Patrick Moraz

Patrick Moraz (born June 24, 1948 in Morges, Switzerland) is a progressive rock keyboard player. 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.

Related Topics:
June 24 - 1948 - Progressive rock - Keyboard player

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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 Restori 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.

Related Topics:
1960s - Mainhorse - Refugee - Lee Jackson - Brian Davison - Keith Emerson - Emerson Lake and Palmer - The Nice

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Moraz rose to prominence in 1974 when he replaced Rick Wakeman in Yes, playing on their Relayer album. In 1976 all current members of Yes released solo albums, and the Moraz album, titled The Story of i, received acclaim from musicians. In the interim Moraz had moved to Brazil, and incorporated Brazilian rhythms and performers on the album. It has since been called the first world music album.

Related Topics:
Rick Wakeman - Yes - Relayer

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After Moraz recorded another album, Out In The Sun, which also was well-received, he joined the Moody Blues on their Octave tour in 1979, becoming a full-fledged member of the band and playing on their 1980 album Long Distance Voyager, which was their first album to reach #1 on the charts. He remained a member of the Moody Blues until 1991.

Related Topics:
Moody Blues - 1980 - 1991

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Even while a member of the Moody Blues, Moraz toured and recorded extensively. He toured with his group from Brazil, recorded with Chick Corea and 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.

Related Topics:
Chick Corea - Bill Bruford - Yes

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