"One of the West Coast's best kept secrets" "Schell pulls in the listener with a minimalist approach that shines with interpretative sensibility rather than pure musicality" --Andrea Canter, JazzPolice.com "Schell is a real treat and this is a must for everyone that wants to be there first for some hot, new talent and have too-hip-for-the-room bragging rights" --Chris Spector, Midwest Record "Her piano playing is beautiful" --LA Jazz Scene, Jan. '06
"a brisk sense of swing and an appealing way with a phrase" --Don Heckman (LA Times)
"Schell's playful voice has an easiness to it, like a soft, Brazilian white-sand beach at sunrise" --OC Register
"Subtle romanticism" combined with a "distinctive, swinging touch" are words that come to mind when describing jazz pianist Gaea Schell. Accomplished and versatile, she - as drummer Albert 'Tootie' Heath says, "plays the heck out of the piano with them small hands".
Known among her peers for swinging every note, subtle phrasing, and lyrical writing, this Los Angeles-based pianist/composer/vocalist is a native of western Canada
where she grew up playing music from an early
age. When pursuing a classical harp degree in college, Gaea began
listening to pianists Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans and Wynton
Kelly, this inspiring a move East and subsequent graduation from the jazz program at acclaimed McGill University in Montreal.
The real learning, however, came from playing on the bandstand with
respected elders who spent considerable time playing with greats like Joe Henderson,
Wynton Kelly, Ella Fitzgerald. Gaea feels "it's so important to
listen and to understand the tradition of this music, and experience it
-to feel swing".
A 1999 Canada Council for the Arts grant took Gaea to New York City
where she studied with internationally known pianist/composer Richie
Beirach.
Gaea recently made her California debut as a twice featured performer at the
San Jose Jazz Festival and has been performing professionally and internationally as a
pianist and recently vocalist for many years in
diverse musical contexts. Her experience includes everything from trio to
quartet to orchestral performance. Notable
artists she has played with as a sideperson include Nancy King, John Stowell, Albert
'Tootie' Heath, Clare Fischer Big Band, Tony Dumas, Bob Sheppard, Ingrid Jensen, Bobby Watson, Dan Faehnle
(guitarist with Diana Krall), Earl Palmer and Gilbert Castellanos (member
of the Clayton/Hamilton Orchestra).
Steadfast swing and elegance of expression - trademarks of Gaea
Schell's music - guarantee her ability to engage her listeners.
COOL UPCOMING EVENTS:
June 18, Spazio, Gaea Schell Trio
June 19/20, D'Vine Wine & Jazz, Morgan Hill, Gaea Schell Trio w/ Scott Steed & James Alsanders
June 28, Cafe 322 w/ David Miller
Gaea is available as a duo with upright bass, trio or larger group
for all occasions: overseas, festivals, venues, hotel work, private parties,
corporate events... For booking or other information, Gaea can be reached
at: (323) 828-4106 or gaea@gaeaschell.com or go to the contact page to send a
note. Gaea can also be booked through, and exclusively for bookings outside of the Los Angeles area:
Paul Collins Artist Management International:
2105 N.W. 64th Terr
Kansas City, Missouri
64152
816.377.1950,
816.353.0963 fax
paulcollins@paulcollinsartistmanagement.com
