Neil Kelly: Bio

Neil Kelly is a Jazz Guitarist / Composer / Arranger / and Band Leader who has been working in the greater San Francisco Bay area for the past 10 years. Originally from the East Coast and Chicago Neil arrived in California in 1992. Since that time he has devoted his life to the craft of music.

He holds a Master's Degree in Jazz Studies from San Jose State University where he majored in Jazz composition and arranging. He received the award for outstanding Graduate Student of the 2009 graduating class from the Department of Music and Dance.

Neil's album, "Rivers Converge," was released on the First Orbit Sounds label in November, 2010, and is available through the CD Baby website. The album has received several very favorable reviews in several online publications.

Neil's original composition "Thresho-ld," orchestrated for Big band, was one of the winning compositions for the San Jose Jazz Society's Local Composer's Showcase, 2009.

It was performed on March 22nd 2009 as a part of the San Jose Jazz Society's Sunday concert series. Neil was also commissioned to arrange the Wally Schnalle tune "Everybody's Got One" for Big band. This piece was also performed at the San Jose Local Composer's Showcase concert.

Neil currently works as a band leader, teacher and arranger and lives with his wife and daughter in South San Jose.