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Chris CodishKeys
Rooted in Detroit's rich history, and encouraged by his artistic and musical family, Chris Codish's notable talent on the keys is inspired by an eclectic mix of influences. "It comes down to feeling and intent," Chris explains. "If it touches me, I dig it."
Chris's proficiency at piano, organ, and mini moog makes him a versatile artist who can lift spirits at church or lift you out of your seat at a nightclub. On organ, he has worked with nearly all of the great jazz guitar players living in the Detroit area, doubling on left-hand bass. Since 1999, he has been the organist at Godland Unity, a Detroit-based Unitarian church. He also tours with Alexander Zonjic, whose band he joined in 2004, and through this experience, he has had the opportunity to play with such talented musicians as Jeff Lorber, Angela Bofil, and Bob James. He also continues to work with long-time friend and mentor Johnnie Bassett, among others, and his own band, The Brothers Groove (TBG), an eclectically inspired funky jazz trio. Through his collaborations with Johnnie Bassett and TBG, Chris has come into his own as a songwriter, vocalist, and lyricist with more than 50 songs to his credit.
Chris became a student of the piano at the age of five. He studied at Michigan's Wayne State University with venerable Detroit musicians Matt Michaels (arranger for Barbra Striesand) and Rob Pipho (vibraphonist). In 1994, he took over jazz-organist Bill Heid's spot in Johnnie Bassett and the Blues Insurgents. He toured Europe four times, recorded five CDs, served as the unofficial musical director and, with his father, Bob Codish, contributed over 15 songs to Johnnie's repertoire. Chris has also toured internationally with Larry McCray, Lucky Peterson, and Alexander Zonjic.
Chris has played on major label releases for Sponge (Wax Ecstatic, For All the Drugs in the World), John Arnold (Style and Pattern), Gene Dunlap (I Still Believe), and Thornetta Davis (Sunday Morning Music). He has performed or recorded with: Martha Reeves and the Vandellas, Robert Bradley's Black Water Surprise, The Howling Diablos, Jill Jack, Susan Calloway, The Chisel Bros, Shipwreck Union, Zug Izland, Perry Hughes, The Reefermen, Black Beauty (featured on a BBC TV program), W.C. Handy Award winner Johnny "Yard Dog" Jones, Wendell Harrison, Dr. Prof. Leonard King (Oopapada), Dee Dee McNeil, Shahida Nurullah, international dance music producer Scott Grooves, and others too numerous to mention.
In 1997, Chris won a Detroit Music Award (DMA) for "Blues Performer or Group Deserving Wider Recognition." Since then he has won seven more DMAs, and several more for his work in collaboration with TBG. In March of 2000, Real Detroit Weekly readers voted him "Best Keyboardist" in their annual "Best of Detroit" issue.
Chris formed TBG in 1999 with James Simonson and Mike Caskey. In 2001, they swept the awards for "Outstanding Jazz Group" and "Outstanding Jazz Recording" (Clamp it Down). "So Glad You Came," the title track on the group's second album, is featured on WDET Live Vol. III, with such performers as Joe Jackson and Suzanne Vega.
Chris's keyboard playing combines traditional jazz organ, piano and synthesizer, with a heavy dose of funk attitude, a deep understanding of the blues, and his own understated personal humor. His voice is described as a mix of Johnny "Guitar" Watson, Dr. John and Frank Zappa.
From creative and musical beginnings in one of the country's richest cities for developing musical talent, Chris has worked hard both as a student of his instrument and as a student of life to hone his skills, which have made him one of Detroit's most sought after musicians, whose work speaks for itself.
Chris's MySpace Page
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