2 Time Grammy Nominee: Geoffrey Keezer “HEART OF THE PIANO” @ Upstairs at Vitello's

“In the universe of piano players that I have been
exposed to over the years, Geoffrey has proved himself to be not only a
superb technician and improviser, but also above and beyond this, a
composer and conceptualist who can maintain the overall line and the DNA
of the song in everything he plays. A musician’s musician.” – Sting

Legendary jazz pianist and two- time GRAMMY® nominee, Geoffrey Keezer, celebrates the release of  Heart of the Piano, his
first solo project in 13 years on Motema Music.  Paying homage to some
of his favorite artists ranging from the legendary rock band Rush, to
Peter Gabriel, Alanis Morrisette, Hank Jones, Christian McBride and
Donald Brown,  the virtuosic improviser  is on a mission to redefine
solo jazz piano as a personal and interactive showcase of melody, energy
and groove. Of his many diverse projects, Heart of the Piano is
the most direct and focused recording of Keezer’s career.  And,  after
more than 20 years leading his various ensembles and collaborating with
artists from Art Blakey to Chris Botti to Sting, Keezer says, “now it’s
time for me to be me.”  For this performance,  Keezer has also enlisted
the services of another artist, San Diego based artist Billy Martinez,
whose paintings grace the artwork for the album and merchandising
materials.  Martinez will join Keezer on stage for a unique art/improv
piece which will culminate in original artwork that will be available
for sale.

Keezer’s only previous solo recording, Zero One, was
released in 1999 when the pianist was a mere 29. Yet the Eau Claire, WI
native, now 42, was already a veteran performer, having taken over the
piano bench for Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers after a year at the
Berklee College of Music. He felt it was time to reconsider the solo
piano format. “I think I am a better pianist in general. I have a lot
more technical control over the instrument–more subtleties, better touch
and better sound. There’s just more life behind it, informing
everything.” That intervening life includes marriage, fatherhood,
relocating to Southern California, years as a sideman with Ray Brown,
Christian McBride and Chris Botti, and collaborations with Hawaiian
slack-key guitarist Keola Beamer, Okinawan vocalist Yasukatsu Oshima,
guitar legend Jim Hall, vibes master Joe Locke (Locke/Keezer Group), and
saxophonist Tim Garland (Storms/Nocturnes), among others. Keezer also
has garnered two GRAMMY® nominations to date, for Best Latin Jazz Album (Auréa) and Best Arrangement Accompanying a Vocalist (“Don’t Explain” by jazz vocalist Denise Donatelli from her album When Lights Are Low,
produced by Keezer and nominated for Best Jazz Vocal Album in 2010).
Geoffrey also produced and arranged Donatelli’s follow-up recording, Soul Shadows, which received a second Best Jazz Vocal Album nomination this year.