PATRICK MORAZ

'Patrick Philippe Moraz' (born June 24, 1948 in Villars-Ste-Croix, Morges, Switzerland) is a progressive rock keyboard player. He is best known as the keyboardist for the progressive rock band Yes, from 1974-1976, and the Moody Blues from 1978 - 1991. He was classically trained at the Conservatory of Lausanne, but played jazz primarily before entering progressive rock and has been highly acclaimed for his virtuosity.
He first toured as a solo performer opening for major jazz artists throughout Europe in the mid-1960s. He then formed the group Mainhorse with Jean Ristori in 1968, which released a self-titled album on Polydor. He then moved to England and in 1973 formed Refugee with Lee Jackson and Brian Davison. Davison and Jackson had previously teamed with rock keyboardist Keith Emerson (famous for his work in Emerson Lake and Palmer) in the group The Nice.
Moraz rose to prominence in 1974 when he replaced Rick Wakeman in Yes, playing on their ''Relayer'' album and world tour. On the ''Relayer'' album, Moraz brought in a more jazz/fusion sound that was a departure from Yes' more classical approach. In 1976, all then-members of Yes released solo albums, and the Moraz album, titled Story Of I, received acclaim from musicians. In the interim, Moraz had moved to Brazil, and incorporated Brazilian rhythms and performers on the album, making it an important staple of world music. He would then leave Yes.
Moraz recorded another album, ''Out In The Sun'', then began touring with the Moody Blues on their ''Octave'' tour in 1978, and later played on their 1981 album ''Long Distance Voyager'', which was their first album to not reach #1 on the charts. He remained touring and recording with the Moody Blues until 1991.
Patrick Moraz's Aquarius Studios in Geneva, Switzerland with engineer Jean Ristori, was a creative magnetic for recording signed European progressive rock bands, including John Mclaughlin and Lucerne, Switzerland's progressive rock band Flame Dream.
Even while with the Moody Blues, Moraz toured and recorded extensively. He toured with his group from Brazil, recorded with Chick Corea and released two prominent albums of duets with drummer Bill Bruford, another former member of Yes. His solo albums ''Future Memories I'', ''Future Memories II'' and ''Windows of Time'' have been critically well-received.
In 1992, Moraz left the Moody Blues, and subsequently sued them for royalties he felt were owed to him as a member of the band for nearly 15 years. The Moody Blues denied that he was a member of the band, but rather a hired musician. The case went to court in California, and was shown on ''Court TV''. Although Moraz won a judgement, it was for a minor amount rather than the millions that the suit claimed.
Since then, Moraz has primarily concentrated on solo works, particularly solo piano. In 1995, Moraz performed throughout the USA on his C.H.A.T. tour (Coming Home to America). The tour was unusual in that Moraz booked everything himself, and for a flat fee of $800 would come to your home, club or other venue, and play a private or semi-private solo piano concert. All that had to be provided was a place to play, and a suitable piano. Moraz played for anywhere from 2 to 100 people at these shows, one of which was recorded and released as ''PM In Princeton'', on both CD and video. Other solo piano recordings from this period include ''Windows of Time'' (1994) and ''ESP'' (2003), as well as an electronic keyboard album titled ''Resonance'' (2000).
He now lives on the west coast of Florida.

Contents

Discography

External links

Discography

'Solo Albums'

★ 1976 - ''Story Of I''

★ 1977 - ''Out In The Sun''

★ 1978 - ''Patrick Moraz III''

★ 1979 - ''Future Memories Live On TV''

★ 1980 - ''Coexistence''

★ 1984 - ''Timecode''

★ 1984 - ''Future Memories II''

★ 1985 - ''Future Memories I & II''

★ 1987 - ''Human Interface''

★ 1989 - ''Libertate (re-issue of Coexistence)''

★ 1994 - ''Windows Of Time''

★ 1995 - ''PM in Princeton''

★ 2000 - ''Resonance''

★ 2003 - ''ESP''

External links

★ Patrick Moraz Official Website

★ Yes World

★ Moody Blues Official Website

★ Patrick Moraz discography