Section: Information


Eugene "Man-Man" Roberts
Keyboards, MD

From church drummer in Philly to touring keyboardist in front of packed arenas, Eugene Roberts has come a long way in a short time. Affectionately dubbed “Mr. Roland” by his bandmates, Roberts has been a fanatical Roland user for years, and he even sports a pair of custom-made Roland/Adidas sneakers. He is currently on tour with multi-platinum and Grammy-winning artist, John Legend. He started off as a drummer in church, then he played on some hip-hop and R&B gigs. But then he took it upon himself to learn how to play keyboards. How did he get the gig with John Legend? "Actually, I started out as the drum tech and stage manager, and then I started sound-checking John’s piano, and he heard me and the band heard me. Then the old keyboard player left and they needed someone who could play parts, and you know, I can play whatever they need." Asked about what he has learned from his experience on the road with John Legend, Eugene said: "When I was on the New Jack Swing tour, I was both the keyboard player and the production manager, so I got to learn both sides of things. With John, it’s a disciplined gig. We play the album, in detail, including the collaboration he did with Kanye (“Number One”). On the single, “Save Room” that Will.I.Am produced, I had to sample the original sound and stretch it and loop it and layer it, so it’s really been a sound designing gig also."

Videos
• Man-Man with John Legend on Gallien-Krueger
• Roberts talks to OntheGig.Com
• Just Like Music - Twyse and the BandWagon
• Man-Man on the keytar

Links
• Eugene's MySpace page

Gallery
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