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Ollie McGill is a genius behind the piano. For over two decades, McGill has shown his authentic versatility as a musician through composing, songwriting and being a vibrant player at the keys. Whilst McGill is best known for his work as a founding member of The Cat Empire, the pianist’s stylistic and raw musical works can be seen and heard across collaborative sessions and compositions with musicians around the world. McGill has enjoyed his chaotic touring and recording life over the past two decades, performing in a number of bands and toying with musical genres spanning neo classical, fusion, avantgarde, jazz, electronic and improvisational compositions. Starting his music quest at the ripe age of 3, McGill always had a keen ear for jazz and improvisation and began learning songs off the radio and performing for his family. By the time Ollie reached high school, he was supporting his father – a drummer in blues band Past Ollie’s Bedtime. But it was in 1999 when his career in music really began. Fresh out of school and under the wing of renowned pianist and educator Steven Sedergreen, Ollie formed nine-piece jazz group, Jazz Cats, playing with fellow musicians who went on to form the global collective that is The Cat Empire. Ever-present in the music world, whether this is touring, composing, recording or writing advertising songs (McGill composed the award-winning Dumb Ways to Die for Metro Trains Melbourne in 2012), the artist is not one to sit still when it comes to music projects. McGill is a visionary of the Australian music scene, tapping out the soundtracks to our lives through composing songs, playing the keyboards, or showcasing his dynamically raw and authentic work in the studio space as a producer. This February, Ollie presents his debut solo work, 'Beach House', a neo-classical record inspired by Ollie’s memories of his childhood winters spent on Phillip Island surrounded by family. The collection of 15 piano pieces are a combination of composition and improvisation, and are just the first taste of what’s to come from Ollie.