Cameron Campbell ON AIR! Band

Cameron Campbell (a.k.a. "mellotones") is a 20 year old pianist, composer and producer from Worcester MA. His primary focus is Black American Music and music of the African Diaspora, as well as avant-garde and electronic music. Although Cameron began playing the piano at the age of 2, his musical career truly began around age 9, as he and his siblings performed American songbook standards at nursing homes around Central MA. Throughout middle and high school Cameron performed with the Assumption University Jazz Ensemble and attended many summer jazz camps where he got the opportunity to learn from and work with legendary musicians such as Jimmy Cobb, Sheila Jordan, Christian Sands, Javon Jackson, David Williams, and Luis Perdomo. In 2016, Cameron began studying with well known Central MA pianist Dick Odgren (Emil Haddad, Mike Metheny, Ictus) until the summer of 2018, when he began studying with esteemed pianist Christian Sands to further develop his craft and sound. Cameron has performed with the Assumption University Jazz Ensemble, Arlington Youth Jazz Ensemble, Isosceles Groove, MA Central Districts Big Band, MA All State Big Band and the All National Big Band. Cameron had the honor of performing in the 2019 Vermont Jazz Center 3rd Annual Solo Piano Festival, headlined by names like George Cables, Joanne Brackeen, Kenny Werner and Julius Rodrigues. He is currently leading his own trio and quartet as well as doing solo and sideman work in the Central MA/Boston, NYC, Connecticut, and Vermont jazz scenes. In addition, he was a recipient of the 2020 Dennis Wrenn Music Scholarship. In January 2021, Cameron had the chance to teach music to elementary and middle school children at Gateways Academy in Shrewsbury MA, an experience which he profoundly enjoyed, and sees himself doing in the future. As of autumn 2022 Cameron is continuing his musical education at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City. There he is mentored by legendary pianist Marc Cary as well as working with Damien Sneed and the MSM Gospel Ensemble. He continues to develop as a player and writer, composing a book of nearly 50 original pieces, and producing electronic music under the name "mellotones." Cameron is discovering his personal sound as a musician while also cutting his teeth at some of the hottest jam sessions in the city. He cites as inspirations jazz piano greats including; Ahmad Jamal, McCoy Tyner, Chick Corea, Herbie Hancock, and Keith Jarrett. But is very heavily influenced by pianists of the 21st Century such as; Vijay Iyer, Gerald Clayton, Brad Mehldau, Jason Moran, and Robert Glasper. His influences easily span outside of jazz too. At any given moment Cameron could be listening to The Beatles, MF DOOM, Frank Zappa, or Kim Burrell. Don’t hesitate to reach out if you’re interested in having Cameron perform a show/private event/as a sideman, or teach a workshop/masterclass/private lesson. This artist does not have a bio yet. This artist does not have a bio yet.