Brian Kellock (28 December 1962 – 27 May 2025) was a Scottish jazz pianist.
Life and career Born in Edinburgh on 28 December 1962, Kellock graduated with a B Music (Hons) from the University of Edinburgh in 1986. He then established his position as one of the top piano players in the UK jazz scene, working with Herb Geller, Sheila Jordan, and Art Farmer.
From 1995, Kellock was a member of Australian trumpeter James Morrison's Band.
His main project was his own Trio, which first appeared as the rhythm section for seminal Scottish band, the John Rae Collective, since 1988. This line-up, featuring Kenny Ellis on bass and John Rae on drums, was performing together ever since. In 1998, the band released their first recording together – Something's Got To Give – a set of standards popularised by Fred Astaire.
Some of Kellock's popular songs played include: "You Must Believe in Spring", "Rhapsody in Blue", "The Way You Look Tonight", "Tokyo Express", "Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow", "Lennies Pennies", "In the Bleak Midwinter", and "Young and Foolish".
Kellock died on 27 May 2025, at the age of 63.Lee Dalgetty: Touching tributes for 'legendary' Edinburgh musician hailed as 'colossal talent'. uk.news.yahoo.com, 28 May 2025. Retrieved 28 May 2025.
Selected discography
As leader/co-leader Year recordedTitleLabelNotes1999Hollywood PortraitsHEP JazzDuo, co-led with Herb Geller (alto sax, soprano sax)1998Something's Got to GiveCaberTrio, with Kenny Ellis (bass), John Rae (drums)1999Hollywood PortraitsHEP JazzDuo, co-led with Herb Geller (alto sax, soprano sax)1999The CrossingCaberDuo, co-led with Tam White (vocals)2000Live at Henry'sCaberTrio; with Kenny Ellis (bass), John Rae (drums); in concert2002BeziqueSpartacusDuo, co-led with Tommy Smith (tenor sax); in concert2004SymbiosisSpartacusDuo, co-led with Tommy Smith (tenor sax)2008The Nine Mile Burn SessionsThick SkinnedSolo, and duo with Julian Arguelles (sax)2009Live at the LampieSplash PointDuo, co-led with Liane Carroll (vocals); in concert2019Bidin’ My TimeSelf releasedSolo2009 (released 2020)Think About It!Thick Records NZAs BK3, trio, with Kenny Ellis (bass), John Rae (drums)
As sideman John Rae – Where The Wild Clematis Grow John Rae: Drums Brian Kellock: Piano Patrick Bleakley: Bass Recorded 2020 – Thick Records NZ John Rae's Celtic Feet John Rae: Drums Eilidh Shaw: Fiddle Simon Thoumire: Concertina Phil Bancroft: Sax Brian Kellock: Piano Mario Caribé: Bass Recorded 1999 – Caber 010 Sylvia Rae – Close Enough Sylvia Rae: Vocals Brian Kellock: Piano Warren Vaché: Trumpet Kenny Ellis: Bass Ronnie Rae: Bass (Tk3) John Rae: Drums Recorded 2002 – VocalbA vocl 001 (from caber music) Hue & Cry – jazznotjazz Michael Brecker: Tenor Sax Mike Stern: Guitar Randy Brecker: Trumpet Tommy Smith: Tenor Sax Danny Gottlieb: Drums Brian Kellock: Piano Recorded 1996 – Linn Records AKD 057 Spike Robinson – Stairway To The Stars Spike Robinson – Tenor Saxophone Brian Kellock – Piano Ronnie Rae – String Bass John Rae – Drums Recorded at the Queen's Hall, Edinburgh 1990 – HEP Jazz – HEP CD 2049 Janusz Carmello – Portrait Janusz Carmello: Trumpet & Pocket Trumpet Brian Kellock: Piano John Hartley: String Bass Tony McLennan: Drums Jimmy Wood: Alto Sax Phil Bancroft: Tenor Sax Gordon Cruickshank: Bar Sax Keith Hutton: Trombone Recorded 1989 HEP Records – HEP CD 2044 Nigel Clark Quintet – Worldwide Sound Nigel Clark: Guitars Tim Garland: Saxophones Brian Kellock: Piano/Keyboards Ewen Vernel: Bass Mike Bradley: Drums Recorded 1996 Sienna Records SNA 1001 Tam White/Boz Burrell – Groove Connection Tam White: Voice Boz Burrell: Basses Brian Kellock: Piano/Keyboards Neil Warden: Guitar John Henderson: Drums Russel Cowieson: Tenor Sax Tom McNiven: Trumpet Alec Phillips: Trombone Recorded 2000 Catalyst Records CD2002.
References
External links Artist's website