Now in its eighth year, Will Kjeer’s trio showcases award-winning original compositions that frame jazz, classical, and folk piano traditions within a 21st-century perspective. Beautiful, whimsical, and mysterious, Kjeer’s writing never compromises on melodic storytelling that transcends time and genre. Dave King (The Bad Plus) lends his unique drumming to round out a virtuosic trio that also features bassist Charlie Lincoln, who has frequently collaborated with Kjeer since their high-school days in Minneapolis.

Band Members:
Will Kjeer - Piano
Charlie Lincoln - Bass
Dave King - Drums

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The late guitarist Russell Malone called Will Kjeer “a pianist of exceptional heart.” With a master’s degree from Juilliard under his belt—and as a current member of the school’s Artist Diploma ambassador ensemble—Kjeer is in the vanguard of his generation bringing jazz to new audiences and stages across the globe. His current projects include the Will Kjeer Trio, a jazz quintet with folk crossover, and a jazz/classical chamber ensemble featuring string quartet.

Kjeer’s jazz credits include performing with globally acclaimed artists such as Dave King, Jerry Bergonzi, Adam Nussbaum, Sinne Eeg, Benny Benack III, Billy Peterson, and Karrin Allyson. He is also a regular touring collaborator with the classically trained crossover cello duo Empire Wild and currently tours with legendary singer Judy Collins of the folk revival movement. A prolific composer and bandleader, Kjeer has performed his award-winning lyrical compositions across the United States at venues including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art, Ravinia’s Bennett Gordon Hall in Chicago, and Dizzy’s Club at Lincoln Center.

Kjeer has won numerous awards as a performer and/or composer. He was selected by Grammy-winning composer and pianist Billy Childs as a winner of Ravinia’s Bridges Composition Competition. He has also won the Yamaha Young Performing Artist Competition, the Angel City Jazz Festival Young Artist Competition, and the Jazzfest Bonn International JazzBeet Competition. He is an alum of Betty Carter’s Jazz Ahead and the Steans Institute, and he has performed for Herbie Hancock as a finalist for admission to the prestigious Herbie Hancock Institute of Jazz.

Kjeer grew up performing in his hometown of St. Paul, MN, and pursued jazz and classical music at Interlochen Arts Academy in Michigan before earning a BFA at the California Institute of the Arts in 2019. In 2022, he moved to New York, having received an invitation to the Juilliard Jazz program.

Kjeer is an active music educator and has been a clinician at Lincoln Center, California State University Fullerton, the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, and Shell Lake Arts Center, in addition to his private studio.