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Carl Byron, keyboards, accordion, ocarina, pan-pipes, heart, soul, ears, eyes, mouth, throat, lungs, arms, hands, fingers, legs, feet, toes and occasionally some brains.
Influences
"live for today, pray for tomorrow" --Duane Jarvis "the piano ain't got no wrong notes" --Thelonius Monk "be nice to people and let them pay for meals" --Langston Hughes
Carl is featured on Hammond B-3 in Anne McCue's version of Tony Jo White's "As The Crow Flies" from Koala Motel (Prod. Anne McCue/Dusty Wakeman. [p] 2006 Messenger Records.)
Olivea Watson's "Back To LA" with Carl.
Carl is featured on piano in this live video of Olivea Watson performing "So Extreme" at the Hotel Cafe.
“I've enjoyed working with Carl on two of my favorite records: Anne McCue's 'Roll' and 'Kola Motel', along with numerous other sessions. We are also brothers-in-arms in the world-famous Sin City All Stars. I recommend Carl highly for any musical endeavor."--Dusty Wakeman, owner Mad Dog Studios/producer (Anne McCue, Lucinda Williams, Dwight Yoakum, Michelle Shocked)
“Carl played on my last two albums and we have played many good rockin' shows together. He is a great musician and a real gentleman to work with.”--Anne McCue
“Whether working with Carl as a keyboardist or collaborating with him on a composition, he brings great skill, focus and expertise to any project. His knowledge of different musical styles and instrumentation is extensive and it's always a pleasure to work with him.”--Eric Corne, Chief Engineer/Producer, Mad Dog Studios
“Carl knows his instruments inside and out, he's creative, he's fast, he takes direction well, and he's very easy to get along with, inside and out of the studio. There's nothing else you could want from a great session musician. He's my first call keyboard player.”--Daniel Kresco, producer/songwriter
"Carl Byron’s deft, harmonically ambitious keyboard work was a special treat throughout, adding color and intrigue to every song."--Los Angeles View
"His is a first-rate talent. Here is a composer who combines intellect with a loving heart."--New York Amsterdam News
Keyboardist/composer Carl Byron was raised in parts of Asia, Africa and the US. He studied with Aurelio de la Vega at CSUN and was composer-in-residence at the Elkhorn Music Festival and the Sun Valley Summer Symphony.
Carl has worked with Anne McCue, Michelle Shocked, Jim Lauderdale, Syd Straw, The Young Dubliners, Tony Gilkyson, Olivea Watson, Ben Vaughn, Lynn Anderson, Mike Stoller & Gerry Goffin, Ronee Blakely, Nicole Gordon, The Spencer Davis Group, Sally Dworsky, Low And Sweet Orchestra, Duane Jarvis & The Sinematics, Lisa O'Kane, Austin Hanks, David Baerwald, Sin City All Stars, Bo Diddley, Thelma Jones, Warren Zevon, Mike Martt, Marvin Etzioni, Ryan Hedgecock, Charlie Louvin, Fiona Kernaghan, Walkie Talkie, Leila Florentino, David Serby, Nicky Corbett, Stonehoney, Brittney Elizabeth, Diego Sandrin, Michael Harris, Dawn McCoy, Raining Horseshoes, The Snakehandlers, Travis Howard, Barbara Cohen, Michael Anderson, Angela Easterling, Anny Celsi, Fisher, Claudia Russell, Dave Phenicie, Bruce Burton & King Size, John Vester, Desborde, Pearly Kings, Steve Barton, 29 Mules, Kyle Johnson, Darius, and others.
Carl is organist and co-composer with HOUND; the group's song The Old Zoo is in THE DEAD GIRL and is also on the soundtrack CD and at iTunes. Check out Carl's tango piano on Miss Fortune by CLAUDIA RUSSELL and hear him with OLIVEA WATSON.
Carl is available as a sideman, session musician, arranger and composer.
Some recent and upcoming releases that feature Carl:
Hi Carl...thanks for the friend request (and sorry about the belated reply). I always enjoy seeing you play. You're the epitome of a working musician with great chops and attitude and you're always an inspiration to me.
Hi Carl, It was a pleasure playing that Erock show with you...and thanks for the kind words about my album, I appreciate that :^) Have fun in all you do, I hope we cross paths again soon, James
Thanks, Carl. Great to see you as well. You are always a soulful and masterful presence on stage. I'll definitely be calling you when my next album is in motion!
The song.."Angel Of Death" (The Mello Cads)...can you imagine before we knew each other, that we tracked on this tango masterpiece at Whitman's studio. Small world. Best, Nelson
