Gaea Schell is a Bay Area-based jazz pianist/composer and singer. She can been heard at hotels and clubs and currently is playing the Sunday Brunch with her duo in the beautiful Garden Court at the Palace Hotel San Francisco. She performed weekly at The Starlight Room at the top of the Sir Francis Drake Hotel for over year until the room discontinued live music in May, 2016 and in October, 2016 for the grand opening nights at the Alise Hotel San Francisco.
Gaea is a wonderful choice for elegant yet fun corporate and private events. She was honored to play for the Fairmont’s party for the unveiling of Tony Bennett’s new statue and 90th birthday party in August, 2016.
Gaea is a native of Alberta, Canada where she grew up playing music from an early age. During the pursuit of a classical harp degree in college, Gaea began listening to piano greats Oscar Peterson, Bill Evans and Red Garland among others. This inspired a move East and subsequent graduation from the jazz program at the acclaimed McGill University.
A 1999 Canada Council for the Arts grant took Gaea to New York City where she studied with internationally known pianist/composer Richie Beirach.
Gaea made her California debut as a featured performer at the San Jose Jazz Festival and has been performing professionally as a pianist (and recently vocalist) for over ten years in many diverse musical contexts. Her experience includes everything from trio to big band to solo work to orchestral performance. Notable artists she has played with as a back up musician include Nancy King, John Stowell, Albert “Tootie” Heath and Bobby Watson.
