German keyboardist and violinist Martin Gerschwitz started out in the classical world — he was playing with orchestras by the time he was 16 — until his brother turned him on to rock ’n’ roll. From the ’70s on, Gerschwitz made his name on the road with such artists as Percy Sledge, Lita Ford, Meatloaf, Eric Burdon and the Animals and Vanilla Fudge, as well as his own projects The Avengers and Break Point. Recent years have seen him tour as a keyboardist and vocalist with the reunited Iron Butterfly, but Gerschwitz’s focus now lies in his eclectic solo career, which encompasses piano-driven classic rock (with his Martin Gerschwitz & Friends projects), blues and instrumental compositions.

A frequent visitor to the Pacific Northwest, catch Gerschwitz on his return trip to McMenamins Old St. Francis School on Wednesday.

Martin Gerschwitz: 7 p.m. Wednesday; free; McMenamins Old St. Francis School, 700 NW Bond St., Bend; mcmenamins.com or 541-382-5174.