Here's a review of my latest songbook from MainlyPiano.com (Kathy Parsons):
"Brian Kelly’s Pools of Light Solo Piano Songbook is a completely revised and expanded edition of the e-book that was published in 2006. Twelve of the thirteen tracks from the album are included (“Sacred Waters” is a percussion interlude that isn’t adaptable to the piano), transcribed by Kelly himself and arranged for solo piano; I helped with the editing. The Pools of Light recording is ensemble, so some of the parts for other instruments have been incorporated into the piano part to make the sheet music sound as close to the original recording as possible. Kelly also wrote four pages of performance notes to help the pianist understand his intentions and to note differences from the recording. Coming from the composer himself, these notes are invaluable!
Brian Kelly is an incredible pianist who is very fluent in jazz stylings, so his music is far from simple and would be beyond beginning and intermediate pianists’ capabilities. Some of the pieces include cadenzas that are complicated and require very nimble fingers. The jazz rhythms are complex (and a lot of fun!) and some of the pieces have difficult key signatures (noted below). Kelly has suggested fingering for some of the thornier passages and expression has been carefully indicated according to the CD. The book is printed on bright white paper with clear, crisp type, and is spiral bound. The spacing within the scores is roomy and easy to read, and the cover is a beautiful print of the album cover artwork on glossy stock, making this a very attractive book! If you are a pianist at an early advanced to advanced playing level, this book is great fun and very satisfying to play! It is available from amazon.com and www.briankelly.com, and I highly recommend it!"
A review of my new songbook written by by Kathy Parsons has been posted on MainlyPiano.com: ". . . a sparkling collection of Brian Kelly’s own transcriptions of the eleven original piano solos from his forthcoming CD release, Tomorrow’s Daydream. . . The book itself is really beautiful, with full-color glossy covers (front and back), spiral binding, 80-pound paper, and clear and clean notation. The spacing is roomy and easy to read, and some of the pieces include Brian’s suggested fingerings. The music is fun to play, but it is definitely not for beginners. . . intermediate and advanced players will find plenty to love while getting lost in this music and making it theirs. Recommended!"
Afterplay, the latest album by Brian Kelly, has been nominated for "Best Instrumental Jazz Album 2009". "Celtic Fire" (track #8 on the album) has been nominated for "Best Instrumental Jazz Song 2009" in the Just Plain Folks Music Awards. See the complete list of nominees.
Afterplay, the latest CD by pianist & composer Brian Kelly,debuted at #31 on the Smooth Indie Star Chart on March 23, 2009 and is among the "most added" (in company with Boney James, The Rippingtons, Joe Sample…). For more information about radio chart activity for Brian Kelly, visit www.briankelly.com
"Brian Kelly follows his brilliant debut release POOLS OF LIGHT with yet another outstanding, compelling collection of originals… The musical integrity and lyrical sensitivity that Mr. Kelly brings to the table for his projects is clearly evident on this release. At a time when commercial Smooth Jazz too often heads in the direction of clichÈ, Brian Kellyís AFTERPLAY is a refreshing example of how we can keep this music genre exciting and vibrant!"
Brian Kelly's latest CD, Afterplay, has ranked #3 on the NAR Top 100 Radio Chart in January 2009. This is the 3rd month in a row that Afterplay has held the #3 position in the chart. The NAR chart measures radio airplay of Contemporary Instrumental, New Age, Ambient, and World music.
Afterplay, the new CD by composer and pianist Brian Kelly, continued to hold the #3 position on the NAR Top 100 Radio Chart in December 2008. The chart tracks radio and internet airplay of New Age, Ambient, and World music.
Brian Kelly's new CD, Afterplay, is appearing on some "Best of 2008" lists including: "Best of 2008 pick by Audiosyncracy" and "Kathy Parsons' 20 Favorite CDs for 2008".
I'm currently composing and rehearsing music for a solo piano album of original compositions. The goal is to ultimately release a solo piano album and publish a companion solo piano songbook. Preview demo tracks from the album here: www.solopianocd.com or www.solopianoartist.com
My new CD, Afterplay, is available now and ready to ship! Order from my website: www.briankelly.com
$14
I've turned up the heat on this album. It's more energetic than my first, while still offering space for beauty and quiet eloquence – it's a full meal! I remain committed to strong melodies, fluid chops, and richly textured arrangements, and am joined by some fantastic musicians who really bring the music alive: Eric Crystal on sax, David Rokeach on drums, Viviana Guzman and Carol Alban on flutes, James Robinson on acoustic guitar, Ross Wilson on trumpet & trombone, and Tim Bolling on percussion. The CD is also available from: CdBaby & Amazon
Afterplay, the new CD by composer & pianist Brian Kelly, will be released October 15, 2008. A contemporary blend of Smooth Jazz and New Age styles, the album features the world-class talents of Eric Crystal on sax, David Rokeach on drums, James Robinson on guitar, Viviana Guzman on flute and other fine musicians. Both the physical CD and the mp3 album download will be available on www.briankelly.com
1. River Rush
2. Smiling South
3. New Vision
4. Snowflakes Rising
5. Flavor Seven
6. Afterplay
7. Heaven On Earth
8. Celtic Fire
9. Stone Shine
10. Reach For The Stars
11. Sunchaser
It's been a while, I know… What have I been doing?
