Biography

Drew plays the viola in all the wrong ways, juxtaposing poignant intimacy against thumping grooves. Described by Boston-based rock band, The Sleds, as “the most unique thing we’ve ever seen”, he sends complex sounds from this modest instrument to a wide-eyed audience. Using experimental tuning, extended techniques, and live looping, Keeve balances his conservatory-informed playing with striking approaches, blending beauty and innovation. As an artist of the American West, his sound is rooted in the people and landscapes of his origin, while incorporating elements of old-time fiddle, jazz, maqam, and other international idioms.

Drew’s playing was recently featured at Silkroad's Global Musician's Workshop Festival, sharing the stage with revolutionaries Marcus Printup, Mike Block, and Edward Pérez. Drew has also performed alongside Mark O’Connor, Indigo Girls, and as a band member for Tiger Okoshi. As one of Boston's most in-demand session violists, Drew's playing is featured on numerous releases as both an instrumentalist and improviser. Recent collaborators include Alireza Khodayari, Yağmur Soydemi, Valeriia Volk, Gabriel Arvelo, Niké Vopalecká, Cordelia Fox, Astro Fonda, and Charles Ritz, recorded in studios such as Power Station NYC, Q Division Studios, AME Studios, and the Record Co. Drew is now a member of Berklee’s Contemporary Performance program, residing in Valencia, Spain.