Tim Carmon
American keyboard player
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Tim Carmon is an American keyboard player, drummer, singer, and producer. He was born a preacher’s son in Washington, D.C., and grew up immersed in the church. Carmon began playing piano in the fourth grade and by the age of twelve was organist for three different churches, including his father’s. He later attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, D.C.[1]
Tim Carmon | |
|---|---|
Tim Carmon | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Origin | Washington, D.C.; Los Angeles, California |
| Occupations | Musician, keyboardist, producer, drummer, singer |
| Instruments | Keyboards, piano, organ, synthesizer, drums, vocals |
| Years active | 1990s–present |
Carmon’s career led him to California, where he became known for his musical versatility across gospel, R&B, rock, and pop. His adaptability in the studio quickly placed him in demand by artists in a variety of genres. The roster of musicians with whom Carmon has performed, toured, written, or produced includes Eric Clapton, Babyface, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Queen Latifah, Marcus Miller, Sheryl Crow, Bob Dylan, Gladys Knight, B.B. King, Jamie Foxx, Earth, Wind & Fire, Carlos Santana, Herbie Hancock, Michael McDonald, Mary J. Blige, and David Sanborn.[2]
Carmon worked with Eric Clapton on Babyface Unplugged and joined Clapton’s touring band for the 1998 Pilgrim Tour.[3] Additionally, he joined Clapton and B.B. King in the studio for the Riding with the King sessions in February 2000.[4]
He rejoined Clapton’s touring band briefly for U.S. dates in 2004 when substituting for Billy Preston, and later participated in Clapton’s 2006–2007 world tour and the 2009 Ireland/UK run, which included an 11-night residency at London’s Royal Albert Hall.[1]
Beyond touring, Carmon has contributed to a range of recording and film projects. He provided arrangements, piano, and keyboards for the film adaptation of Dreamgirls in collaboration with R&B producers The Underdogs.[5] He also took part in the 50-year anniversary revision of “Lady Sings the Blues”.
In addition to his work with Eric Clapton, Carmon has collaborated with a wide range of contemporary artists including Ariana Grande, Justin Bieber, Beyoncé, and Alya Michelson.[6] He has also contributed to the soundtracks of more than fifty feature films, including Sinners, A Complete Unknown (the Bob Dylan biopic), and the 2023 remake of The Color Purple. Over the course of his career, he has appeared on more than 250 albums spanning gospel, R&B, and pop.
Carmon has served as a music producer for national events at the White House, including the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony and concerts held on the White House lawn.[7][8] He also served as music supervisor for American Idol for three consecutive seasons, overseeing live performance arrangements and artist accompaniment.
Awards and nominations
Carmon appears on Send One Your Love by Boney James, which was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Traditional R&B Performance at the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards.[9][10]
Selected credits
- Eric Clapton – Reptile (2001) – Hammond organ, acoustic piano, synthesizer.[3]
- B.B. King & Eric Clapton – Riding With The King (2000) – organ.[11]
- Michael McDonald – Motown Two (2004) – piano, Wurlitzer electric piano, synthesizer, organ.[12]
- Boney James – Send One Your Love (2009) – keyboards, arrangements, keyboard bass.[9]
- Dreamgirls (2006) – arrangements, piano, keyboards.[13]