Growing up in Germany, Michael Kaeshammer began studying classical piano at an early age.
His father was a big jazz and ragtime fan, however and Kaeshammer -- who appears at Nanaimo's Port Theatre Oct. 14 -- used to listen to his father's records.
"One day my dad brings home a Pete Johnson record and puts it on and I think to myself 'Holy s--- I didn't know anybody could play piano like that.'
"I think I gave up my classical studies right after that."
Kaeshammer's show on the 14th will be the third time he has demonstrated his skills in Nanaimo.
For his third show, he shares the bill with blues artist Harry Manx.
"This time the show is just Harry and myself," Kaeshammer, 29, said of the tour which kicked off in Whistler.
Kaeshammer and Manx grew to know and respect each others artistry "performing at numerous music festivals over the years," Kaeshammer said. "Each of us do a solo set in the first half of the show to let the audience see what we do and let them wonder how are they going to perform together during the intermission.
"The thing with Harry is our musical backgrounds and musical styles are so different," Kaeshammer said. "It's a blast playing with him," he says of Manx.
For tickets to the Michael Kaeshamer/Harry Manx show call the Port Theatre box office at 250-754-8550 or visit 125 Front St. The ticket centre is open Monday to Friday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday noon to 5 p.m. and two hours before each show.