Page "Keith Emerson" Paragraph 3

Emerson grew up in the seaside resort of Worthing, West Sussex, England.

As a child, he learned western classical music, from which he derived a lot of inspiration to create his own style, combining classical music, jazz, and rock themes.

Emerson became intrigued with the Hammond organ after hearing jazz organist Jack McDuff perform " Rock Candy " and it subsequently became his instrument of choice for performing in the late 1960s.

This blending of elements is illustrated in his participation in the 1969 Music From Free Creek " supersession " project, where Emerson performs with drummer Mitch Mitchell and bassist Chuck Rainey covering, among other tracks, the Eddie Harris instrumental " Freedom Jazz Dance ".