Artist description Dan DeChellis improvisor/composer/pianist combines the harmonic elements of modern classical composition and jazz with a strong sense of form and shape. He concerns himself with the traditional elements of music as well as texture, timbre and color along with surprise and unexpected twists and turns. Dan has worked with numerous musicians in different settings throughout the NY/Boston area: Gerry Hemingway, Masashi Harada, Ravish Momin, Jeff Arnal, Philip Tomasic, Tatsuya Nakatani and Bhob Rainey.

Music Style Improvised / New Music

Musical Influences Modern Classical / Jazz, Pop Music, Ambient Music

Similar Artists Cecil Taylor, Matthew Shipp, John Tilbury, Marilyn Crispell,

Artist History Dan DeChellis (pianist) first came to the attention of the improvised/new music world in 1996 with the release of his solo recording debut “Shapes” on the Sachimay label. This recording earned him immediate critical praise and led to appearances throughout the Northeast. Since then DeChellis has released two more CDs on Sachimay and has continued to increase his reputation as one of today’s busiest and most compelling improvisers. He has performed as a soloist, leader and sideman at the Knitting Factory, the Middle East, Sculler’s Jazz Club, Harvard University, ABC NO Rio, Autumn Uprising Festival and most recently, The Big Sur Experimental Music Festival. Born October 14,1970, DeChellis grew up in Whitehouse Station, NJ. He began piano studies at age five and quickly developed interest in a diverse range of musical styles. From 1989 to 1993 DeChellis attended Appalachian State University. He continued to hone his piano skills, at the Masters level, at Duquesne University from 1993 to 1995, and at the New England Conservatory from 1996 to 1997. At the New England Conservatory DeChellis worked closely with legendary composer/pianist Ran Blake and improviser Masashi Harada. DeChellis sites influences as diverse as Paul Bley, Brian Eno, Duke Ellington and the music of Anton Webern. DeChellis’s music seeks to blur the boundaries between contemporary classical and improvised music. Whether he is performing solo or accompanied by electronics, voice and acoustic instruments, he masterfully combines standard piano virtuosity with extended technique and explosive bursts of energy. His recordings have been reviewed in Cadence, Signal to Noise and Keyboard Magazine. Among the many fine musicians he has collaborated with are: Gerry Hemmingway, Sabir Mateen, Toshi Makihara, Peter Erskine, Masashi Harada, Philip Tomasic, Tatsuya Nakatani and Bhob Rainey. Discography: “Shapes” improvisations/compositions for solo piano / Sachimay Records “Real Time” DeChellis/Tomasic/Nakatani Trio / Sachimay Records “Chamber Music” by Dan DeChellis / Sachimay Records “As if to Remind Us” by Dan DeChellis / Philip Tomasic / Sachimay Records “The Dirigible Between Similarities” by Dan DeChellis / Jeff Arnal / Sachimay Records “Until the Outrage has been Expiated” Dan DeChellis Trio / Matt Heyner / Ravish Momin / Sachimay Records Contact: 26-04 12th Street | Astoria, New York | 11102 Phone: 718-728-2274 | E-mail: sachimay@earthlink.net

Instruments Piano

Albums "Shapes" solo on Sachimay "Real Time" by DeChellis/Tomasic/Nakatani on Sachimay "Chamber Music" by Dan DeChellis (music for piano / voice / theremin / percussion / violin ) on Sachimay Records "The Dirigibles Between Similarities" Dan DeChellis / Jeff Arnal on Sachimay Records

Press Reviews “So many great free jazz players — especially pianists — have well-developed classical chops; players like Cecil Taylor, Borah Bergman, and Marilyn Crispell…. Dan DeChellis is another name to add to the list of fine free jazz pianists with a classical orientation.” -Chris Kelsey, All Music Guide “Cerebral/visceral music…jazz performance of the year, 1999…. fascinating and rewarding” -Stu Vandermark, Cadence “Architecture and structure…explorations of form” -Steve Koenig, La Folia.com " The energy of his playing does restlessly tug at the bridle of structure" -Keyboard Magazine " DeChellis has staked out his own territory...somberness, feistiness, wit and sure resonance. DeChellis has a very good command of timbre and dissonance." -The Improvisor "Dan's music is full of energy and lyricism. He is truly an individual voice among improvising musicians." -Paul Bley “DeChellis is a creative player; beautiful melodies, chords, and textures.” –Megan Gass, Mixx Magazine “ …his sound is one of control….He is driving across Tribeca and takes one non-obvious road after another. You think you know his next turn, but he confounds your expectation. In the end his shortcut is faster than anything you’ve seen, and you’ve been driving the area for years.” – Michael Benedetti, Phiba-improv

Additional Info All music available through www.sachimayrecords.com, www.drimala.com, www,cdbaby.com

Location New York, NY - USA

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