Pianist
Brandon Soehaidi
"The piano is a whole orchestra at my fingertips."
"The piano is a whole orchestra at my fingertips."
Brandon Soehaidi is the virtuosic pianist of Class5, known for his incredible technical skill and profound musical storytelling. His ability to weave complex harmonic tapestries while maintaining a clear melodic focus makes him the architectural heart of the band's sound.
Beginning piano lessons at age 6, Brandon showed prodigious talent from the start. His classical training provided the technical foundation, but it was his discovery of Bill Evans and Oscar Peterson that opened his eyes to the possibilities of jazz piano. He spent countless hours transcribing solos, analyzing voicings, and developing his own voice at the piano.
Brandon's playing style is characterized by its elegance and sophistication. He favors lush, colorful chords and intricate voicings, often adding unexpected harmonic twists that elevate the music to new heights. His comping (accompaniment) is textbook perfect—supportive yet creative, always listening and responding to what his bandmates are doing. When it's time for his solos, he combines technical virtuosity with deep emotional expression, telling stories through his melodic lines.