Guitarist/composer/conductor/vocalist Derek Keller was born in Philadelphia and now resides in La Jolla, California. A former student of Roger Reynolds, George Crumb and Brian Ferneyhough, his work is intense and remarkably colorful. Blending diverse styles, instruments and sounds, Keller is a brave explorer of uncharted territory, and though the delicate balancing of composition and improvisation he has made some remarkable new music. Including a dynamic percussion quartet beautifully performed by the world renown ensemble RedFishBlueFish, a wild piece for voice and ensemble, a piece for solo electric guitar and a chamber work commissioned for this release that brings many of his interests together into a bizarre aggregate, this is a diverse and enjoyable CD from a versatile young musician who is not afraid to take chances.
