Doc Heavyside

Doc Heavyside is a jazz pianist, producer, and composer who currently resides in the Austin, TX area. Hailing from the US Deep South, which is known for producing funky keyboardists such as Dr John, Billy Preston, and Toussaint McCall,  Doc is a funky Southern boy whose music is a refreshing blend of rhythm and blues, soul, and old school funk that is garnished with tasteful jazz elements.

Doc was born in Louisiana to a jazz pianist/football coach father and an artist mother. His father taught him boogie woogie piano at a young age, and people were amazed that such a young boy could play that style so well. In school, Doc joined the band on saxophone and soon was a standout among his peers. Although he stopped playing saxophone after ninth grade so he could play football, by that time his future talent was evident, as he won various awards as a high school freshman. Everyone appreciated his technique and natural  aptitude for improvisation. Upon graduating from high school, Doc took up piano and played with various local old school funk bands. Determined to become a serious professional keyboardist, Doc worked very hard, and as his piano skills developed, word spread about the new, exciting piano player that had appeared on the local scene. At the age of 19, Doc found himself traveling on the road in the old chitlin circuit in the deep south. By playing on the dance floor of nightclubs night after night, Doc developed an intrinsic sense of the types of things that make people want to get up and dance.

One day, Doc came across an old live recording of John Coltrane that totally changed his musical perspective. Very impressed by the complex harmonies and rhythms of the McCoy Tyner/John Coltrane/Elvin Jones collaboration, this experience started a deep fascination with old school, 'straight ahead' jazz that continues to  this day. After some time, Doc was able to jam and play straight ahead jazz gigs with seasoned jazz professionals. The careful listener will note old school jazz influences of pianists such as Bud Powell and Wynton Kelly in Doc's piano style. Doc began to incorporate the lessons learned from jazz pianists into his jamming live on the dance floor. The result is Doc's own authentic style that is stamped into his music that you can hear today. Doc's blend of old school soul, modern pop, and jazz is instantly appreciated and accessible to a wide audience.

You can contact Doc directly by email at docheavyside@gmail.com. Join the mailing list or send Doc a message using the Contact Doc Heavyside section on the first page of this website. He would love to hear from you!!!!