With his highly regarded discography, unique compositions, and acclaimed performances in a variety of configurations, multiple GRAMMY®-nominated pianist Geoffrey Keezer commands the attention typically reserved for the living legends of jazz. A native of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, Keezer was playing in jazz clubs as a teenager, holding down the piano chair for Art Blakey at age 18, and touring in the company of Ray Brown, Joshua Redman, Diana Krall, Art Farmer, Benny Golson and Barbara Hendricks in his 20s. More recently he has toured with Wayne Shorter, Dianne Reeves, David Sanborn, Chris Botti, Sting, Joe Locke and Christian McBride; produced and arranged three GRAMMY®-nominated recordings with vocalist Denise Donatelli, and released a series of albums drawing influences from Hawaiian, Okinawan and Afro-Peruvian folk traditions. His 2009 album Áurea (ArtistShare) was nominated for a Best Latin Jazz Album GRAMMY® award. Geoffrey’s 2013 solo piano release, Heart of the Piano (Motema Records), seeks to redefine solo jazz piano as a personal and interactive showcase of melody, energy and groove, while his latest album On My Way to You (MarKeez Records 2018) is a stunning new set of music featuring his working trio with the addition of guest vocalist Gillian Margot.
Geoffrey’s compositions have been commissioned by the Mainly Mozart Festival, Art of Elán ensemble, Saint Joseph Ballet, Zeltsman Marimba Festival, Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra and Scottish National Jazz Orchestra. His music can be heard in the films What Happens in Vegas and Inhale, and in numerous TV shows including The Young and the Restless (CBS), Parks and Recreation (NBC), House of Lies (Showtime), and Casual (Hulu Original).
Time Magazine wrote, “Geoffrey has more than enough virtuosity and sheer musical wit and intelligence to weave all of his apparently disparate strands of influence into an original and compelling whole”, and pop icon Sting said “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.”
Album Review
Interview
Extended Analysis
Live Review
Radio & Podcasts
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December 01, 2018
StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: Spotlight on Geoffrey Keezer
July 20, 2018
Expressive Vocalist Christine Hitt Releases "Magical Kite," Produced By...
August 18, 2012
Grammy Nominated Vocalist Denise Donatelli Releases New Recording "Soul...
March 16, 2012
Vibraphonist Joe Locke Debuts on Motema with New CD from The Joe...
February 05, 2011
"VIA" - the new recording by the Storms/Nocturnes Trio: Tim Garland,...
October 01, 2010
Be a Part of Storms/Nocturnes' New Album, Featuring Geoffrey Keezer,...
December 16, 2009
Geoffrey Keezer Nominated for a Grammy
July 20, 2008
Pianist Geoffrey Keezer Interviewed at AAJ
January 31, 2008
Geoffrey Keezer with Ron Blake- February 22, 2008 - Harlem in the...
July 20, 2006
Joe Locke/Geoffrey Keezer Group's CD Live in Seattle Released
"Geoffrey possesses a refreshingly open-eared sensibility in the modern manner, and he has more than enough virtuosity and sheer musical wit and intelligence to weave all of his apparently disparate strands of influence into an original and compelling whole." —Time Magazine
"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
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"Geoffrey possesses a refreshingly open-eared sensibility in the modern manner, and he has more than enough virtuosity and sheer musical wit and intelligence to weave all of his apparently disparate strands of influence into an original and compelling whole." —Time Magazine
"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
“Mr. Keezer is the kind of straight-ahead piano player you wish for: multifaceted,
responsive, constantly sifting through colors and shapes, bursting with a personal
and sincere enthusiasm.” - The New York Times
"Beautiful playing! I love your improvised pianisms together with your wonderful compositions. Very inspiring!" —Chick Corea
"Geoffrey possesses a refreshingly open-eared sensibility in the modern manner, and he has more than enough virtuosity and sheer musical wit and intelligence to weave all of his apparently disparate strands of influence into an original and compelling whole." —Time Magazine
"The wow factor, in full force at the start of the show, had morphed into an I-can't-friggin-believe-what-I'm hearing phenomenon by the end of the night, as a normally subdued Seattle jazz audience found itself hooting and hollering as if the Seahawks had won the Superbowl." —All About Jazz
"Regardless of context or style, Geoffrey Keezer is equally comfortable in all-acoustic settings and those requiring more contemporary use of electronics. Consistently inventive and virtuosic, Keezer is, above all, unfailingly musical." —All About Jazz
"Keezer has evolved a singular style of intellectually abstract lyricism woven over exotically complex rhythms and harmonies." —Andrea Canter, The Jazz Police
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Primary Instrument
Keyboards
Location
New York City