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Adrian Wagner, Solo Piano Concert
an evening of improvised grand piano & synthesis
Friday, September 23rd
Doors 6:40 pm / Concert 7:00 -8:30 pm
St. Saviour’s Anglican Church
701 Ward St, Nelson, BC V1L 1T3
A night of exploration of improvisation across a wide spectrum of genres, from classical to jazz, from ambient to world music. Adrian has performed across North America, from New York City to Shambala Music Festival. In his solo concerts, he merges grand piano with other sounds like cello, violin, choral music, and digital synths.
Adrian Wagner began exploring composition and improvisation on the piano at the age of 5. He grew up surrounded by both classical choral music and southern gospel jazz. Living in one of the most ethnically diverse areas of the US, he simultaneously sang in a choir at one of only 5 gothic cathedrals in the USA, and as pianist for a dominantly black gospel choir and jazz orchestra.
At the age of 17, Adrian moved to New York City to study classical composition, jazz piano, and improvisation. He later furthered his studies of jazz and audio production at the Berklee College of Music, in Boston, MA. In 1999, he travelled to Zimbabwe, where he spent 6 months writing a thesis on improvisation in traditional Shona music.
Since moving back to his roots in Canada, Adrian has toured across Canada as the keyboardist for the Wassabi Collective. His most recent project was Odyssey 3 – a live 3 piece piano trio with Paul Landsberg + Jimmy Lewis. He has also played with Tetradecagon, Ganga Giri, Mishka, and The Ensemble Project in NYC. He has produced 6 albums to date and lived for 1 year at the Yasodhara Ashram, where he dove into the exploration of devotional music & bhajans.
A mix of classical, jazz, Eastern music, and simplicity, his solo piano concerts offer an inward journey into the rich sonic tapestry of the piano, and an exploration of music from around the world. He also integrates live virtual orchestrations one additional keyboards.
Past Performances
From intimate shows for 50 people to live performances in front of three thousand festival goers, Adrian has played a wide spectrum of shows and concerts. Adrian has performed at Kaslo Jazz Fest, Star Belly Jam, Shambala Music Festival, Om Festival, Revelstoke Music Festival, Unity Festival, Berklee Hall in Boston, and the Reisinger Hall in New York City.
Past Projects
Ensemble Project /// An improvisational ensemble from New York City
Wassabi Collective /// Internationally known electronic music & dance band with performances and tours Across Canada
Odyssey 3 /// 3 piece jazz + improvisational trio
Pureblend /// 5 piece world music band
Grand Theft Canoe /// 4 piece hip hop & live jazz project
Luminous Fog + Nico Luminous, Portland, OR /// 5 piece hip hop & live jazz project
2022 Concerts
August 24, 2022
6-9pm
Live keyboards + electronic music at the Hume Patio
Adrian Wagner – Keyboards
Shawn Fisher – Violin
August 30, 2022
9pm
*Sold Out*
Performing Live with Dirt Floor @ Kaszlo Jazz Festival
July 20, 2022
6-9pm
Live keyboards + electronic music at the Hume Patio
Adrian Wagner – Keyboards
Shawn Fisher – Violin
July 10, 2022
5-7 pm
Live keyboards + electronic music + Live Looping
Friday, April 15, 2022
7:30 + 8:30 pm
*Sold Out*
Live ambient sound journey
Adrian Wagner – Keyboards
Shawn Fisher – Violin
February 25, 2022
6:45 pm + 8 pm
*Sold Out*
Live piano and violin
Adrian Wagner – Keyboards
Shawn Fisher – Violin
February 2nd, 2022
7 – 9 pm
Live keyboards + electronic music + Live Looping
Adrian Wagner – Piano
Shawn Fisher – Violin