Artist profile: Marvin J in tune with the piano

Pianist and singer Marvin Johnson, known to some in Whatcom County musical circles as Marvin J, is a native of Bellingham.

He started taking piano lessons at the age 6 with a neighbor’s grandmother on Eldridge Street, and through his teen years and mid-20s with Einor Moen, studying improvisational piano and organ for solo and band performances. He also learned to play cornet with North Storms.

He’s known for his charismatic performances, playing popular covers on the piano while singing, with many bands in Whatcom County.

Question: When did you consider pursuing music as a career?

Answer: In my mid-40s, after the sudden death of one of my close friends and knowing full well that most people die with their music in them, I made a conscious decision to sing, repair, teach and play piano until I was broke; I have been successful in that area.

Question: What have been some of the high points of your musical life?

Answer: I was the Hammond B3 organ tech man for Larry Knechtel of the 1970s band Bread, and for Knechtel’s work with Johnny Rivers. I played with him in various groups with him on piano, B3 organ and bass guitar. I also played organ with Commander Cody as an honorary Lost Planet Airman.

I’ve tuned pianos for international traveling acts such as Melissa Manchester and Marja Kaisla and ragtime pianist Bob Milne, for whom I will open March 11 at Lairmont Manor.

Question: How did you become a great piano tuner?

Answer: When I decided to focus my life on music, I included repair and tuning in that.

My three-year apprenticeship included a year of tuning two pianos every day, sometimes the same ones multiple times. I tune by ear, so the thirds and the sixths vibrate pleasantly.

A perfectly tuned piano will sound sterile, much like the Hammond B3 organ, which was tuned to perfect A440, which sounded horrible until the chorus vibrato was invented, which made some of the tones go slightly sharp and flat so it sounds pleasant to the human ear.

I tune the pianos so that if the piano vibrates correctly, the instrument will play the pianist, much like a good violin.

Question: Where can people see you perform in the next month or so?

Answer: I’m playing from 2 to 3 p.m. Thursday Dec. 24, at the Allied Arts Holiday Festival at 4145 Meridian St. New Year’s Eve at Jansen Art Center in Lynden is going to be a big party, but it’s sold out.

Catch me later on New Year’s Eve at Nicki’s Bella Marina, where I’ll play from 10 p.m. to midnight with my “Whoever Answers the Phone” Band, which includes — this year— Sonja Lee, Phil Sottile, Ron Camire, “Tall” Paul’ Laughnarne and Lonnie Knechtel (the son of Larry).

This story was originally published December 22, 2015 at 7:03 AM with the headline "Artist profile: Marvin J in tune with the piano."