Julian Colbeck | |
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Born | 1952 (age 71–72) |
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Years active | 1973–present |
Julian Colbeck (born 1952) is an English businessman, musician and journalist. He is CEO of the multi-media music company Keyfax NewMedia[1] and partner with Alan Parsons in "Alan Parsons' The Art & Science of Sound Recording".[2] Formerly a professional keyboard player for over 25 years, Colbeck is also the author of numerous music-related books, the creator of Twiddly.Bits MIDI loops, the concept designer for the PhatBoy MIDI controller, and producer of many music technology videos and websites.
As a keyboardist, Colbeck played with Greep, The New Seekers, Charlie, John Miles, Yes offshoot Anderson Bruford Wakeman Howe, and ex-Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett, amongst others. He also worked as a session player on numerous recordings, including with Charlie, Yes co-founder Jon Anderson, Steve Hackett, and Vitamin Z, whose debut album was produced by Alan Parsons.
Colbeck continues to work creatively as a studio session musician, songwriter, arranger and producer. He co-wrote "Give 'Em My Love",[3] a song included on Alan Parsons's studio release From the New World (2022). Colbeck was principal arranger, keyboardist and co-producer along with Armand Ruby on the pre-release soundtrack for "Equinox the Musical",[4] and served in similar roles for other releases from Karmic Neighborhood, including "I Don’t Want to Walk Away".[5]
Colbeck's work with Keyfax involves analysis of the music technology industry and MIDI recording, past, present, and future, while striving to champion musicians and musicality in the face of music tech.[6]