Billy Preston is lauded as one of the greatest session keyboardists of his era, but he also had an esteemable career as a soloist. Born in Houston in 1946, he was a child prodigy, playing virtuosic piano by the age of 10. His star grew backing rock ’n’ roll and R&B greats like Little Richard, Ray Charles and Sam Cooke. After playing with The Beatles during the band’s final studio sessions in 1969, Preston began his solo career in earnest, landing soulful, funky pop hits such as “Will It Go Round in Circles” (1973) and “Nothing from Nothing” (1974). In the following two decades, his output declined, though he made sporadic returns to musical life (see his lovely playing on “You Can’t Beat God Giving” from Gaither’s Gospel Pioneer Reunion concert), and in the years before his passing in 2006, he collaborated with Johnny Cash, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Eric Clapton and others.