Kiefer

Biography

Kiefer Shackelford, known professionally as Kiefer, was born in San Diego, California in 1992. He started playing piano as a toddler and was immersed in jazz from a young age by his father, who would drive him around town blasting jazz legends like John Coltrane. His mother taught him to read music, and during his teenage years, he began exploring beatmaking on Garageband while also seriously considering music as a career. He enrolled in UCLA's Jazz Studies Program, where he studied jazz piano under the direction of renowned jazz guitarist Kenny Burrell, receiving formal training in jazz while simultaneously discovering the Los Angeles beat scene.

While at UCLA, Kiefer's musical education expanded beyond traditional jazz when he attended Low End Theory, the influential Wednesday night beats show at The Airliner in Los Angeles's Lincoln Heights neighborhood. There, he witnessed artists like Mndsgn perform and became inspired to merge jazz with alternative hip-hop sounds. After graduating, he released his debut album "Kickinit Alone" in 2017 through Leaving Records, a Donuts-esque beat collage that showcased his ability to craft three-to-five-minute improvisations on piano and extract the most captivating moments. He soon signed with Stones Throw Records and released "Happysad" in 2018, followed by three EPs: "Bridges," "Superbloom," and "Between Days" (the latter made in collaboration with artist Mason London).

Kiefer's sound is an innovative fusion of Black American Music modalities including jazz, R&B, and hip-hop, combining hard-hitting beats with complex jazz voicings and sentimental melodies. His 2021 album "When There's Love Around" marked his first release featuring a full band, bringing new expressiveness to his music. In 2020, he won a Grammy for Best R&B Album for his production work on Anderson Paak's "Ventura." Beyond performing, Kiefer is dedicated to music education, regularly sharing his musical insights via Twitch, collaborating with followers on his channel, and designing teaching courses for platforms like Soundfly and Adidas. His ethos centers on feeling encouraged, empowered, and full of gratitude, with his music always pointing toward optimism and beauty.

Fun Facts

• There are videos of Kiefer standing on the piano bench playing when he was barely old enough to stand as a toddler.
• His debut album "Kickinit Alone" was created by improvising three to five minutes on piano and then extracting the most captivating moments from those improvisations.
• He got his beats education by attending Low End Theory shows in Los Angeles while simultaneously receiving formal jazz training at UCLA, creating a unique blend of traditional and contemporary musical education.
• Kiefer regularly teaches music via Twitch, collaborating with followers on his channel and designing courses for companies like Soundfly and Adidas, making him both a performer and dedicated educator.

Musical Connections

Mentors/Influences

• Kenny Burrell - Directed UCLA's Jazz Studies Program where Kiefer studied jazz piano (UCLA Jazz Studies Program) [2010s]
• Mndsgn - Stones Throw affiliate who inspired Kiefer's approach to beatmaking after meeting at Low End Theory in 2013; Kiefer visited his house to watch him work and listen to music (Low End Theory performances, future collaborations) [2013-present]
• John Coltrane - Jazz legend whose music Kiefer's father played for him during childhood, serving as early jazz inspiration (N/A) [Childhood influence]
• J Dilla - Influential beatmaker whose style informed Kiefer's approach to beat collage and production ("Donuts" influenced "Kickinit Alone") [Ongoing influence]
• Bill Evans - Piano hero whose diaristic approach to piano influenced Kiefer's emotive playing style (N/A) [Ongoing influence]
• Flying Lotus - Contemporary beat master who influenced Kiefer's beatmaking approach (N/A) [Ongoing influence]

Key Collaborators

• Mason London - Artist who collaborated on EP trilogy ("Between Days" EP (2021)) [2021]
• Anderson Paak - Production work that earned Kiefer a Grammy ("Ventura" album) [2020]
• Kaytranada - Collaborator (N/A) [N/A]
• SiR - Collaborator (N/A) [N/A]
• Terrace Martin - Collaborator (N/A) [N/A]
• Lalah Hathaway - Collaborator (N/A) [N/A]
• Moses Sumney - Collaborator (N/A) [N/A]
• Abraham Laboriel - Collaborator (N/A) [N/A]

Discography

Albums

Top Tracks

1. Something You Love (Reckless & Me)
2. I'll Do Anything (Down in a Hole)
3. Not Enough Whiskey (Down in a Hole)
4. Open Road (Reckless & Me)
5. Open Road (Die Helene Fischer Show - Meine schönsten Momente (Vol. 1))
6. Blame It on Your Heart (Reckless & Me)
7. Can't Stay Away (Down in a Hole)
8. Truth in Your Eyes (Down in a Hole)
9. Bloor Street (Bloor Street)
10. Song for a Daughter (Reckless & Me)

External Links

• Spotify
• [Wikipedia](Not found)
• MusicBrainz

Tags: #boom-bap, #chillwave, #downtempo