Barnes, John

John Barnes, Jr. (1949, Los Angeles, CA – March 19, 2022) was a pianist, keyboard player, producer, and arranger best known for his work with Michael Jackson. He also recorded or performed with artists including Celine Dion, Lionel Richie, Bette Midler, Toni Braxton, Diana Ross, and Julio Iglesias, and produced records for Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, and Whitney Houston, among others. As a musician, Barnes leads on the piano in the memorable opening riff of Gloria Gaynor's hit "I Will Survive".

Source: johnbarnesmusic.com