 19 Nov 2019 21:20:18 +0000 https://kurzweil.com/?p=11348 Myron McKinley BIO Multi-talented and gifted pianist, producer, songwriter, programmer and film score composer, Myron McKinley is in a class all by himself. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, McKinley began studying Jazz and Classical piano at the age of three years old. His smooth and eclectic sound blends Classical, [...]

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Myron McKinley

BIO

Multi-talented and gifted pianist, producer, songwriter, programmer and film score composer, Myron McKinley is in a class all by himself. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California, McKinley began studying Jazz and Classical piano at the age of three years old. His smooth and eclectic sound blends Classical, Jazz, R&B, and Hip Hop together forming an explosive Jazz sound reminiscent of some of his influences such as Art Tatum, Bill Evans, Chick Corea and Oscar Peterson.

McKinley attended the University of Southern California, where he studied film scoring, music performance, Jazz and Classical piano. While he attended USC, he was the recipient of the following awards; “Jazz Heritage”, “Best Original Jazz Performance”, “Best Original Classical Performance”, “Herp Alpert Scholarship”, and Tommy Trojan -“Best Musical Score for Film or Play”.

Upon leaving USC, McKinley quickly began performing with award winning artists such as Chaka Khan, Mary J. Blige, Faith Evans, CeCe Winans, Harry Connick Jr., Jodeci, Yolanda Adams, Chicago, Puff Daddy, Ludacris, Christina Aguilera, Dr. Dre, Brandy, Stevie Wonder, Whitney Houston, Stanley Clarke, Gerald Albright, Karen Clark-Shears, Chante Moore, Tupac Shakur, Doc Powell, Vesta, Backstreet Boys, Regina Bell, Tyrese, Hanson, James Ingram, Brian McKnight, Patti LaBelle, Monica, Dru Hill, Keith Sweat, Morris Day, Jermaine Dupri, Da Brat, Gerald Levert, Ashford & Simpson, Deborah Cox, Tamia, Emotions, Gloria Gaynor, Christina Aguilera, En Vogue and Earth Wind & Fire to just name a few.

McKinley has toured with Grammy award winner Whitney Houston (World Tour), Kenny Lattimore (For You, World Tour), Stanley Clarke, En Vogue (World Tour), and has toured as the Musical Director for Philip Bailey (Japan Tour), Cherokee (Polo Tour), Doc Powell (Smooth Jazz Tour), Shai (World Tour) and, since 2000, currently serves as the Musical Director for Grammy Award Winners and pop music giants Earth, Wind and Fire.

McKinley has produced and co-written songs for Stanley Clarke (“1,2 To the Bass & ‘Bout the Bass”), Doc Powell (“Cab Ride” & “Don’t Let the Smooth Jazz Fool Ya”), Silk (“How Could You Say You Love Me”), Vesta (“I’ll Be Alright”), Jimmy Reid (“Wonderful World”), Philip Bailey (“Unrestrained”), Cherokee (“I Love you…Me”, “Misty”, “Ooh Wee Wee”, “Oopsy Daisy”, “Sexy Somethin” and “While I’m flying”), Howard Hewitt, and also co-writer for Earth, Wind and Fire’s current project “Now then and Forever”.

McKinley has scored and programmed cues for such films as “Undisputed”, “Red Sneakers”, “Static Shock”, “Soul Food”, “Romeo Must Die”, “The Best Man” and “Funny Valentine”.

An impressive resume, Myron McKinley is most proud of his highly-anticipated debut album in 2014. While touring all over the world with Earth, Wind and Fire, McKinley has been recording. “You can say this album has been influenced by the many fans I’ve met from all over the world. Asia, Europe, Australia, Africa and the U.S.

