Up the Mississippi with My 88s

Billy Sapienza (aka Billy Keys/Billy Chicago) has been playing keyboards since age 7.  His mother required her 6 children to take classical piano lessons, but it was his father’s boogie-woogie piano playing after a hard day at the office that piqued Billy’s interest.  Growing up in Chicago in the 60s exposed him to blues, rock, jazz, and soul. Watching his dad, Billy learned to play boogie-woogie.  But when he discovered the magic inverted 6th chord, the  whole world of rock, blues, and jazz opened.

Billy’s musical influences include Muddy Waters, Corky Siegal, Professor Longhair, Dr. John, Marsha Ball, McCoy Tyner, Thelonius Monk, Lyle Mays, Pat Metheny, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Chic Corea, Herbie Hancock, Count Basie, Louis Armstrong, Billie Holiday, The Beatles, Rolling Stones, Nicky Hopkins, Joni Mitchell, Laura Nyro, Pink Floyd, Chuck Berry, Grateful Dead, Nick Drake, Steve Forbert, Bruce Springsteen, etc.  Being left-handed, that boogie-woogie bottom always sneaks in wherever it can.

Throughout his many years Supply Chain Logistics operations, music was Billy’s creative outlet, and always had some kind of gig or open mic in his life.   Playing music is critical to his well-being.  He remains very involved with the Water Witch Foundation, spreading music to everyone everywhere with its long-standing open mics and other special events.  His current band, The Haugenes Project, continues to rock bluesy party music going on 7 years.  And he still seeks out any lonely piano dying to be played.

A long-time resident of Red Bank, Billy relaxes at home with his wife Jackie and the various keyboards laying around the house, is down the street from where Count Basie grew up.  Both of his sons enjoy playing music as well, and on occasion (usually Mardi Gras) the whole family jams together.