Bio – BRIAN BATCHELOR-GLADER

Brian Batchelor-Glader (‘BBG’) began studying the piano at age nine and quickly developed a strong foundation in classical music appreciation and understanding, which has led him along a rich and diverse musical path.

Brian’s love of music and performance in his early years also prompted him to try out for and star in musical productions such as “Little Shop of Horrors” and “Guys and Dolls” at Ellet High School in Akron, Ohio, where he honed his singing and acting abilities—graduating with honors in 2001.

During this time, he furthered his education at the Birch Creek Summer Performance Center, studying with faculty from the Eastman School of Music, and classical music with Cleveland State professor of piano, Dan Barber.

However, Jazz music became Brian’s discipline of choice, and he quickly began performing regularly and professionally in the genre by the age of 15 at local Akron venues. A few of his major Jazz influences are Herbie Hancock, Chick Corea, Oscar Peterson, Joe Zawinul, and Stevie Wonder.

To further his development in this area, Brian studied Jazz music under Cleveland legend Dan Wall, and more recently with renowned Cincinnati Jazz musician Phil DeGreg, who says, “Brian is one of the most stylistically versatile pianists in the area. His musicianship is strong, as he is always developing his skills. He is one of the graduates of the CCM Jazz program, and I am proud to list him among my former students.”

Brian has won numerous performance competitions along his musical journey, such as multiple first-place Jazz pianist awards at the Akron Jazz Fest, the Capital University Jazz Fest, the Findlay Jazz Fest, and the Lakeland Jazz Fest, as well as entry into the prestigious high school and collegiate OMEA All-State Jazz Bands.

He also has performed classical pieces with the Blue Ash Symphony and the Little Miami Symphony Orchestras.

In 2005, Brian earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Jazz Piano Performance and Composition from the world-famous University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music (CCM). Then, after years of playing gigs as a working musician, he was welcomed as an adjunct faculty member at Xavier University in 2011. He taught and mentored college-level musicians until 2023, when he left to make time for other music ventures and projects.

In his spare time, Brian instructs students at the Cincinnati Music Academy.

Outside of teaching music, Brian plays the keyboard in many different bands around Cincinnati, which has allowed him to tour the nation and the world playing the music he loves for countless fans. The musical projects he is involved with includes: Old Green Eyes & BBG, Kelsey Mira, Tropicoso, Just Strange Brothers, The Philip Myers Band, BBG & Company, and, of course, Eclipse Movement, a groundbreaking Cincinnati-based Hip-Hop/Jazz/Funk/Rock group who have won multiple Cincinnati Entertainment Awards that Brian co-founded in 2005, as well as helping to write and produce many of the band’s hit songs.

Brian is also a producer and electronic music composer with Doctor Bionic of Chiefdom Records (F.K.A. Mission Control Records). He has co-produced seven albums to date covering Eclipse Movement – Eclipse, Jahson – The Battle Within, Subterrain – Subterrain, Mood – Live Again, BBG & Company – Live at the Blue Wisp, and CityBeat Magazine’s award for, Best Album of 2011, Eclipse Movement’s second studio release, Around the World. His most recent release was Eclipse Movement’s third album, Blind.

Brian has performed with a wide variety of well-known musicians throughout his career, such as Othello Molineaux (Jaco Pastorious), Bobby Kimball (Toto), Alex Ligertwood (Santana/Jeff Beck/Brian Auger), Kim Wilson (Fabulous Thunderbirds), and Jim Keller (Tommy Tutone).

He even filmed a TV pilot once with former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones for a talk show project called “In the Zone with Dhani Jones.”

Education

College-Conservatory of Music (CCM) | 2005
University of Cincinnati

Bachelor’s of Music in Jazz Piano Performance and Composition

Private Instructors and Mentors

Gail Powers, Classical Piano | 1993-1996
Dan Barber, Classical Piano (Cleveland State) | 1997-2001
Dan Wall, Jazz Piano | 2000-2001
Phil DeGreg, Jazz Piano (CCM) | 2001-2005

Teaching

Cincinnati Music Academy | 2006–Present
Piano Instructor

Weekly private piano lessons to a variety of students ranging from beginner to advanced
Styles of music taught include Classical, Jazz, Blues, Pop, Funk, and Rock
Lessons include music theory, music reading, and composition
Students participate in bi-annual recitals

Xavier University | 2011-2023
Adjunct Faculty

Private jazz piano instruction
Students participate in school ensembles
Personal performance in faculty ensembles
Assistance with jazz ensembles

Wyoming Fine Arts Academy | 2009
Theory and Improvisation Teacher

Taught beginning theory and improvisation during their summer program

Buddy Rogers Music, Cincinnati, OH | 2004-2006
Piano Instructor

Private lessons for every skill level
Piano and keyboard instruction

Performance

ORCHESTRAL

•Kentucky Symphony Orchestra | 2024–Present
•Blue Ash-Montgomery Symphony Orchestra | 2010–2012
•Hamilton-Fairfield Symphony Orchestra | 2009
•Middletown Symphony | 2009

BANDS | PROJECTS

ORGANIST | PIANO

•St. Barnabas Episcopal Church | 2007-2013
•Holy Trinity Episcopal Church | 2012-2013
•Four Corners Church | 2005-2006

MUSICALS

Awards

Albums

Instruments

•Piano
•Keyboard
•Keytar
•MOOG Synthesizer
•Hammond Organ B-3 Model
•Pipe Organ
•Bass Guitar
•Flute