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BIOGRAPHY
Will has been a performing musician for over 10 years. First starting with private piano lessons at age nine, his passion for music grew in middle school, listening to artists like the Doors and Led Zeppelin, and going to Cabrillo College to play in Jazz Bands at night (which performed with Mic Gillette, former Tower of Power trumpeter). Gaining the name "Will the Thrill" from the school band instructor, it was then Will started his own band and knew that music would be the direction his life would go.
Soon after he was paired with the teacher that would become his mentor, Dale Ockerman, former member of Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Doobie Brothers. Also backing rock greats such as Chuck Berry, Jerry Miller and more. Under his influence and guidance Will learned beyond reading music into "feeling it". Picking up New Orleans, Blues, Classic Rock, Metal, Funk, old school R&B & Motown, Boogie, Stride, and more, at this time Will expanded his keyboard skills to include Hammond B3, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer and Hohner Clavinet electric piano styles.
In high school, Will decided to go home-schooled so he could spend more of his time honing his chops and learning more about music at Cabrillo College, getting double credits doing so. This is the time that Will met another musical mentor Ray Brown, former jazz trumpeter from Stan Kenton Band and renowned music teacher. For the next few years Will would take all of his classes and expand his knowledge of harmony and rhythm.
Graduating high school early Will continued study of music theory and played with a plethora of local bands ranging from Blues, Reggae, Rock, and Latin. Will continues to learn more every day, and is honored to pass on anything he can to his students. Below are some videos of groups he currently works with. Please enjoy!
Will has been a performing musician for over 10 years. First starting with private piano lessons at age nine, his passion for music grew in middle school, listening to artists like the Doors and Led Zeppelin, and going to Cabrillo College to play in Jazz Bands at night (which performed with Mic Gillette, former Tower of Power trumpeter). Gaining the name "Will the Thrill" from the school band instructor, it was then Will started his own band and knew that music would be the direction his life would go.
Soon after he was paired with the teacher that would become his mentor, Dale Ockerman, former member of Quicksilver Messenger Service, The Doobie Brothers. Also backing rock greats such as Chuck Berry, Jerry Miller and more. Under his influence and guidance Will learned beyond reading music into "feeling it". Picking up New Orleans, Blues, Classic Rock, Metal, Funk, old school R&B & Motown, Boogie, Stride, and more, at this time Will expanded his keyboard skills to include Hammond B3, Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer and Hohner Clavinet electric piano styles.
In high school, Will decided to go home-schooled so he could spend more of his time honing his chops and learning more about music at Cabrillo College, getting double credits doing so. This is the time that Will met another musical mentor Ray Brown, former jazz trumpeter from Stan Kenton Band and renowned music teacher. For the next few years Will would take all of his classes and expand his knowledge of harmony and rhythm.
Graduating high school early Will continued study of music theory and played with a plethora of local bands ranging from Blues, Reggae, Rock, and Latin. Will continues to learn more every day, and is honored to pass on anything he can to his students. Below are some videos of groups he currently works with. Please enjoy!
Below is a "Pop-Up" video from the totally stellar 80's band the Blackouts! Check out www.theblackoutssantacruz.com or Will's Calendar page to get their up-coming dates!
Below Will pays tribute to his favorite keyboardist, the late Ray Manzarek... two of Will's favorites and some of Ray's finest work. Will tried to stay true to the solos on the original recordings.
Below are some live video of original funk bands. Firstly, instrumental Funky Dosage, two time Santa Cruz Library Teen Battle of the Bands winner, and second Soul Island Funk/R&B Motown outfit. Enjoy!
Will's good friend Nick Wallace's composition, "Round Like A Triangle"
Will's good friend Nick Wallace's composition, "Round Like A Triangle"
A Little Night Music- Wolfgang Mozart
Will and Chris his parter:
Will and Chris his parter:
The Following is a short list of musicians/groups Will plays with or has played with in his career:
- the Blackouts www.theblackoutssantacruz.com
- The White Album Ensemble www.whitealbumlive.com
- James Durbin; GuitArmy and Destroy the Night www.durbinrock.com
- Superior Olive www.stillfuminrecords.com
- Steve Throop Group www.stevethroopgroup.com
- Gary Gates Band www.garygatesband.com
- Lance Richards & the Groovin High Band
- Funky Dosage
- Will Russ www.williamrussjr.com
- Tammi Brown www.tammibrown.com
- Soul Island
- Dale Ockerman & the Musicscool Allstars
- Simple Dreams, a Linda Rondstat Tribute
- Distant Visions
- Spare Change
© Will McDougal 2017
