Brian Kelly

Bay Area composer/pianist, Brian Kelly, produces a contemporary blend of New Age, Classical, World-Music, & Jazz instrumental music. Heart-felt melodies, suggestive grooves, rich orchestrations... playful, yet sublime.

He would like to thank the academy, his fans, and the many music industry executives who have supported him throughout his illustrious recording career - keeping him on the charts and off the streets! ... He would also like to tell the truth... The truth is, this talented musician continues to toil in obscurity (mature like a fine wine) after more than two decades of pointless struggle (unflagging optimism) and devotion to his craft. He has composed prolifically, forged a personal style, become a masterful piano improviser - fluent in the many dialects of Jazz and Classical music, and still manages pretends to keep up with the latest digital audio technology.

The award for “most listened-to-music in Brian’s formative years” would have to be a tie between Beethoven’s First Piano Concerto and side 2 of The Beatles Abbey Road. “Outstanding musical heros” awards would go to: Lyle Mays, Chick Corea, Ravel, Chopin, and Britney Spears.

Also influencing his musical palette is his extensive background in musical theatre. As a teenager, he performed as an actor and singer in over 20 productions at The Palo Alto Children’s Theatre and TheatreWorks, sang a capella Renaissance music for 4 years, and was a member of the California State Honors Choir. In the 1980s his jazz quartet, The Arts and Leisure Section performed throughout New England and In the ‘90s his keyboards fueled the psychedelic, world-music improvisational excursions of What If?.

Brian holds a Bachelors degree in music from Hampshire College. He won Keyboard Magazine's "5th Annual Reader's Soundpage Contest" for his piece,“Todd Pond”. He has studied with jazz pianist Art Lande, accompanied modern dance classes, arranged and produced a children's album, and produced music for corporate multimedia and video presentations. A prolific composer, he has written over 250 pieces.

Currently, Brian is finishing production on Journey Home, a suite of neo-classical piano instrumentals for his own independent label, SkyLight Music™. The CD is scheduled for release in August 2000. Also in the works is his contemporary jazz debut, Spark, featuring sax and percussion.

Please visit this site again find out about upcoming concerts, purchase CD’s, join his email list, view sheet music, and listen to RealAudio clips from his upcoming releases: Journey Home and Spark.