Gaea Schell

Who is Gaea Schell?

Gaea Schell is a Los Angeles-based jazz pianist/composer and singer. She 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 acclaimed McGill University.

Schell gained valuable experience playing with protégés of greats like Joe Henderson, Wynton Kelly and Ella Fitzgerald. 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 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 sideperson include Nancy King, John Stowell, Albert 'Tootie' Heath, Tony Dumas, Bob Sheppard, Ingrid Jensen, Bobby Watson, Dan Faehnle, Earl Palmer and Gilbert Castellanos.