Cecilia Coleman is a pianist, composer, and bandleader who has many qualities. Coleman, a Long Beach native and New York resident, began playing piano at the age of five and began studying jazz piano at fifteen. She studied classical and jazz piano with Dr. Allan Giles, as well as vibraphonist Charlie Shoemake. She is an accomplished pianist who can deliver performances that are both entertaining and moving. She is a gifted composer who has created a unique, diverse repertoire that reflects the history and future of jazz. Coleman has been leading her own band since 1990, when she joined a trio that included bassist Eric Von Essen as well as drummer Kendall Kay. Her quintet was founded in 1993. Coleman has also performed at numerous clubs, including the Monterey Jazz Festival in Telluride and the New Mexico Jazz Workshop. Coleman and the Quintet have received a lot of acclaim within the Los Angeles Jazz Scene and beyond. As a leader, she has five CDs: “The Impostor”, “Higher Standards”, Home”, and “Young.”
