Errol on MySpace Name:Errol Allahverdi Instrument:Keyboards and Vocals Favorite Color:This is a silly question. I mean, what’s one without the others? Favorite Food:So many great foods…so little time Last Read Book:Oh, is reading a requirement?  At a Glance:From the earliest age Errol remembers being reared on classical music. From baroque to classical to romantic, music was always played, discussed, and most importantly, enjoyed in the Allahverdi home. In addition to the classics, Errol became familiar with Russian folk music, jazz, and the great pop hits of the fifties and early sixties. Errol started his instrumental career with the coronet, then moved on through the entire sax family (baritone, tenor, and alto) before finding his natural abilities on the keyboard. He fondly remembers playing along with his father’s old Jimmy Smith records. It was here, mimicking the lightening-fast fingers of a master, where he first began developing his dexterity, speed, and improvisational skills. His early idols in rock-n-roll were Mark Stein of the Vanilla Fudge and Al Kooper. Not long afterwards Errol got his first exposure to the band Nice. Here was Keith Emerson, a keyboardist with the chops of Jimmy Smith and Oscar Peterson, playing baroque, romantic, jazz, and blues, and combining all styles using the beat and instrumentation of rock-n-roll. No secret that Emerson’s influence can still be clearly heard in Errol’s playing even today.  Errol eventually went on to study music in college, where he was taught by the organ master, Sir Thomas Veltson. More recently, Errol has been honing his singing abilities, studying voice with Diane Ambrosino. It was in high school that Errol met singer John Blanco and drummer Gary Gerber. This trio of friends would eventually form the band Harpy, along with guitarist John DiGaudio and bassist Jimie Martino. After the band’s breakup in the early 80’s, Errol returned to school and then on to building his career in information technology, ultimately becoming the president of a Long Island-based software company. Errol’s love of all music is obviously apparent in his compositional efforts. In fact, Errol has amassed quite a sizable catalog of original works that collectively reflect these influences. For those interested in hearing some of his music, a sampling can be found on this site. Most Embarassing Moment:Hmmm…I think I’ll keep this one to myself. Hobbies:Playing keyboards, writing/recording music, cooking, eating, laying down doing nothing, mental mountain biking Deepest Thoughts: 1) Music may not be life, but what would life be without music? 2) The inside-out Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup is not just a variation…it’s an improvement. My Music: Cast Away Inspired by the movie of the same name. Can’t Stop the Crying I wrote and recorded this right after 9/11. It helped me deal with it. I’m still with you A very Mystery-tour era Beatle-esque tune. You Know Sushi A pop tune for sushi lovers. This was used as the theme song on WPLJ’s ‘Morning Sushi’ show recently. The DJ said he uses it because “it’s the worst song ever written”. DJ’s can be such assholes. |
