Adrian Kelly graduated from the WA Conservatorium in with a Bmus(Jazz) where he majored in composition, studying with Graeme Lyall. His jazz compositions have been performed at the Manly International Jazz Festival on two occasions, and at Fox Studios during the Sydney Olympic Arts Festival in 2000, as well as numerous locations throughout Western Australia. His composition ‘Taking a Break’ appears on the West Australian Youth Jazz Orchestra compact disc ‘Tom Terrific’.
In 1998 Adrian returned to the WA Conservatorium to study classical composition with Lindsay Vickery and Nigel Sabin. Since then he has founded two new music ensembles The Collective, a 15 piece collective created as a vehicle for composers to experiment with crossing the boundaries of musical style in a large ensemble, and Pantheon, an improvising ensemble that in 1999 reached the finals of the ABC’s improvisation awards. A compact disc of The Collective, featuring the compositions of Graham Collier received rave reviews world wide. Adrian’s recent work includes composing music for the play ‘Stella and the Moonman’, which premiered at the Sydney Theatre Company in 2005. A compact disc by the Hip Mo’ Toast Big Band features three original songs by Adrian, and one original arrangement, in addition to his work as a trumpet player.
In his capacity as a trumpet player, Adrian has performed with a diverse range of artists, including The West Australian Symphony Orchestra, James Morrison, Don Burrows, Marina Prior, Tom Burlinson, Rhonda Burchmore, John Farnham, Olivia Newton-John, Anthony Warlow, Tommy Tycho, Mickey Tucker, Tim Rice, Ben Folds Five, Dave Weckl, Ellen Rowe, Gene Pitney, Wayne Newton, The Manhattan Transfer, Shirley Bassey, Ray Charles. Adrian has performed in numerous jazz big bands and over 30 musical theatre productions, including the Australian premiere of "The Wild Party", and the Australian tour productions of The Boy From Oz (with Hugh Jackman), Dusty, Dirty Dancing, Saturday Night Fever, and Les Miserables.
A compact disc of Adrian compositions, entitled “Intercontinental Driftâ€, featuring a Western Australian rhythm section and a powerhouse selection of New York and Chicago trumpet players is now available. These compositions are published by AKBrassPress.
As an educator Adrian teaches trumpet, sight reading, and aural skills at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), trumpet and composition at local secondary schools.