"Success for me is not necessarily the 2-3 million dollar houses or the assortment of cars in the driveway. Those things are nice and wonderful, but my idea of success is just being able to do what you really love to do; to do what you love doing and have enough time to enjoy life and your family. I think I’ve been pretty successful."

For keyboardist Tim Gant, that statement sums up his attitude. Humble is an understated adjective used to describe him. But this extremely talented musician, writer and producer has quietly and humbly made a huge impression and name for himself in smooth jazz.

Tim Gant was born and raised in Chicago on that same R&B/jazz sound that influenced so many others. Around age 8, Tim started out playing the drums, but by age 10 also picked up the trombone.

"I played trombone all through grammar and high school, but started messing around with keyboards when I was about 12. We had a piano and organ in the house because my older brother played, but I didn’t want to play the same thing as him! That competition thing coming out, I guess! When I was about 16 or 17, I really started wanting to solo and get out some of these ideas I had in my head. Trombone was not allowing me to do it. I was just not good enough and not able to express things on it. But I could on piano."

His parents weren’t musicians, but did expose him to great music while growing up. "My Dad was a huge jazz be-bop fan. He was really into Nat King Cole, Miles, and Oscar Peterson. On Saturday mornings when I was a kid, my Dad would be doing his chores around the house and the record player would be turned on by 8am and not go off until about 6pm. It was just playing all of the time. I never realized how much I learned from that until way later when I would start imitating those greats."

Tim also had several uncles who had a serious appreciation for music, and who supported his endeavors by attending any of his school concerts he had. A major influence for Tim throughout his younger years was Ramsey Lewis. "My mother and Ramsey Lewis’ sister, Lucille, were best friends, so Ramsey knew my family. And because of that relationship, my Mom had a lot of his records."

Tim recalls the exact moment when he knew that music was what he wanted to pursue in life. "My two older brothers introduced me to popular music. I came up hearing Earth, Wind & Fire, James Brown, Parliament, and Sly & The Family Stone. When I was 11, my oldest brother took me to see an EWF concert. Once I saw what those guys were doing up on that stage, that was it for me! I was bitten and there was no turning back."

While Tim was destined to make music his career, his parents weren’t too sure. His parents tried to convince him not to go into music. They weren’t pushy about a certain profession or career he should pursue, but wanted to be sure that whatever he did, he would be able to support himself and a family, if he had one. So, even though Tim had been offered a 50% scholarship to a music academy, his parents instead chose to send him to a private Catholic, all-boys, mostly white high school.

"That hurt. The music program there was horrible. I mean really bad, but my parents said they were not sending me there for music, but for academics, so I had to stick with it."

After high school, Tim attended a junior college for a few years, studying medical technology, but it just wasn’t working. After telling his parents how frustrated he was wanting one thing and pursuing another, Tim decided to go for what hew knew would make him happy. Not long after that he was working with a local R&B band in Chicago, which received national notoriety for winning a Budweiser band competition called the Budweiser Showdown in Washington, DC. That win gave them a recording contract with Warner Bros. and it opened up some doors, including an invitation to play in Japan.

In the many years since that time, more doors have opened for Tim, and they have opened wide. He has played with so many people including a five year stint with Art Porter. Others include George Howard, Phil Perry, Norman Brown, Bill Withers, Steve Cole, Brian Culbertson, Michael Manson, Jeff Golub, Kirk Whalum, Dwayne “Smitty” Smith, and of course, Nick Colionne, who most folks have seen Tim tour with recently.

Nick, when asked about what Tim brings to his band, said "I guess what Tim brings to the band is a touch of the authentic R&B sound that he is noted for. He has all the chops for jazz, but he has a real R&B feel, full of funk and energy that pushes the music into some other places. That is the great thing about Tim…he is one of the most versatile players I know.. Also, he is a funny dude!"

Besides all of these fabulous musicians, Tim experienced his dream come true a few months ago when he finally got to play with George Duke. "I got hooked up with George through Michael Manson, who plays with him on a regular basis. It truly was a dream come true."

In addition to Tim’s performing resume, he has established himself as a writer and producer, as well. He co-wrote Rick Braun’s tune, "Daddy-O," has written for Aretha Franklin, and had a multi-platinum hit on the Back Street Boys’ first album. Writing and producing are areas that Tim really enjoys and looks forward to doing much more of in the future. He is also working on his own solo project that he would like to see completed by this year’s end.

For fun, you can find Tim spending as much time as possible hanging with his family. "I spend a lot of time with my family. I have the world’s greatest wife and two terrific kids. My daughter is 12 and my son is almost 8."

His kids share his love of adventure in the form of amusement parks, so keep your eyes open because one day you could be on a roller coaster with Tim!

Tim Gant may not make a huge splash when you see him in concert, but definitely keep your eyes on him. His quiet, humble demeanor is only the tip of the iceberg. You can be sure that somewhere along the line, one of your favorite songs could possibly have been written or produced by this terrific keyboardist.

- Bonnie Schendell