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This year I'll be sharing album projects with you as they progress, starting with my newest contemporary jazz project: "Walk on Fire". It is comprised of 12 instrumental tracks in which I play all of the parts: piano/keyboards, percussion, and sampled instruments. The song formations and arrangements are essentially complete. However, some of these tracks sound a bit "Muzaky" to my ear. So, the next stage in the process will be to record live musicians (playing acoustic instruments: sax, flute, bass, drums) and replace or enhance the sampled tracks. Right now, I'm working on creating music charts (sheet music) for the musicians in preparation for recording sessions.
I invite you to listen, comment, make suggestions, or just enjoy. Tell me what you like or don't like. Suggest song titles or tell me which track should be first… Just go to SoundCloud and, while listening to a track, click on the blue bar below the audio waveform to add your comments/suggestions (see example: right). You'll be prompted to login by using your Facebook account or establishing an account on SoundCloud ~~ easy. I look forward to hearing from you!
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!"
Kathy Parsons, influential educator and supporter of contemporary and new age piano music, has posted a review of my new solo piano songbook, Tomorrow's Daydream." Here is the entire review:
Tomorrow's Daydream Solo Piano Songbook is a sparkling collection of Brian Kelly's own transcriptions of the eleven original piano solos from his forthcoming CD release, Tomorrow's Daydream. This folio is a little bit unusual in that the sheet music book is being released before the actual CD has been recorded. Brian's transcriptions and the subsequent editing (by yours truly) were done from a demo recording Brian made with his electronic piano. Since much of Brian's music is jazz-oriented, the final version of the recording will undoubtedly be different from the songbook, but the book represents how Brian felt the songs were best notated and played at the time, and the songs' essence will remain the same. It is important to note that Brian is offering free access to the Members Area on his site to those who buy the book from his site (the book is also available from Amazon, but since Brian has no way of knowing who buys the book from Amazon, he cannot make this offer available to those who purchase it there.) While in the Members Area, people can listen to the whole album as well as other music Brian is working on. This little perk can be a huge help in hearing the tempi of the music and the general style of the pieces.
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. For example, if you find David Nevue's sheet music challenging, you might want to wait on this one until you get a bit more advanced. Timing is moderately complicated, some of the harmonies are complex, and several pieces are in difficult key signatures. The title song and parts of “Life Stream” are in the key of F# (six sharps), but “All of Thee Above” is in A minor and “Journey Home” is in C (no sharps or flats). A few spots have reaches of more than an octave, but not many. The music is challenging, but late intermediate and advanced players will find plenty to love while getting lost in this music and making it theirs. Recommended!
Recording… This spring I hope finally to record the Tomorrow's Daydream album on a real grand piano – in all likelihood, a Fazioli F278.
Two more songbooks… A revised edition of my "Pools Of Light" songbook (currently available only as a pdf file) will be published as a printed, coil-bound songbook. Also in the works is a printed songbook of twelve new solo piano pieces.
I've just released sheet music for two songs from my Afterplay album. These are Piano Transcriptions of "Afterplay" (track #6) and "Celtic Fire" (track #8). They're available now on my website as pdf downloads. 7 pages each, price: $4 each ~ recommended for advanced players or those who want insight into my piano technique, improvisational style, and contemporary jazz voicings. Go to: http://www.briankelly.com/sheet-music/
Here's an iMix of Smooth Jazz Piano favorites, including some of my own tracks from Pools Of Light and Afterplay. If you like it, please rate it 5-stars. Enjoy!
My keyboard/piano work can be heard on 3 tracks on the debut album by Blue Alice. The music is described as psychedelic rock / hypno-pop. Check it out.
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
"There is a sense of raw and unadulterated joy in the playing that escapes many artists.You'll definitely want to keep your ears on this gent. He'll be at the top of the charts before you know it … Grand energy and style that gets a HIGHLY RECOMMENDED from me – very impressive! "-Improvijazzation
"the swing and complexity of melodic jazz and the studio precision of Steely Dan… make a confident statement. "- East Bay Express
Enjoying the CD already? Post your own review atCdBaby, Amazon, or iTunes.
"Angels Breathing" (from my Pools of Light album) is included on a new compilation CD called "Music In Motion", which showcases the music of piano artists from North America, New Zealand and Europe, who offered their music for audio-visual projects at Swan Lake: Moving Image & Music Award. I'm in excellent company here. Experience some great music by other pianists. The CD is available now at: NewAgePiano.net
CD Review: Afterplay / Brian Kelly
Reviewed by Kathy Parsons
Publication: MainlyPiano.com
Date: Nov. 2, 2008
“Afterplay” is pianist/composer Brian Kelly’s follow-up to his exceptional 2004 debut, “Pools of Light.” Bright and upbeat, “Afterplay” provides a bit of sonic optimism in these days of uncertainty and change. Don’t get me wrong – this is far from ear candy or sugary fluff. More jazz than new age, Kelly has created a collection of eleven rhythmically and melodically complex pieces that are easily accessible for casual listening yet provide a substantial and sensual auditory experience for many repeated plays. Brian Kelly appears on piano, keyboards, percussion, penny whistle, and voice, and is joined by Eric Crystal on sax, David Rokeach on drums, Ross Wilson on brass, Carol Alban and Viviana Guzman on flute, James Robinson on guitar, and Tim Bolling on additional percussion. “Afterplay” begins with “River Rush,” a piece that is both energetic and leisurely. Piano and percussion give the silky sax a slight edge, providing an enticing opening to the musical pleasures that follow. “Smiling South” is one of my favorites. Beginning with an infectious rhythm and a playful piano intro, this piece dances and swirls with a joyful energy. Ross Wilson adds additional color and pizzaz with trumpet and trombone – love it! “New Vision” slows down the pace a bit, but maintains an upbeat, easy-going mood. “Snowflakes” Rising” is a gentle, sparkling musical confection – another favorite. I also really like “Flavor Seven,” again playful and full of fun with just a touch of mystery. The title track brings back the sax along with piano and some catchy rhythms – smooth jazz with a gentle bite. “Heaven On Earth” is a gorgeous trio for piano and two flutes. As the title implies, it conveys a blissful, floating feeling that is pure musical peace. “Stone Shine” features Kelly on a variety of keyboards along with guitar and percussion. Rhythmic and a little on the dark side, its playful energy is infectious. “Sunchaser” closes the CD as it began, easy and joyful with a toe-tapping rhythm and a warm sense of contentment. Brian Kelly has outdone himself with his second release. If you haven’t yet heard “Pools of Light,” be sure to pick up a copy of that one, too – the two CDs complement each other exceptionally well.
"Seeds" (original title "Angels Breathing") by Rebecca Johnson, Tobias Albrecht and Robert J. Wierzbicki with music by Brian Kelly is now available for online viewing.
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
Brian Kelly will perform his original piano instrumental music on Sunday Sept. 23, 2007 between 10am-6pm at the Pleasanton Heritage Festival located at
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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.
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
Pianist & composer Brian Kelly has launched a new website called PianoPodcasts.net. "PianoPodcasts will feature Solo Piano and Piano Instrumental music from independent contemporary artists in diverse styles, as well as recordings of my own work. In the first episode I start things off with 3 un-released pieces of my own (April Sky, Circles in Air, Reach for the Stars)."
Tell me what you like or don't like. Suggest song titles or tell me which track should be first… Just go to SoundCloud and, while listening to a track, click on the blue bar below the audio waveform to add your comments/suggestions (see example: right). You'll be prompted to login by using your Facebook account or establishing an account on SoundCloud ~~ easy. I look forward to hearing from you!
