Tyler Kealey
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Tyler Kealey

Kanata, Ontario, Canada

Kanata, Ontario, Canada
Band Pop Singer/Songwriter

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"Nepean musicians fill out Bluesfest line-up"

July 3, 2009

Starting just 15 minutes after Ms. Rheaume, on the Rogers Stage, Mr. Kealey will embark on his first solo performance at the festival. Over the past several years, the west end artist currently living in Nepean has shared the stage with a wide range of artists.

"Bluesfest is a privilege for a local artist," he said. "I'm excited for it."

Last year, he joined Ottawa band Harpoon on the stage in a combination that went on to win the Big Money Shot grand prize. Mr. Kealey also traveled across the country, playing with country artist Charlie Major at the Calgary Stampede and opening for Keith Urban.

This year, Mr. Kealey has opted to put more focus on his own work. Having just recorded a new solo album, which he expects will be available at the Bluesfest show, he said he's found a more folk-roots sound to his material.

"Some of these songs, to me, are ancient because I've always wanted to put them on an album," he said.

His music is getting back to the roots of his influence, Mr. Kealey explained, citing artists like Bob Dylan and Joni Mitchell. Venturing from his classic piano-and-singer style, Mr. Kealey will round out the show with the inclusion of harmonica and accordion. The new music features varying themes, from hope to despair and from love to humour.

"My style of singing on this one, I'm digging in a bit more," he said. "It's a bit more gritty in some places."

He said he is excited to take the stage on his own, though he has enjoyed all the collaborations he's been a part of in the past. As a working musician, Mr. Kealey can often be found playing regular shows in Ottawa, including participating in the Dueling Pianos at Fat Tuesdays and a regular jazz/pop solo act at a Kanata hotel.

"When you have an opportunity, especially someone like me in Ottawa, to play your music and represent it, I'm pretty excited," he said.

"From the solo show, you're going to hear all new material," Mr. Kealey explained.

"There are a couple of songs that haven't even been played live."
- The Nepean/ Barrhaven EMC


"Pianist to release full-length album"

June 30, 2009

Kanata’s Tyler Kealey will be hitting the Bluesfest stage again this year – but this time, he’ll be fronting his own band rather than staying behind the keys for other groups.
Over the last few years, Kealey has performed with a variety of Ottawa talent and this summer will be back promoting his new album.
“(Bluesfest) is a big treat especially for local musicians,” he said. “Every year I look forward to Bluesfest. It’s the best promotion for local artists.”
Kealey was playing accordion in his family’s Celtic band around the city even before he began Grade 9 at Holy Trinity Catholic High School. In his freshman year, a musician friend inspired him to start writing his own songs and after a few years, Kealey decided to focus on his own career as a pianist.
Kealey has been the Saturday night entertainment at downtown’s Fat Tuesday’s restaurant over the last several years, in addition to playing, touring and recording with bands like Quarter Life, Harpoon, Shawn Tavenier, the Eric Eggleston Band and Charlie Major. He said all of the experiences were rewarding and exciting, but it was hard to focus on each project and finally decided it was time to put some energy into his personal ambitions.
At Bluesfest, Kealey hopes to have his new – and first full-length – album, Characters, ready for purchase. Because he was so busy with other bands and shows, it took nearly four years to finish recording and mixing all of the songs.
He said the CD of mostly originals has everything from accordion and harmonic (which he played) to mandolin and fiddle.
“It’s a completely new style,” he said of the contrast between the new tunes and his first EP. “It’s very different from the last (album).”
He said he grew up listening to a variety of genres and taught himself to mimic the bands and artists he heard.
“My dad’s record collection was my biggest influence,” he explained.
Kealey said the songs on Characters feature both hope and despair with a good dose of humour.
“It’s all over the place,” he said.
One song is about a young cousin who died from cancer at age three, and the legacy he left behind. Kealey said it’s a positive song about the inspiration his relative was.
“I’m glad I could work that in,” he said, adding that he put as much as he could on the album but still has plenty of material left and is still writing.
Kealey said he’s planning to continue pursuing his music as long as possible, and maybe turn to other arts eventually – like writing or drawing.
“I’m focused on my own thing,” he said. “It’s a new chapter for me.” - The Kanata Kourier Standard


