KRIS BECKER (Kris with a K) is a powerhouse of creativity and skill. Displaying "creative artistry that goes to another level" (Grammy-nominated Wayne Watson), Kris Becker invents music that electrifies the listener and glides effortlessly from style to style.
An award-winning and trailblazing multi-genre composer, songwriter, keyboardist, and concert pianist whose works and songs will "astonish you" (RadioIndy.com), the music of Kris Becker, along with his sensational live shows, is winning instantaneous fans everywhere it's heard, from the casual listener to the most thoroughly-trained ear. Full of scorching kinetic energy, unrelenting passion, blazing virtuosity, and a powerfully expressive beauty, the Kris Becker sound combines irresistible rhythms, enthralling melodies, and an array of cool harmonies. ASCAP and the International Songwriting Competition have bestowed honors upon Mr. Becker for his original nu-classical, jazz, and rock creations, while his piano and keyboard playing have garnered top prizes in countless international music competitions.
Becker is accomplished as creator and performer in many genres. He's a hardcore concert pianist who has played Carnegie Hall, appears with orchestras worldwide, and holds a Master of Music degree from the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University. In other realms he is equally established, sought after by legendary artists, and has appeared with the likes of members of The Temptations. As a rock artist, he fronts his band Kris Becker & The Frozen Heat, a team of virtuosic masters whose members have played with legends such as Willie Nelson and LL Cool J, and render all they do with muscularity and finesse.
World-famous authority on piano music Maurice Hinson, who calls Becker's sonorities "spellbinding", offers that "Becker is a musician who has something important to say and knows how to say it." Deemed a "dazzling talent" by critics and "one of the most interesting and dynamic young pianists I have heard in a long time!" by legendary concert pianist John O'Conor, the young and exciting Kris Becker is a rising star in the music world. Kris' earnest desire to say something valuable to as widespread an audience as possible with as much craft and visceral enjoyability as possible—this defines his artistry.
PERFORMANCES
Carnegie Hall (Weill Recital Hall), Hong Kong Cultural Centre (with the SAR Philharmonic), Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.), Evans Arts Series (with members of the Houston Symphony), Musica Viva Series, American Liszt Society, Impulse Artist Series, David Dubal's Reflections From The Keyboard (WQXR New York), The Front Row (KUHF Houston), Foundation For Modern Music, Glenn Leonard of The Temptations, Linda McKechnie, South By Southwest Festival Austin, Purple Songs Can Fly, Music For Autism, Texas Children's Hospital, Habitat For Humanity.
AWARDS
WINNER
Yamaha Young Performing Artist
International Chopin Competition of Texas
Lee Biennial International Piano Competition
Artist Presentation Society Competition
Shepherd School of Music Concerto Competition
Clara Rolland Prize For Piano (twice)
Kate Neal Kinley Memorial Fellowship
SECOND PRIZE
Hellam Young Artists' Competition
Mid-Texas Symphony Young Artists Competition
San Antonio Tuesday Musical Club Competition
Houston Tuesday Musical Club Competition
PRIZEWINNER
Wideman International Piano Competition
Corpus Christi International Piano Competition
HONOREE
ASCAP Lotte Lehmann Art Song Composition Competition
National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts (Merit Award)
Presser Scholar, University of Illinois
Valedictorian, High School
FINALIST
ASCAP Morton Gould Young Composer Awards
Kosciuszko Foundation Chopin Competition, New York
Stravinsky Awards International Piano Competition
SEMI-FINALIST
International Songwriting Competition
Young Concert Artists International Auditions, New York
NOMINATED
Best Keyboardist, Houston Press Music Awards
EDUCATION
Master of Music, Rice University
Bachelor of Music, University of Illinois
ADDITIONAL STUDY & PERFORMING
Kent/Blossom Music
TCU/Van Cliburn Institute
Adamant Music School & Festival
Gilmore International Keyboard Festival
Amalfi Coast Music Festival
Prague International Piano Masterclasses
Paris International Summer Sessions
MasterWorks Festival
2011
AUGUST
KRIS REVIEWS MIKE GARSON'S (KEYBOARDIST, DAVID BOWIE) NEW ALBUM
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FEBRUARY
INVENTIONS REVIEWED BY GARRETT SCHUMANN OF SEQUENZA21.COM
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2010
DECEMBER
INVENTIONS REVIEWED BY HOUSTON JAZZ PIANO GREAT ANDREW LIENHARD
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INVENTIONS REVIEWED BY RADIOINDY.COM
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NOVEMBER
SEE KRIS ON GREAT DAY HOUSTON TV
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KRIS BECKER IMPULSE PREVIEW VIDEO
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2009
NOVEMBER
IF EVER TWO WERE ONE HONORED BY ASCAP
Info Here
FEBRUARY
IN DUE TIME MAKES NEXT ROUND OF INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING COMPETITION
Info Here (Page 12)
2007
MAY
KRIS IN THE KENT STATE UNIVERSITY MAGAZINE
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2005
DECEMBER
KRIS EXAMINED BY THE AMERICAN PSYCHOLOGICAL ASSOCIATION!
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