Addison Frei's arrangement of Johannes Brahms' 4th Symphony melodies.
Pianist Addison Frei (“Fry”) infuses energy and innovative artistry into every one of his musical adventures. This New York City-based artist consistently captivates audiences with his musical maturity and honest expression. Ever since he began playing piano professionally at age ten in local restaurants around Lawrence, Kansas, Frei has garnered accolades far beyond his years. Frei took first prize in the 2012 Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition and was noted as the youngest competitor. Earlier that year, he was a finalist in the Phillips Jazz Piano Competition in Pensacola, Florida. Recognized as a 2013 Yamaha Young Performing Artist, Frei also performed in the Detroit Jazz Festival’s Barry Harris Piano Competition and received second prize in the inaugural year of the American Jazz Pianist Competition in Melbourne, Florida. He has worked alongside Manhattan Transfer co-founder Janis Siegel, beginning 2015 with a Midwest tour and date at the Kitano in New York. Frei’s acclaimed compositions have earned him invitations to Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead, a two-week residency program held at the Kennedy Center under the direction of Jason Moran, and Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute where he studied with Rufus Reid and David Baker. Frei is also a two-time recipient of the Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award sponsored by ASCAP. Those pieces can be found alongside other new compositions and imaginative arrangements on Intentions, Frei’s debut album as a solo leader.
A 2014 summa cum laude graduate of the prestigious University of North Texas Jazz Studies program, Frei traveled with the six-time Grammy® nominated UNT One O’Clock Lab Band to headline the Next Generation Jazz Festival in Monterey, California and can be heard on Lab 2013. While at UNT he had the opportunity to perform with prominent jazz artists including Christian McBride, Mike Stern, and Peter Erskine. Frei also gave a duo piano recital alongside his mentor, Stefan Karlsson, featuring the music of Richie Beirach. In 2013 the faculty honored Frei with the Outstanding Undergraduate Jazz Studies Student Award.
For music, videos, photos and more, please visit addisonfrei.com
