about.

Known for his vocal prowess and fast-flying improvisational piano solos, Tyler Kealey is a singer-songwriter who collects little moments in everyday happenings and brings them to life through his songs.

With sharp, storytelling lyrics and melodic piano lines that lean into folk just as much as they do blues and rock, each performance takes the audience on a journey of untamed adventure. 

He is just as at home on a festival stage as he is in a listening room; Tyler’s energy, charisma, and raw talent on his instrument have made him a favorite within the Ottawa music scene and beyond.
 

music.

Tyler takes his ability to play lightning fast keyboards and mixes it with gritty vocals, pulling in the fearless stage presence from years of experience as part of Ottawa's popular duelling pianos show.

As a solo artist, he has released 1 EP (Spotlight Sanctuary, 2004) 2 full-length CDs (Characters, 2009; And Somehow I Fell Upon This Place, 2012) plus a live album (The Dog is Dead, 2018). 

Tyler’s upcoming EP, Mozart Candy, features strong pop hooks, layers of sampled synths, and psychedelic twists and turns which tie a lot of the individual songs together. It was recorded with Eric at Johnny Hall productions and combines elements of jazz, hip hop, and pop/ rock with strong piano and lyrical moments. The first single, People People, came out on January 28, 2019.

live shows.

Tyler has been performing in Ottawa and the surrounding area for more than 20 years, starting out in a band with his cousins and branching out to solo work on piano and voice.

As a blues-rock-pop musician, Tyler has balanced local shows with out of town tours, including visiting 11 cities in China. Notable shows in 2018 include the 15th anniversary of WESTFEST (Ottawa), the Poltimore Fair (Poltimore, QC), Watson's Mill in Manotick, and a tour of Canada's east coast, with stops in Moncton, Fredericton, Halifax and Charlottetown. 

2019 saw Tyler travel to Mali, Africa to entertain on the NATO base on Canada Day. He also played shows throughout Ontario and Quebec, including a songwriter circle at the NAC 4th stage, the Blacksheep Inn, The Festival of Small Halls, Marvest at Ottawa CityFolk and an official showcase at the Folk Music Ontario conference.
 
He appeared live on CBC Radio twice in December 2019.
 
With a weekly duelling pianos residency in Ottawa at the Marshes and The Senshouse, Tyler regularly performs 3-4 times a week and has built up a loyal local fanbase.

In 2014, Tyler challenged himself to record and post a song on his YouTube channel every day. Check out the videos page to watch some of his original songs and takes on classic covers. 

videos.

other work.

Tyler has backed up artists like Charlie Major, Jim Cuddy, and William Prince on keyboards, and regularly performs his own original music at house concerts, private events, and listening rooms as one of Ottawa's most sought-after live performers.

He has lent his expertise as a guest speaker in college-level songwriting classes over the last few years, and plays several charity gigs every year, including the Christmas show at the Ottawa Family Cinema. He was featured as one of Ottawa's top 15 bands by Rogers Television for a Juno celebration segment in 2011, and was awarded "Best local musician" at the 2014 Faces and Businesses in Ottawa (F.A.B.I.O.) Awards.

Tyler has also participated as an artist and educator for the RBC Blues In The Schools initiative for the last few years, appearing at local schools to teach children about blues music and performance.