The River of Calm's Beyond The Music Podcast episode #22 takes an up-close and personal look at composer Alan Hewitt.
Hewitt began his career as a drummer in the club scene but changed over to keyboards after realizing he needed a bigger palette for his composing ambitions. He graduated to the production room, where he had the honor of working as a co-producer alongside Maurice White of Earth Wind and Fire (EWF) for over half a decade with EWF’s Greatest Hits album going platinum in 2000. However, it was co-writing and piano/B-3 contributions on the triple platinum record Cherry Pie with Warrant that would solidify Hewitt as a monster musical talent capable of crossing genres.
“musical force of nature” – Wine and Jazz Magazine
Hewitt’s list of record production credits as both a producer and recording artist spans across the various major labels and genres with over 12 million records sold.
As a solo artist, the uniqueness of the Hewitt signature sound lies in his ability to draw from the diverse worlds of contemporary jazz, world, pop and rock, while simultaneously bridging the gap between instrumental and vocal music, with intoxicating stage performances that are a fusion of energy, style and grace. It was his 2004 release, Noche de Pasion, that marked his emergence on the pop instrumental scene, which was followed by his critically acclaimed 2006 release Metropolis. The Baltimore Times hailed, “Metropolis is the album to put in your CD player (then turn up the volume).”
Since 2010 Alan has been the keyboardist on tour with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band, The Moody Blues whom have been on a continuous world tour performing for sold out audiences and released The Days of Future Past DVD which is airing on PBS currently topping the Billboard charts . Some of the performing highlights include Late Night With Jimmy Fallon, Hollywood Bowl,Red Rocks in Denver, O2 Arena in London, Heineken Center in Amsterdam, Coca Cola Center in Johannesburg S. Africa, four Moody Blues Cruises and the 2018 Hall of Fame Induction performance!
Alan was invited to play keyboards on Moody Blues lead singer, Justin Hayward’s “Spirit’s of the Western Sky” solo tour in 2013 , which was also released as a DVD on EagleRock and is currently airing on PBS .
Alan co- produced and co-wrote for Moody Blues bassist John Lodge’s CD “10,000 Light Years Ago” released on Cherry Records. Their song “In My Mind” was nominated for the 2015 UK PROG Awards “Best Anthem.” and in 2017 he also co-wrote, produced, did keys and backing vocals for the John Lodge Live in Birmingham DVD as well as his 2019 release “BYOND The Very Best Of” on BMG. Alan is John Lodge’s music director and keyboardist for his live band which just finished The “Royal Affair” 2019 summer tour in the US with Yes, Asia and Carl Palmer of ELP.
Hewitt’s list of record production credits as both a producer and recording artist spans across the various major labels and genres. Composer for a long list of major film and television productions, Hewitt’s credits include National Lampoon’s Van Wilder, Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, Survivor, MTV, Dancing With The Stars, and is a composer for the Oprah Winfrey shows (including Oprah’s Big Give & Dr Oz). He also has scored the music for Sony/Lionsgate TV series “Tom Holland’s Twisted Tales” and many more.
The list of accolades from the industry includes The Golden Planet, New York International Film Fest Award, San Francisco Ocean Film Fest, both for best music score, 2 Global Music Awards, ESPY Award and 2 triple platinum albums, Warrant’s Cherry Pie and Earth,Wind & Fire’s Best Of Vol 1. His latest project Alan Hewitt & One Nation has won two Global Music Awards for 2015. “Best Instrumental Album & Best Instrumentalist” Alan’s latest project is a critically acclaimed fusion of great songs combined with great performances influenced by Return to Forever, Mahavishnu Orchestra, Todd Rungren’s Utopia and others.
Alan Hewitt, keyboardist for The Moody Blues and multi-platinum composer/writer/producer, has assembled super bassist JV Collier from Bruce Hornsby Noisemakers, Grammy winning drummer Sonny Emory (EWF, Steely Dan, Bruce Hornsby), guitarist Jamie Glaser (Anderson/Ponty Band, Chick Corea’s Electric Band, Lenny White Band), and 6 time Detroit music award winner, guitarist Duffy King to form Alan Hewitt & One Nation. This music has no boundaries nor relies on the current norm. Inspired, energetic, artful, melodic and edgy! Special guests on Evolution include phenom guitarist Orianthi from Michael Jackson’s “This is It” and “#1 You Tube Artist of the Year” vocalist Alex Boye.
Alan is a vegetarian and passionate advocate for animal rights . He was a member of the Whale Rescue Team in Los Angeles and is on the boards of “Animal Fund / Earthviews Productions” providing films on animal welfare issues, Bluecology for Ocean Conservation and is now on the board of “Fetch Fido A Flight”, this group gives dogs from Oklahoma that are going to be euthanized a new life, flying them to pet partners where they will be adopted to loving homes.
We hope you enjoy getting to know the story behind the music of Alan Hewitt!
The River of Calm Beyond The Music Podcast Episode #22
Artist: Alan Hewitt
Host: Ed Bazel