New Album update
In July I returned to the studio to record tracks with percussionist, Tim Bolling. This month I'm working with mixing engineer, Gary Mankin, to bring the production to a new level of excellence.
If you'd like to hear a preview of the album, there's a montage of 30-second samples from every tune on the album posted at: www.smoothjazzpiano.com
I'm very proud to appear on the debut CD by Alexander Orchestra, Opus Everlasting. Violinist Alex Sneicki has created some memorably melodic and richly-textured music. The style could be described as Classical Crossover / World-Music. My piano playing is featured in 7 tracks. I very much enjoyed the magical synergy of our work together. Among my favorite tracks are: "One Last Look" and "Ocean Song".
Please… take a LISTEN & SUPPORT independent music.
New CD Update
Filling out the roster of excellent musicians on my upcomingCD release will be: Viviana Guzman – Flute. Viviana has performed as soloist with orchestras in Russia, Chile, Vermont, New York, Wisconsin, California, Texas, and Montana, in such halls as Carnegie Hall, Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center, and other prominent stages with such artists as Mikhail Baryshnikov, Placido Domingo… Read more…
Recording and mixing of the new Brian Kelly CD are progressing beautifully. In addition to James Robinson on guitar and Ross Wilson on trumpet and trombone, tracks will feature:
Eric was recently named one of the top 10 Rising Star Soprano Saxophone players in the renowned Downbeat Annual Critics Poll. He has worked with with Boz Scaggs, Omar Sosa, and others.
David has performed and/or recorded with: Aretha Franklin, Patti LaBelle, Ray Charles, Joe Satriani, Aaron Neville, Steve Miller, and many other world-class musicians.
Episode 3 includes a Bonus Track from the Southeast Asian release of Brian Kelly's CD, Pools of Light (re-titled "Expect a Miracle" on the Orange Music label), and 2 tracks from Pools Of Light. To listen, visit: PianoPodcasts.net
Recording is under way for Brian Kelly's new CD. Tracks will feature: James Robinsonon guitar, James won San Francisco radio station KKSF's prestigious Bay Area Artist Contest and has a track on KKSF CD Sampler for AIDS Relief, Volume 14.
Ross Wilson on trumpet and trombone. Ross has worked with many legendary musicians, from Sammy Hagar to Tito Puente.
The rest of the line-up (sax, flute, drums) will be announced in the next newsletter.
Brian Kelly's Pools of Light CD is eligible for nomination in the following categories for the 2005 NAR (NewAgeReporter) Lifestyle Music Awards:
Album of The Year
Best New Artist
Best Instrumental Album – Piano
Best Contemporary Instrumental Album
Voting is done by the Broadcasters (Show Hosts) that have reported Top 20 Reports to NewAgeReporter during the October 2004 thru November 2005. Winners will be announced Feb. 19, 2006.
"Open Sky" (the first track from the Pools of Light CD by Brian Kelly) is featured on the New Age CD Sampler released by Oasis CD Manufacturing on track #12, Disc 1. The double-disc promotional CD will be sent to college and community radio stations throughout the U.S. in December 2005.
Sheet music for "Unfolding" (track 4 from my Pools of Light CD) is available for purchase on my website. Now all 12 of the piano instrumentals from the CD are avalilable online. Go to: www.briankelly.com/sheet-music/
Southeast Asia: For those of you living or traveling in Southeast Asia, Pools of Light is now in the stores at Sembawang Music Centres in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand. It includes two bonus tracks: "April Sky" and "Tracing Rainbows". The album has been retitled "Expect A Miracle" and the artwork has been slightly modified (shown below)
Brian Kelly's Pools of Light CD has ranked #1 on the NAR radio chart for two consecutive months: June AND July 2005! (NAR= New Age Radio) Thank you radio producer/hosts for appreciating and supporting my music.
Brian Kelly's Pools of Light CD is #1 on the instrumental music radio chart! After one month of promotion to radio stations around the world, my CD, Pools of Light, entered the New Age Reporter (NAR) charts at the #1 position for June 2005. NAR logs all radio play by reporting New Age/Instrumental radio programs around the world. It is essentially the 'Billboard' of the New Age radio market. My music is currently being heard on over 175 radio programs.
"Brian Kelly’s Pools of Light Solo Piano Songbook is a completely revised and expanded edition of the e-book that was published in 2006. Twelve of the thirteen tracks from the album are included (“Sacred Waters” is a percussion interlude that isn’t adaptable to the piano), transcribed by Kelly himself and arranged for solo piano; I helped with the editing. The Pools of Light recording is ensemble, so some of the parts for other instruments have been incorporated into the piano part to make the sheet music sound as close to the original recording as possible. Kelly also wrote four pages of performance notes to help the pianist understand his intentions and to note differences from the recording. Coming from the composer himself, these notes are invaluable!
