Ron Christian (piano)

Ron started classical piano lessons and playing in the family church back in Winnipeg Canada around the age of ten. Mum was the music director and Dad was the organist, and Ron started by accompanying singers. This was good training for the usual pianist issues: sight-reading and practicing mind-reading on the vocalist.

Later, he played French Horn in the school concert band, and looked on in envy as his friends who played trumpet, trombone, and sax got to play in the ever-so-cool jazz ensemble. It was during this period of sitting on the sidelines drooling that the seeds were planted for a love of jazz. In fact, it was at this time that most of the rock albums in his collection were traded for jazz albums, which wasn't always smart (Chuck Mangione for Led Zeppelin ... hmm ... I don't know ...).
 
Later, living in Ottawa, he continued on in classical and played piano in many small chamber music groups, accompanying instruments such as flute, cello, string ensembles, and playing a lot of piano four-hands. This later led to singing in choral groups when living in England. All good fun ... but not jazz.

But wait a second ... Bach and Beethoven were at least as famous as improvisers during their lifetime, and Chopin's harmonies would stand up to any jazz chart. Something clicked, and Ron took a few jazz piano lessons, and a few more seeds were planted.

Leading up to life in Atlanta, where jamming rock and blues with some friends led to a conversation, that led to a conversation, that led to Buzz, and somehow Ron appeared at one of the Capital City Express practices, filling in for the traveling David.

 
And the filling-in continues. Ron is enjoying the swinging sounds and is feeling very privileged to help out.