BIO
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PIANIST • COMPOSER • IMPROVISER
“Friedland contributes lyrical solos that would not be out of place on a Keith Jarrett record.”
– Scott Yanow, critic, All About Jazz Brian Friedland’s relentless creative spirit is evident from his abundant participation in Boston’s music scene, repertoire from diverse strands of jazz traditions, and prolific output as a composer. His projects reflect his love of many kinds of music and his commitment to find new ways to create, as he performs and writes for a wide variety of ensembles. His hundreds of compositions include a large collection of big band charts, an orchestral composition, dozens of chamber works, and music for jazz ensembles of many sizes and aesthetics. Among his projects is noted jazz trio Man On Land. His Household Items is an original song cycle and multimedia series for a 23-piece jazz orchestra based on found texts; it has been presented at Harvard University and featured on NPR. His Schoolyard Sessions featured collaborations with 15 Boston artists plus 5 different musical groups. He composes for solo piano and for ensembles ranging in size from duos to big band. Friedland has been commissioned by numerous individuals and organizations. Most notably, the American Composer’s Orchestra commissioned him to write “Dreamscapes” in their effort to bring jazz composers and the orchestral world into closer collaboration. Other commissions have come from the Boston-based Composer’s Sax Quartet and the Longy School of Music’s American Music Ensemble. Brian Friedland has performed at nearly every live music venue that presents jazz (and some that don't) in Boston. He has also performed his original music at the Panama JazzFest, Lima Jazz Festival, the American Pianists Association's Cole Porter competition, on tour in Korea with drummer Woongwon Hahn, and in spaces throughout New England and beyond. Friedland has toured with the Glenn Miller Orchestra and with the internationally renowned vocalists of Il Divo, and has performed with Andrea Bocelli and jazz greats including Jerry Bergonzi, Ran Blake, Allan Chase, and Jason Palmer. “Pianist and tireless scene-maker Brian Friedland is programming great local jazz acts.” – Mark Redmond, Mandorla Music CURATOR Friedland is known for fomenting spaces for musicians and audiences alike. His spaces excel in creative latitude, synergy, top-notch musical quality, and welcoming atmosphere. Since 2019, he has produced a regular jazz series at the Square Root restaurant in Roslindale, Mass., alternating concerts with themed jam sessions that attract both established and emerging Boston talent. In 2020, Friedland piloted weekly concerts in the Eliot Schoolyard as a way to enjoy live music outdoors under pandemic conditions. His community efforts have been supported by grants from the Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture, Boston. “As a teacher, Brian is motivating, encouraging, warm, and full of ideas for creative practice.” – Abigail Norman, student EDUCATOR Friedland believes in giving his students tools to figure out how to tackle challenges, learn anything by ear, and compose and improvise music. His goal is to open students’ minds to the exciting and limitless possibilities of music. He has been a faculty member at Berklee College of Music since 2022, teaching Music Theory in the Harmony Department. He has been on the faculty at Brookline Music School since 2013, teaching individual lessons and ensembles, and leading an annual Summer Jazz Camp. He heads BMS’s new Jazz Department starting in 2025, including an honors jazz ensemble and a composers’ ensemble. He also teaches private lessons. Additional teaching credits include New England Conservatory Preparatory School, Harvard University, Sonad Project, Concord Conservatory of Music, and Community Music Center of Boston. Friedland holds degrees in jazz composition and performance from the New England Conservatory and the University of Southern California, where he studied under jazz legends Danilo Pérez, Jerry Bergonzi, Vince Mendoza, and Allan Pasqua, and performed with jazz greats including Bobby McFerrin, Wynton Marsalis, Chris Potter, and Nancy Wilson. |