Artist Profile

Products Used

Played With

Earth Wind & Fire
Chaka Khan
Mary J. Blige
Faith Evans
CeCe Winans
Harry Connick Jr.
Jodeci
Yolanda Adams
Chicago
Puff Daddy
Ludacris
Christina Aguilera
Dr. Dre
Brandy
Stevie Wonder
Whitney Houston
Stanley Clarke
Gerald Albright
Karen Clark-Shears
Chante Moore
Tupac Shakur
Doc Powell
Vesta
Backstreet Boys
Regina Bell
Tyrese
Hanson
James Ingram
Brian McKnight
Patti LaBelle
Monica
Dru Hill
Keith Sweat
Morris Day
Jermaine Dupri
Da Brat
Gerald Levert
Ashford & Simpson
Deborah Cox
Tamia
Emotions
Gloria Gaynor

Online Presence

www.myronmckinley.com

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]]> https://kurzweil.com/2019/11/19/myron-mckinley/feed/ 0 Kash Iyengar https://kurzweil.com/2019/11/19/kashyap-iyengar/ https://kurzweil.com/2019/11/19/kashyap-iyengar/#respond Tue, 19 Nov 2019 20:32:56 +0000 https://kurzweil.com/?p=11281 Kash Iyengar "Among the lot of many brands I have handled, there is not one that strikes you in terms of rich sounds and efficient functionality like the Kurzweil keyboards. Using one of their keyboards makes sure that you have total control over the smallest grain of sound, making it a personal [...]

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Kash Iyengar

“Among the lot of many brands I have handled, there is not one that strikes you in terms of rich sounds and efficient functionality like the Kurzweil keyboards. Using one of their keyboards makes sure that you have total control over the smallest grain of sound, making it a personal and professional experience to remember.”

– Kashy Iyengar

BIO

Kash Iyengar is a 21 year keyboardist, vocalist, songwriter, music producer, arranger and a multi-instrumentalist from India. He is currently attending Berklee College of Music, Boston on a full scholarship majoring in Music Production and Engineering.

Being a self-taught ‘play-by-ear’ musician, Kash has been using the keyboard as his principal instrument since the age of 5, starting with mini-keyboards and moving on to programmable synthesizers.

One of the youngest musicians to perform at the NAMM music convention/trade show held annually in Anaheim, California as a demonstrator at the age of 15, he has been a regular product demonstrator and performer at the NAMM show ever since as a part of Kurzweil and other brands.

Kash has been featured twice on Indian national television (SONY TV) as a part of the live studio project ‘Jammin’ for Sony Music showcasing the Kurzweil PC3K8 in a live performance setting. He has also performed at the International Jazz Day concerts in 2015 and 2016 with an attendance of over 2000 people each time, held at the blueFROG Club.

He is a two-time performer at the Mumbai Piano Day concert held annually at the prestigious NCPA auditorium as a solo pianist. He was also the youngest solo pianist at the prestigious Strings Of The World Festival held in New Delhi, India, at the age of 12. Kash has been covered by national and local newspapers (Hindustan Times, Mid-Day News, DNA India), and music magazine columns on numerous occasions for achievements concerning the incorporation of music technology into live music, coverage of this nature starting at the age of 6.

Artist Profile

Products Used

Plays With

Transference
Split Screen Theater

Online Presence

Transference Facebook

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]]> https://kurzweil.com/2019/11/19/kashyap-iyengar/feed/ 0 Martin Guigui https://kurzweil.com/2019/11/19/martin-guigui/ https://kurzweil.com/2019/11/19/martin-guigui/#respond Tue, 19 Nov 2019 19:58:09 +0000 https://kurzweil.com/?p=11259 Martin Guigui “I am a purist at heart. Kurzweil provides the most authentic piano textures and action for vintage keyboards such as Concert Grands, Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer. Kurzweil cuts through live with a dynamic range at any size venue and also performs on recordings above and beyond. The individual orchestra sounds [...]

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Martin Guigui

“I am a purist at heart. Kurzweil provides the most authentic piano textures and action for vintage keyboards such as Concert Grands, Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer. Kurzweil cuts through live with a dynamic range at any size venue and also performs on recordings above and beyond. The individual orchestra sounds are warm and dynamic, as are the drum kits and percussion. Kurzweil continues to be my instrument of choice and has been for over 30 years.”

