Kevin Keller (composer)

Kevin Keller (born April 27, 1967)[1] is an American composer and recording artist known primarily for "ambient chamber music",[2] a style that combines live instruments with electronic effects.[3]

Kevin Keller
Kevin Keller with Brian Eno, May 2013
Kevin Keller with Brian Eno, May 2013
Background information
Born (1967-04-27) April 27, 1967
San Diego, California, United States
GenresContemporary classical, ambient, electronic
Occupation(s)Composer, Producer
Years active1986–present

Biography

Starting out as a guitarist in his teen years, Keller turned to the piano while attending Jesuit High School,[4] inspired by the music of Claude Debussy, Brian Eno, and Harold Budd.[5] As a composition student, Keller composed ballet scores and chamber music, including a string quartet premiered by the Kronos Quartet at the 1986 Festival of New American Music.[6] Keller later studied Film Scoring at Berklee College of Music under the tutelage of Pinar Toprak.

Keller's first solo recording "The Mask of Memory" (1994) came to the attention of radio producer Stephen Hill, who included several tracks on a Hearts of Space program titled "Digital Planet"[7] in 1995. This was followed by a Living Room Concert and feature on Echoes, whose host John Diliberto named Keller's second CD "Intermezzo" as one of the Top 25 records of 1996.[8] In total, Keller has released 13 full-length recordings[9] and several EPs and compilations, working with musicians such as cellist David Darling, guitarist Jeff Pearce and Keller's own chamber ensemble of strings, woodwinds, percussion, and piano.[10]

Keller currently resides in New York City,[11] where he composes music for choreographers such as Dwight Rhoden,[12] Elisa Monte,[13] Amy Marshall,[14] and Ray Sullivan.[15] Keller's works are administered by BMI. His 2012 album "The Day I Met Myself" was produced by Russel Walder; the album won the ZMR Music Award for Best Neo-Classical Album of 2012. Keller and Walder teamed up again in 2015 for their follow-up album "La Strada", which also won the ZMR Music Award for Best Neo-Classical Album of 2015.

Keller's work "A Star in a Stoneboat" (from his album "Across the Sky") was featured on Season 13, Episode 9 of So You Think You Can Dance, in a piece choreographed by Tyce Diorio.

Keller's 2021 album "Shimmer" was named CD of the Month [16] for October 2021 on the syndicated radio program Echoes.

Albums
  • The Mask of Memory (1994)
  • Intermezzo (1996)
  • Pendulum (1999)
  • Across the Sky (2002)
  • Gathering Leaves (2005)
  • Santiago's Dream (2006)
  • In Absentia (2009)
  • The Day I Met Myself (2012)
  • Nocturnes (2013)
  • La Strada (2015)
  • Ice Worlds (2019)
  • The Front Porch of Heaven (2020)
  • Shimmer (2021)
  • Evensong (2023)

See also

References
  1. "California births, 1905-1995". Family Tree Legends. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  2. "PRX - Kevin Keller's Ambient Chamber Music". Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  3. Amorisi, A.D. "Kevin Keller". Philadelphia City Paper. Archived from the original on 1 January 2014. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  4. Foster, Michael. "Interview with Kevin Keller". Ambient Visions. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  5. Anderson, Rick. "Review: "Gathering Leaves" by Kevin Keller". AllMusic. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  6. Van Zyl, Chuck. "Profile: Kevin Keller". Star's End. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  7. "Program 381: Digital Planet". Hearts of Space. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  8. Diliberto, John. "Essential Echoes". Echoes. Retrieved 12 August 2012.
  9. "Billboard.com - Kevin Keller Discography". Billboard. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  10. "AllMusic - In Absentia". AllMusic. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  11. "PRX - Ambient Chamber Music". Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  12. "YouTube - Precious Blood". YouTube. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  13. "Arrow's Path and Kevin Keller". Archived from the original on 13 December 2009. Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  14. "Amy Marshall Dance Company". Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  15. "Miami Contemporary Dance Company presents Kevin Keller". Retrieved 11 August 2012.
  16. Diliberto, John. "October CD of the Month". Echoes. Retrieved 24 October 2022.
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