Addison Frei

From early experiences playing community theater and big band dance halls in Lawrence, KS to summiting musical heights in New York and abroad, pianist Addison Frei (“Fry”) has brought joy to countless audiences through a warm musical spirit and melodic sensibility.

His latest album Time and Again (Next Paradigm Music) aims in the tradition of classic trio records, enhanced by the company of Ben Wolfe on bass and Terreon Gully on drums. Frei’s 2021 release Oread draws inspiration from Kansas roots, manifesting in a deeply personal collection of thirteen original songs, recorded remotely during the isolation of the pandemic with an array of his closest musical peers.

Frei celebrated his previous release No Defense (TCB Records) with solo performances at the Monterey Jazz Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, Alhambra (Geneva), and Lucerne Piano Festival. His lyrical pianism has made him a favorite accompanist for many vocalists including Leslie Odom Jr., Renée Elise Goldsberry, Janis Siegel and the late Carol Fredette. A proud Yamaha Artist, Frei's other records include Future Speak (2017), Transit (2016) and Intentions (2014). He also co-leads AMP Trio, contributing compositions to each of their five studio albums. He has won first prize in several competitions including the 2017 Parmigiani Montreux Jazz Piano Solo Competition, the 2016 UNISA International Jazz Piano Competition in Pretoria, South Africa, and the 2015 American Jazz Pianist Competition.