The Keyboard Chronicles

The Keyboard Chronicles


Jordan Rudess, Dream Theater / Liquid Tension Experiment (Part 1)

June 23, 2025

We can’t think of a better way to celebrate 150 episodes than by bringing the first part of a two-part interview with Jordan Rudess. Whether you’re a fan of Dream Theater, Liquid Tension Experiment or Jordan’s playing more broadly, there’s lots to enjoy in this episode. In Part 1 we delve pretty deeply into AI and music, Jordan’s musical upbringing, the current Dream Theater tour, maintaining hand dexterity and a whole lot more.

To listen / watch:

Audio-only: click on the play button in the audio player above, or: Video: watch the embedded video below or check it and previous episodes out on our YouTube Channel

Discussion topics covered during the show (links will open in new tab):  

Jordan’s AI Music / ‘jamming partner’ project 

Jordan’s perspective on up and downsides of AI in music

Jordan’s musical upbringing

Rosina Lhevinne

The iconic Adele Marcus and the tipping point that pointed Jordan’s career a different way

Post Juilliard, exploring ‘space music’

Jordan’s solo album – Permission to Fly 

Dream Theater – Parasomnia

Touring with Dream Theater and the excitement of having Mike Portnoy back

Dream Theater in action live, 2025

Looking back on the drummer auditioning process Dream Theater went through when Mike Portnoy left in 2010.

Rehearsal and production preparation for the current tour

Potential for Dream Theater touring Australia in 2026

On playing from the other side of the keyboard – check our Jordan’s work here on ‘Any Colour You Like’

The contrast of learning guitar versus playing piano / keyboards

Maintaining hand dexterity and speed in playing 

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