Keith Hollis on SoundBetter

Former pianist/organist for soul legend Solomon Burke available to play keys on your tracks!!

Hey! My name is Keith Hollis and I'm a professional pianist and organist with a recording studio with a permanent set-up to record B-3, Rhodes and acoustic piano on your next project! Yeah! My hybrid studio has a deep analog signal chain: 8 Vintage 70's API mic pres, 2 blackface 1176, a vintage LA-2A's, plus 3 vintrage DBX 160's - all there to add slight compression but mostly analog warmth and vibe to your track!

I record on a fantastic modified Fender Rhodes Suitcase Piano - One of only 10 to 20 Rhodes Suitcase Piano's extensively modified by Eddy Reynolds at Leed's Instrument Rental in Hollywood CA in the late 70's. This Rhodes piano records with deep and rich tone, a lot of sustain, and sexy stereo tremolo.

Additionally, I have a beautiful A100 Hammond Organ with a 147 Leslie and a 1940's Chickering Studio Acoustic Piano to get the John Lennon "Imagine" sound... all set-up to record for you!!

Tell me about your project and how I can help, through the 'Contact' button above.

Credits

3 Reviews

Endorse Keith Hollis

by Benny Steele
You can't go wrong with Keith Hollis! Stellar musicianship and sonic palette! If you need legendary keys, Keith is your man!
by Benny Steele
You can't go wrong with Keith Hollis! Stellar musicianship and sonic palette! If you need legendary keys, Keith is your man!
by Benny Steele
You can't go wrong with Keith Hollis! Stellar musicianship and sonic palette! If you need legendary keys, Keith is your man!

Interview with Keith Hollis

Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I'm mixing a rock/blues Children's album for an artist/client that is local to the Boston area. I played organ, Rhodes and piano on 1/2 of the 11 tracks. I recorded everything here at Somerville Sound expect the drums were done outside. Sounds amazing so far!!
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Yes, Benny Steele at Steel Factory is a great mixing engineer. He mixed a recent track of mine and it sounded great!
Q: Analog or digital and why?
A: Both! Well, it's all Pro Tools and Logic these days and if you got the analog use it!!! Pro Tools 64 bit sounds crazy to me but I still gotta say - the plug-in versus the real deal - the real deal ALWAYS wins in my book if you weigh how it sounds. So using analog on the way into digital when recording keeps your work flow in the box. I often use an outboard 1176 on the lead vox - I'll commit the track in Pro Tools and then move on to keep the work flow in the bizzzox. :D
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: I love playing and expressing myself through music, specifically, on the acoustic piano, rhodes and Hammond Organ.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: How quickly can you get the tracks done please?
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I started playing blues jams in Watts, Los Angeles when I was 15. James Rudy, who was BB Kings pianist, was sometimes there on his Rhodes. He was the kindest dude - he encouraged me, showed me a few things - even had me stand on stage behind him while he was playing so I could watch his hands. So I'm still doing it! I finally got the call from Solomon Burke to play keys with him in 2008 and I stayed with him until his passing.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I will definitely fine tune any performance to fit the music and track... I think my organ playing is a mash-up of gospel and OG 70's soul style of playing and approach. My acoustic piano is sprinkled with NOLA junk piano vibes, like Fess and Dr. John. My Rhodes playing and touch is along the lines of Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: I like to print a small amount of 1176 compression into Pro Tools when recording Rhodes and acoustic piano. Sometimes there isn't any noticeable VU movement, very limited actual compression, but I'm happy the way it sounds in Pro Tools with the compressors in. I know I'm lucky to have these classic compressors so using them into the box, makes it easier to stay in the box when mixing.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: soul, classic r & b, funk, blues, jazz, americana, rock, country, jam music
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: my feel
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: Soulful playing and a music sensibility that has been shaped by my years of experience touring the world as a performer.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: t's important for me to find my best part to fit the strength of the song - so I will listen to the track many times before I record any passes...
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a hybrid recording studio with vintage mics, vintage mic pre's, vintage outboard gear and vintage FX
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: Play and record B-3 w/Leslie, Rhodes and acoustic piano. There is rarely sheet music or a chart - usually just communication about what they think their tracks needs. Pads, riffs/solo or both.