Ever since Addison Frei (“Fry”) began playing piano professionally at age ten in local restaurants around Lawrence, Kansas, he has garnered accolades far beyond his years. The New York based pianist has won first prize in several competitions including the 2016 UNISA International Piano Competition in Pretoria, South Africa, the 2015 American Jazz Pianist Competition in Melbourne, Florida and the 2012 Jacksonville Jazz Piano Competition where he was noted as the youngest competitor. He has toured and recorded in a duo setting alongside Manhattan Transfer co-founder Janis Siegel. In New York Frei has held residencies at the Kitano, the cell and Somethin’ Jazz and performed at venues such as Minton’s, Birdland, Cornelia St. Café, Pangea and Rockwood Music Hall among others. He has served as musical director of B-Side Productions’ Adding Machine and The Wild Party. Frei also headlined the 2015 Wichita Jazz Festival, brought his group to the Dallas Museum of Art and joined vibraphonist Christian Tamburr at the Lied Center of Kansas.
Frei’s acclaimed compositions have earned him invitations to Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead, Ravinia’s Steans Music Institute and Generations International Jazz Festival’s Workshop. He is also a two-time recipient of the Herb Alpert Young Jazz Composers Award sponsored by ASCAP and was recognized as a 2013 Yamaha Young Performing Artist. His original compositions and imaginative arrangements can be found on Intentions, Frei’s debut album, and Transit, a 2016 release that includes a theatrical music video collaboration featuring vocalist Tahira Clayton.
