Los Angeles Jazz Pianist 7
"Subtle romanticism" with a "distinctive, swinging touch" are words used to describe this Los Angeles Jazz Pianist. Accomplished and versatile, she - as drummer Albert 'Tootie' Heath has said, "plays the heck out of the piano with them small hands".
This Los Angeles Jazz Pianist is known among her peers for swinging every note, subtle phrasing, and honest, lyrical writing. She is a composer, vocalist and is a native of western Canada where she grew up playing music from an early age. When pursuit of a classical harp degree led to checking out Oscar Peterson, Wynton Kelly and Bill Evans records in the school library, this inspired 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 themselves playing with greats like Joe Henderson, Wynton Kelly, Ella Fitzgerald. This Los Angeles Jazz Pianist feels "it's so important to listen and to experience and understand the tradition of this music".
A 1999 Canada Council for the Arts grant took this Los Angeles Jazz Pianist to New York City where she studied with internationally known pianist/composer Richie Beirach.
Los Angeles Jazz Pianist performances
This Los Angeles Jazz Pianist 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 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, PJ Perry, Ingrid Jensen, Bobby Watson, Bob Sheppard, Dan Faehnle (guitarist with Diana Krall), Earl Palmer and Gilbert Castellanos (member of the Clayton/Hamilton Orchestra).
Los Angeles Jazz Pianist options
This Los Angeles Jazz Pianist is available as a duo with upright bass, trio or quartet or side person for all occasions: overseas, festivals, clubs, hotels, private events... also available as a producer, arranger, composer and instructor. She only performs for reasonable compensation, and does not support any venues or individual who does not treat the artist well.
“[This artist] pulls in the listener with a minimalist approach that shines with interpretative sensibility rather than pure musicality”
Andrea Canter, jazzpolice.com
“[This artist] playful voice has an easiness to it, like a soft, Brazilian white-sand beach at sunrise”
OC Register
“For All We Know” is delivered in a heartfelt manner with Schell’s voice bare in its honesty, and her piano sweetly sad and tender”
Brad Walseth, from JazzChicago CD review
“Pianist… has long been a local favorite, a talented pianist and a personable vocalist who has her own fresh phrasing”
– Scott Yanow, LA Jazz Scene review for new release “After the Rain”
“A hard-swinging, inventive pianist” “She prefers to describe herself as a jazz pianist who also sings, but the truth is that [this pianist] handles both those hyphenates with plenty of style, imagination and grace”
– Don Heckman (The International Review of Music)
“One of the West Coast’s best kept secrets” “She not only understands ‘swing,’ she infuses it into every composition, every lyric, and particularly into her third recording…”
– Andrea Canter, JazzPolice.com