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Some musicians make the music louder. Michael Kaeshammer makes it burn brighter.
With Turn It Up, the acclaimed Canadian pianist and vocalist brings a surge of rhythm and vitality that reaches beyond sound alone. On Wednesday, March 25, at Fort Lauderdale’s Broward Center for the Performing Arts Kaeshammer promises to wow us with lyrics and soul at 7:45 pm in the cultural district’s premiere theater on the water.
Kaeshammer’s energy begins at the keyboard — a rolling left-hand pulse driving the music forward as melodies lift and sweep across the keys. Swing rhythms, blues warmth, boogie-woogie momentum, and touches of pop come together in a scintillating performance that feels constantly in motion, as if the music were gathering force with every chorus.
Kaeshammer has earned an international following as a virtuoso pianist, expressive singer-songwriter, and naturally engaging performer, yet he has never confined himself to a single musical identity. “I definitely wouldn’t consider myself just a jazz pianist,” he has said. “I’m a jazz pianist as much as I’m a blues pianist, pop pianist, or classical pianist. I play all those styles with the same passion, and what comes out is me. I’m just a pianist who loves the instrument more than anything else.”
That love of the instrument is unmistakable in his performance. With Turn It Up, drawn from his fifteenth album, Kaeshammer treats the piano as a meeting place where musical traditions cross paths naturally. Rooted in the rolling rhythms of boogie-woogie, his playing carries an irresistible forward drive — grooves building steadily while melodies rise, turn, and surge above them. At moments the music seems to take on a life of its own, lifting the room in a restless sweep of rhythm and motion. At the center of it all is Kaeshammer himself — a musical whirlwind at the piano, driving the music forward with tireless momentum. He is not to be missed!
As Elmore Magazine observed, “A little gem of boogie-woogie, R&B, jazz, and pop, Kaeshammer’s silky vocals caress his impressive keyboard chops like a lover’s breath.” The description captures the balance that defines his performances — technical brilliance paired with warmth and ease.
In performance, Kaeshammer plays with a natural lift that makes the music feel alive in the moment. Rhythms gather strength, melodies spark and glow, and the piano becomes both engine and voice. The result becomes a shared surge of energy — music that burns brightly from the first note and lingers long after the final chord fades. Tickets at goldcoastjazz.org
