Ian Underwood

Ian Underwood (born May 22, 1939) is a saxophonist, flautist and pianist. He was a member of The Mothers of Invention, ('I am the straight member of the group') and later worked with Frank Zappa on his solo recordings, most notably on 1969's Hot Rats. He later married Ruth Komanoff (Underwood), marimbist/percussionist from the Mothers of Invention (mainly 1970s).

After his lengthy career with Frank Zappa, he pursued a career as a session keyboardist, and is known for his proficiency on the Minimoog synthesizer. His work includes various projects, including recordings for Quincy Jones, Barbra Streisand, Ronee Blakley, Hugh Cornwell and Barry Manilow. Underwood was also one of the musicians who played the main title theme for the 1980s hit series "Knight Rider" ("The Stu Phillips Scores: Knight Rider". [http://www.david-hasselhoff.com/bilder/stu-special01.jpg] ).

Underwood has also been a featured performer (mostly on piano) with James Horner on several of Horner's film scores, notably "Titanic" (1997) and "Sneakers" (1992).

Discography with Frank Zappa

*"We're Only In It For The Money"
*"Cruising With Ruben %26 The Jets"
*"Uncle Meat"
*"Burnt Weeny Sandwich"
*"Weasels Ripped My Flesh"
*"Hot Rats"
*"Chunga's Revenge"
*"Fillmore East - June 1971"
*"200 Motels"
*"Just Another Band from L.A."
*"Over-Nite Sensation"
*"Apostrophe (')"