– Martin Guigui, Music Director, Composer, Grammy nominated Music Producer, and award-winning filmmaker

BIO

Martin Guigui has worked on over 150 productions, produced over 50 music albums, toured extensively, and is Music Director for the “Guitar Legends” Broadcast Concert TV Series. Born in Buenos Aires Argentina, son of famed Symphony Orchestra Conductor Maestro Efrain Guigui, Martin had an eclectic upbringing in New York, Puerto Rico and Vermont, a music prodigy playing Violin at age four, his concert debut with the Puerto Rico Symphony at age 12, and now an accomplished Pianist and Keyboard player.

Guigui has worked with Stars and Icons of the Entertainment industry and has shared the stage, recorded, and performed with music greats including Billy Gibbons, Christina Aguilera, Michael Bublé, Lady Gaga, Clint Black, Gary Clark Jr, Travis Tritt, Brad Paisley, Lizzo, Cynthia Erivo, Peter Frampton, Eric Church, Jelly Roll, Arturo Sandoval, Herbie Hancock, Dustin Lynch, Daryl Hall, Stephen Stills, Susan Tedeschi & Derek Trucks, Warren Haynes, Lemmy Kilmister, Slash, Smokey Robinson, David Byrne, Michelle Williams, James Cotton, Doobie Brothers, The Cars, Belinda Carlisle, Sammy Hagar, Keb Mo, Dave Navarro, Salt-N-Pepa, Jimmie Vaughan, George Thorogood, Kenny Loggins, Sheila E, Lyle Lovett, Lucinda Williams, Joe Bonamassa, Larkin Poe, Jose Feliciano, Sam Moore, Sara Evans, Chris Janson, Walker Hayes, Southside Johnny, Grace Potter, Phish, Yolanda Adams, Nancy Wilson (Heart), Robby Krieger (The Doors), Steve Earle, Robert Earl Keen, Blind Boys Of Alabama, Robert Randolph, Charlie Starr (Blackberry Smoke), Richie Sambora, Joan Osborne, Trace Adkins, Lee Greenwood, Jake Owen, The Gatlin Brothers, NRBQ, Bo Diddley, Steve Forbert, Bret Michaels, Billy Ray Cyrus, Julio Iglesias Jr, John Popper (Blues Traveler), Maddie & Tae, Maxi Priest, Vernon Reid, Lauren Alaina, Orianthi, Chrissy Metz, Haley Reinhart.

Guigui has won numerous “Best Director” Awards, Grammy nominated, NAACP IMAGE Award, Billboard Awards, ASCAP Awards, United Nations Award, Golden Spirit Award, twice honored by the City Of Los Angeles for artistic contributions to music education, Martin produces broadcast shows for Veteran causes, Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation, and Endangered Species. Guigui Produced and Music Directed the iconic “One America” Concert Event hosted by 5 U.S. Presidents raising $45 Million Dollars for Hurricane relief. Martin is a contributing author to the book “After Shock” (50th anniversary of “Future Shock”).

Artist Profile

Products Used

Projects featuring Kurzweil gear

”Sweetwater” movie soundtrack
”Stand-Up For The Homeless” TV Special
”Billy Gibbons 75th Birthday Celebration”
PBS Great Performances “Mancini 100” (TV special)
Guitar Legends
American Country Awards
Billy Gibbons U.S. tour
Wall Street Rocks
New Orleans Jazz Festival
Pacific Records
Concord Records Co Produced Jimi Hendrix Tribute Album
Produced “The Bronx Bull” Soundtrack
Produced the “Beneath The Darkness” Soundtrack
wrote/produced Bret Michaels single “Love Sucks”
Hollywood Rocks For Japan 2011
Unity For Peace tour 2010
Super Group album “VEVE HARPLE”
over 30 albums and 12 movie soundtracks

Online Presence

IMDb

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