I started playing keyboard at 15 years old in my native Mexico City, when my dad brought a Yamaha Electone organ to our living room. Over the years, the organ gave room to a piano, in which I taught myself my favorite Elton John, Billy Joel and Beatles tunes. Eventually I was part of a band in Mexico City, where my friends and I would play covers of any song known to man!
I also enjoy hitting the ivories — the keys are actually made of plastic these days, by the way — with 'Young Hazel', an eclectic band that plays a combination of latin, pop, R&B and soul songs.
I also manage to be a full-time architect and land planner and part-time faculty for an Interior Design school in Chicago.
—Raul Bean