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Bruce Randall Hornsby (born November 23, 1954 in Williamsburg, Virginia) is an American singer, pianist, accordion player, and songwriter. Known for the spontaneity and creativity of his live performances, Hornsby draws frequently from classical, jazz, bluegrass, Folk, motown, rock, blues, and jam band musical traditions with his songwriting and the seamless improvisations contained within. Hornsby`s recordings have been recognized on a number of occasions with industry awards, including the Best New Artist Grammy in 1987 with Bruce Hornsby and the Range, the Best Bluegrass Recording Grammy in 1989, and the Best Pop Instrumental Grammy in 1993. Hornsby has also achieved recognition for his solo albums and performances, his current live act Bruce Hornsby & the Noise Makers, his bluegrass project with Ricky Skaggs, his jazz act The Bruce Hornsby Trio, and his appearances as a session- and guest-musician. He also collaborated with the Grateful Dead.
Hornsby grew up listening to all types of music. He studied music at the University of Richmond, as well as Berklee College of Music and the University of Miami, from which he graduated in 1977. In the spring of 1974, Hornsby`s brother Bobby, who attended the University of Virginia, formed a band, "Bobby Hi-Test and the Octane Kids" to play fraternity parties, featuring Bruce on Fender Rhodes and vocals. The band, which is listed in Skeleton Key: A Dictionary for Deadheads, performed covers of Allman Brothers Band, The Band, and predominantly Grateful Dead songs.[5] Although Hornsby`s collaboration with Bobby Hornsby would be relatively short-lived, at present, his brother Bobby`s son, R. S., is a recurring guest-guitarist with Hornsby`s band and periodically tours with his uncle. Following his graduation from the University of Miami, in 1977, he and his brother (and songwriting partner) John Hornsby moved to Los Angeles, where they spent three years writing for 20th Century Fox. Hornsby also spent time in Los Angeles as a session musician and touring with Sheena Easton`s band[7] before moving back to his native southeastern Virginia. Hornsby currently uses a Steinway & Sons concert grand piano. He bought the piano in Zurich, Switzerland, while on a solo show tour in Europe in 1995. With the Range and up until 1995, he used a Baldwin concert grand piano. He currently uses a Korg M1 synthesizer. With the Range, Hornsby used an Oberheim OB-X synthesizer.
Outside the realm of music, Hornsby is a good basketball player and an avid fan of the sport.[8] As such, he can frequently be seen at college basketball games around the state of Virginia. He is also personal friends with Saint Louis Cardinals manager Tony LaRussa, and attends games in Saint Louis whenever he can. Their friendship led to LaRussa introducing Hornsby to jazz bassist Christian McBride, which then led to the formation of The Bruce Hornsby Trio (along with drummer Jack DeJohnette) and their first album, Camp Meeting. Bruce Hornsby was raised a Christian Scientist and its influence can be seen in some of his songs. However, he has rarely attended that church since high school, and his current beliefs are unclear and may have diverged from his Christian Science upbringing. He has endorsed Barack Obama for President in the 2008 election. Hornsby and his wife Kathy have sons named Russell and Keith. They were named after Leon Russell and Keith Jarrett.
Biography Credit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:BruuuceHead.jpg
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His uncle, Charles Hornsby, is on the cover of his studio album Spirit Trail.
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