Andrea Keller

Primary Instrument: Piano

Last Updated: April 26, 2013

Three Lanes:

“It’s not surprising that this foray out of Keller’s comfort zone works so well – after all, her work is always lit brightly by the spark of originality… Acoustic, electronic, prepared, improvised and composed elements are interwoven with subtlety, so that there is no feel of artificiality or domination by devices. Review of ‘Three Lanes’ by Roger Mitchell, Ausjazz Blog, April 16, 2012.

“An avant garde, post modern exploration of jazz music. An incredibly innovative and ambitious project.” Review of ‘Three Lanes’ Eastside897fm, April, 2012.

Solo piano:

“Delightful in itself, this will also send you back through favourite Wayne Shorter, Miles Davis and Jazz Messengers albums.” Review of ‘Footprints’ by John Clare, The Sydney Morning Herald, April 25, 2008.

“She gives Shorter’s melodies such freedom and vitality that they sound completely spontaneous. At other times her improvisations are so flawlessly structured as to seem set in stone…. This is Keller’s first album without the support of a band or collaborator and it is a ripper.” Review of ‘Footprints’ by Aaron Searle, Music Forum, May – July, 2008. “Imaginatively, she explores the possibilities of her instruments, delighting in her decisions to adjust or retain forms, celebrate harmonies and melodies, and create opportunities for improvisation.” Review of ‘Footprints’ by Roger Mitchell, Sunday Herald Sun, October 5, 2008.

The Andrea Keller Quartet:

“Keller’s latest album proves…that this ensemble is one of the most interesting and consistent in Australian jazz… Brilliant performances by one of this country’s most consistent and enduring ensembles… An embarrassment of riches, and thoroughly recommended.” Review of ‘Galumphing Round the Nation’ by Aaron Searle, MCA Music Forum Magazine, Nov 2010-Jan 2011.

“A feast of compositional and playing styles…Galumphing ably airs the nation’s talent.” Review of ‘Galumphing Round the Nation’ by Roger Mitchell Sunday Herald Sun, August 22, 2010.

“A musical portmanteau; holding in its manifold pockets six Kellaborations, all brillig & frabjous.” Review of ‘Galumphing Round the Nation’ by Arjun von Caemmerer, www.extempore.com.au/?page_id=1126, 2010.

“Keller has one of Australia’s most consistently interesting musical minds.” Review of ‘Little Claps’ by Doug Spencer, www.abc.net.au/rn/weekendplanet/, August, 2007.

“A prayer of thanks seems appropriate. The meeting thirteen years ago of 20 year olds Eugene Ball, Ian Whitehurst and Andrea Keller has grown into a musical congregation of faith that has fulfilled much hope and given us much to love” Review of ‘Little Claps’ by Roger Mitchell, The Herald Sun, August 19, 2007.

“Their music is both friendly and deep. Their colours and textures are brilliantly recorded on this disc, their best I think.” Review of ‘Little Claps’ by John Clare, The Sydney Morning Herald, November, 2007.

“A beautifully conceived work with an awareness of both jazz tradition and aspects of modernist European art music…Keller and her players are consistently outstanding.” Review of ‘Little Claps’ by Michael Webb, www.jazz.org.au, November, 2007.

“Keller's compositions are innately distinctive and interesting. If jazz conventionally has a soul rooted in the blues, Keller's version is much more cross-fertilised with contemporary classical music… Keller was a joy throughout with her delicate touch and beautiful ways of building tension.” Review of the Andrea Keller Quartet Sydney, by John Shand, The Sydney Morning Herald, March 4, 2006.

“One of this country's most daring and fascinating composers, she produces work that bristles with surprises, a powerful blend of European lyricism with space and improvisation.” Review of 'Angels and Rascals' by Leon Gettler, The AGE, May 5, 2005.

“One of the most original thinkers on the Australian scene... she has the priceless ability to think outside the square.” Review of 'Angels and Rascals' by Adrian Jackson, Rhythms, August, 2005.

“Pianist Andrea Keller is a major talent on the thriving Australian scene... Apart from being an outstanding piano player, Keller has the gift for writing totally distinctive and engaging compositions. This recording stands as a marker of just how good Australian jazz is.” Review of 'Angels and Rascals' by Bev Stapleton, AllAboutJazz.com, January, 2006.

“Glorious!” Review of 'Angels and Rascals' by John Clare, The Sydney Morning Herald, June 18-19, 2005.

“These musicians (are) such a fine and inspiring lot.” Review of 'Angels and Rascals' by Jasmine Crittenden, Drum Media, July 5, 2005.

“Angels and Rascals is further compelling evidence of Keller's brilliance.” Review of 'Angels and rascals' by Kenny Weir, Sunday Herald Sun, July 24, 2005.