"Kealey to Headline over Barenaked Lady"

July 29, 2009

[P]laying at the Sheep in this week is Kevin Hearn of the Barenaked Ladies, who is opening for jazz/blues pianist Tyler Kealey from Low for his CD realease party July 31 for his album “Characters.” One might think it odd for such a big name to be opening for a local musician from Low, but according to Paul Symes of the Black Sheep Inn, Kealey will draw more fans than Hearn will.

“Tyler will probably bring in about 100 people and Kevin about 40,” sadi Symes, adding that the combined crowd will be perfect for this type of show.

Another issue with booking Hearn in a headliner slot was the fact that the booking request came in last minute and Symes’ programming was already booked solid.

“What am I going to do, bump Tyler Kealey? It’s his CD release party,” said Symes.

“It wouldn’t be fair.”

Symes added that Hearn will be a perfect opener for Kealey as the two are a “mirror image” of each other, as they both play keys and have a similar sound.

The Kealey show begins at 9p.m. For more information, visit the Black Sheep online at www.theblacksheepinn.com.
- The Low Down


Discography

Spotlight Sanctuary (EP) - 2004
Characters - 2009

Photos

Bio

Tyler is a talented blues/jazz/pop pianist and singer with an uncanny ability to hold an audience’s attention. Vocally, Tyler is comparable to Jason Mraz, while his blues-infused piano playing and improvisational skills draw from Dr. John and Chuck Leavell. His storytelling style of songwriting is influenced by The Beatles, Ben Folds, John Prine, and Paul Simon.

Tyler’s ability to play anything he hears puts him in high demand to work with other artists. Some career highlights to date include performing in the 2005 Havana Jazz Festival with the Elmer Ferrer Band in Cuba; accompanying singer-songwriter Roxanne Potvin as the opening act for Colin James, Blue Rodeo and The Neville Brothers in 2006; and opening for the New Odds and Shaun Verreault (Wide Mouth Mason) with Harpoon in 2008 at the Live Lounge in Ottawa.

November 2009 included a tour playing keyboards for Juno award-winning artist Charlie Major as the opening act for rock and roll legends ZZ Top. Tyler has also contributed to a recent recording with the Cooper Brothers, produced by Colin Linden. Dick Cooper calls Tyler “the real deal. A triple-threat who can sing, play and write. Just a super talent.”

Tyler is also an emerging songwriter and performer in his own right. He released a 5 song EP, Spotlight Sanctuary, in 2004, and in 2009 released his first full-length album, Characters, to a sold-out crowd at the Black Sheep Inn, where Kevin Hearn of the Barenaked Ladies opened the show. According to Paul Symes, owner of the Blacksheep Inn, Tyler is “fluent in so many ways: jazz, rock, blues, celtic folk, and pop. He is such a rare talent - truly musically gifted. He is certainly one of the very best emerging young talents of our region, and we often mention him as one to watch.”

Tyler has strengthened his performance skills as part of a popular duelling pianos show in Ottawa, Ontario, where he has been know to break into songs like “Lose Yourself” (Eminem) or “Thunderstruck” (ACDC), solo on the harmonica, or even do a back flip, to keep an audience entertained to their fullest.

In addition, Tyler has been performing solo shows at the Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest since 2007 as well as being part of their Blues in the Schools program which provides musical education to children in Ottawa. He recently played a double bill with Graham Greer of the Barstool Prophets, who says, “Tyler’s songwriting has a great knack for taking everyday items and happenings and making them seem extraordinary through his melody and delivery. I’ve never heard a voice quite like his.”

The most fulfilling part of performing for Tyler is engaging an audience, letting them into a very personal space and being able to give them something worth remembering. He plans to continue doing just that, setting his sights on performing original material throughout the summer of 2010.

Band Members