Framed on the stage of Cactus Music by a red velvet curtain and flanked left and right by two enormous Dia De Los Muertos-styled paintings of Johnny Cash and Ray Charles, classically trained pianist and composer Kris Becker began his Saturday afternoon set with an original solo piano piece "Fanfare For Life." "Fanfare" is one of four compositions Becker played on digital piano before switching to Nord keyboard for a second set with his newish band Frozen Heat.

Like much of Becker’s music, "Fanfare's" tempo, metric and harmonic twists and orchestral voicing requires formidable keyboard technique. Becker certainly has that, but more importantly, he also has heart. And that is what you need if, when playing music, be it classical or rock 'n' roll, you want to connect with the listening audience.

After "Fanfare", Becker introduced himself as: “Kris with a ‘K.’ I’m opening for myself today …”

Before the show, Kris with a ‘K’ could be heard sound checking his vocal microphone by dryly intoning lyrics from The Pixies song "Monkey Gone To Heaven." Becker may not take himself too seriously, but he is — along with fellow band mates, guitarist Corey Stoot, bassist Andrew Seifert and drummer Tyson Sheth — very serious about making music.

Frozen Heat’s current rep is an appealing mixture of jazz-rock instrumentals, songs with Becker on lead vocals, and jams where Becker and Stoot stretch out as soloists. Their first song "Feel The Truth" included an extended solo from Stoot and quickly won over the audience of friends, fans and Cactus Music customers.

The prog-rock-ish instrumental "Glide" with its relentless interlocking 6/4 patterns wouldn’t sound out of place on a Porcupine Tree or early King Crimson recording. Having a keyboard and guitar in any band is challenging in that they’re both chordal instruments and their similar frequencies can mask the other’s sound. But Stoot deftly danced around Becker’s deliciously distorted chords with a rich, textural sound, interjecting short fills, lead lines, and some inspiring solos, including an emotional take on the ballad "Try "that complimented Becker’s plaintive delivery.

Like many of Frozen Heat’s songs, "Try" appears on Becker’s CD Inventions alongside several classically inspired pieces for solo piano.

Frozen Heat definitely knows how to groove, is not afraid of trying different ways of playing as an ensemble (including freely improvising accompaniment over the keyboard arpeggios that define the instrumental "Betrayal"), and enjoys each other’s company onstage. That last point is half the battle for any band hoping to sustain any degree longevity.

Becker has crafted a very personal brand of music for the rock performance context to give voice to his and his band’s musical chops while embracing a wide range music styles. The band's in good company, and probably have a niche in Houston’s creative and independently minded rock scene.

Frozen Heat quickly and easily connected with the Cactus Music customers Saturday afternoon, and it’s safe to say a series of club dates, a festival set or a short tour would bring them a larger audience.