“Ingenious compositions…Keller is a fine technician and fiery improviser who can also withdraw into a soft-focus world of dreams, impressions and confessions.” Review of ‘Thirteen Sketches’ by John Shand, The Sydney Morning Herald, February 23-24, 2002.

“From the opening notes of the first track, as her energetic piano ostinato sets up a range of themes, it’s clear that Andrea Keller has an impressive recording on her hands … Keller has been justifiably lauded for her virtuosic and sensitive pianistic abilities.” Review of ‘Thirteen Sketches’ by Ashleigh Wilson, The Weekend Australian, October 6 – 7, 2001.

“Keller joins the more creative writers for this instrumentation worldwide.” Review of ‘Thirteen Sketches’ by John Clare, MCA Music Forum, Oct-Nov, 2001.

The Bartok Project:

“It’s a potent combination of players and Keller’s superb writing and arranging makes the most of their talents – both as interpreters and improvisers.” Review of ‘Mikrokosmos’ by Jessica Nicholas, The Age, March 6, 2002.

“Keller is a very accomplished pianist indeed with a sure touch, deft technique and strong improvisational ideas… This is an extremely important and visionary project in the overall output of Australian new music.” Review of ‘Mikrokosoms’ by Mark Isaacs, Music Forum.

“Keller’s Mikrokosoms project is a winner.” Review of ‘The Bartok Project’ by Xenia Hanusiak, The Herald Sun, January 28, 2003.

“Keller has extended the piano works with tact, taste, intelligence and imagination… they are highly pleasing – often quite magical and exciting – adaptations.” Review of ‘Mikrokosoms’ by John Clare, the Sydney Morning Herald, January 4, 2003..

“Keller is becoming one of those musicians whose CD you can buy without a listening test because you are assured of getting something special.” Review of ‘Mikrokosmos’ by Ashleigh Wilson, The Weekend Australian, January 25-26, 2003.

“A superb album.” Review of ‘Mikrokosoms’ in Café Beat, summer 2002.

“Keller oozed a joy in playing, and her outstanding credentials as a composer were witnessed… a major talent.” John Shand, The Sydney Morning Herald, August 23, 2001.

Three Lanes (AK001, 2012) In 2010 Andrea was awarded a two-year Australia Council fellowship to create a large body of work. Three Lanes is a result of this fellowship program. The members of Three Lanes are: ANDREA KELLER Piano GENEVIEVE LACEY Recorders JOE TALIA Revox 77, electronics and percussion Three celebrated Australian musicians, each leaders in their respective fields of classical, jazz and improvised musics, converge to share their passion for musical communication and discovery of new sound worlds. Keller saw the formation of this trio as an opportunity to create new music with two of her most admired, intriguing and broad-minded musical colleagues, recorder virtuoso Genevieve Lacey, and long-time collaborator Joe Talia on electronics and percussion. The repertoire, composed by Keller, serves as a musical exploration of the broad possibilities present within this cross-genre ensemble. Using electronic manipulation of live sounds, manipulation of pre-recorded music by the trio, improvisation, and more traditional notions of ensemble playing, the combination of acoustic, electronic, prepared, improvised and composed elements, creates a rich tapestry of musical nuance. Keller strives to create platforms for musical interaction and conversation. Her method of composing for the individuals in her ensemble, allows that each of these distinctive musicians are given voice in this trio, celebrating their uniqueness, while facilitating meeting points and establishing a shared language for rewarding musical communication. Three Lanes recorded their debut self-titled album in October 2011. Released in Australia on March 2, 2012. Available from www.andreakellerpiano.com, andreakeller.bandcamp.com and all good CD and digital store. Stand-alone extended work Boy, composed by Keller, and performed by Three Lanes with string quartet, is available exclusively through digital stores.
Galumphing Round the Nation: Collaborations Project: Andrea Keller Quartet (Jazzhead, 2010)
Life that Lingers: Wilson/Keller (Downstream, 2009)
Hush volume 8: A Castle for All (Hush, 2008)
The Snip: Bennetts Lane Big Band (ABC Jazz, 2008)
Footprints: The Wayne Shorter Project: Andrea Keller (ABC Jazz, 2007)
Little Claps: Andrea Keller Quartet (Jazzhead, 2007)
Carried by the Sun: Keller/Murphy/Browne (Jazzhead, 2006)
Angels and Rascals: Andrea Keller Quartet (ABC Jazz, 2005)
Mikrokosmos: Andrea Keller's Bartok Project (ABC Jazz 2002)
Thirteen Sketches: Andrea Keller Quintet (Newmarket Music, 2001)
Icedreaming: Hustas-Keller (Newmarket Music, 2000)

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