Will Kjeer’s five-piece ensemble is a nod to the great composer/bandleaders in the ever-growing jazz continuum, inspired by such pioneers as Charles Mingus, Wayne Shorter, Clifford Brown & Max Roach, Keith Jarrett, Roy Hargrove, and Pat Metheny. Rooted in the timeless rhythm and spirit of jazz, the band pushes the envelope via exciting new compositional directions and influences.

Band Members:

Will Kjeer - Piano/Compositions
Omar Abdulkarim - Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Aaron Hedenstrom - Saxophones
Miguel Hurtado - Drums
Graydon Peterson - Bass

Currently based in New York City, jazz pianist and composer Will Kjeer draws from a wide array of genres to create music that is playful, heartfelt, and whimsically lyrical. Will seeks to tell stories through his craft, inspired by classical song forms and folklore as well as notes of rock and classic pop. Will grew up performing in his hometown of Saint Paul, MN, and pursued jazz and classical music at Interlochen Arts Academy H.S. in Michigan before earning a B.F.A. at the California Institute of the Arts, and later a Masters in Music from the Juilliard School. He has performed across America at venues including the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall in Chicago, and Dizzy’s at Lincoln Center in New York City. He has been noted and awarded as an exceptional composer and arranger, with works spanning modern chamber jazz to film music.Will's style and intentionality caught the ear of drumming pioneer Dave King (The Bad Plus) early on, leading to King producing and performing on Will's debut album, recorded during the pandemic and due for label release in 2024. In addition to his passions for composing and bandleading, Will has enjoyed active sideman & accompanist careers in New York, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis.

Will is an alum of Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead and of the Steans Music Institute; the 2018 winner of the Angel City Jazz Festival Young Artist Competition, a 2019 Yamaha Young Performing Artist, a Jazz Fest Bonn International JazzBeet Competition finalist, a 2022 Ravinia Bridges Composition Competition Winner, and is proud to have performed for Herbie Hancock as one of five piano finalists for admission to the Thelonious Monk Institute. He has performed with many world-class performers including Dave King, Jerry Bergonzi, Adam Nussbaum, Sinne Eeg, Karrin Allyson, Larry Long, JT Bates, and Billy Peterson.