By Alan Leadman

         Keter Braun is using the piano as an instrument of sonic poignancy. In a distinctive songwriting style that has been compared to Ryan Tedder, Five for Fighting, and even early Elton John, he is establishing himself as a presence in the New York music scene. Along with his compelling lyrics, his full-on rock piano creates an upbeat musical landscape where innermost creative impulses reach an exciting outward expression.

         Keter spend his Midwestern youth developing a unique set of musical techniques. Winning numerous classical piano competitions in his home state, he was convinced he would one day be a concert pianist. At the High School for the Performing Arts, in St. Louis, Missouri, he was discovered to be both a skilled musician and an enthusiastic poet.

         At fifteen he took a Greyhound Bus to Los Angeles determined to be a part of the professional music scene. He received a scholarship to the conservatory for arts founded by Walt Disney, California Institute of the Arts. With such alumni as director Tim Burton (Dark Shadows the Movie, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Edward Scissorhands), actor Ed Harris (Pollack, The Right Stuff) and composer/jazz saxophonist Ravi Coltrane (son of legendary jazz saxophonist and composer John Coltrane), CAL ARTS is known for it’s progressive training and open-minded approach to arts training. Keter schooled himself in multiple disciplines including eurhythmics and modern dance. Under the tutelage of Mort Subotnick (Silver Apples for the Moon, Nonesuch Records), Keter spent his college years creating theatrical performance pieces with eclectic piano scores that were so provocative he had his scholarship revoked!

         Setting up his keyboards and recording equipment in a trailer park north of LA, Keter next began to write music in earnest under the wing of legendary songwriter Jai Josefs (Writing Music for Hit Songs). But the excitement of the Hollywood scene soon took center stage as his first band took regular club bookings up and down The Sunset Strip from Club L to the famous Whiskey a Go-Go. (Still nineteen, Keter would have to be quickly snuck in the backdoor and then escorted out of the drinking establishments.)

         Upon moving to New York City, Keter immediately enrolled in The Institute of Audio Research in Greenwich Village as his songwriting began to take on the more focused qualities of what audiences were looking for. Keter has grown into an inspiring musical artist possessing a songwriter's intuition and creativity. The downtown scene of the city has proved fertile ground for this blooming talent. He has played to sell out crowds in such venues as The Duplex, The Inner Space, Dixon Place, HERE, Context Studios, and The Knitting Factory.