Close Quarters by Close Keys

Discover the eclectic debut album by Close Keys—an invitation into a space where tradition and invention intertwine. The record unfolds as a musical journey, blending jazz-inflected originals with intimate, thoughtfully reimagined Spanish guitar classics. Several pieces trace their origins to the stillness of the 2020 lockdown, when Will began composing and arranging in isolation, allowing ideas to emerge quietly and organically. Years later, as Kristian began developing ideas of his own, the two artists chose to bring their separate threads together, uniting unfinished sketches and a shared musical language into a single, cohesive voice.

Driven by the warmth and lyricism of two nylon-string guitars, the ensemble is completed by James Hill on double bass and Ethan Bonner on percussion. Together, they create a rich and expressive soundscape—rhythmic yet reflective, rooted in classical finesse while reaching toward a contemporary spirit.

Close Keys is a Latin-inspired instrumental group rooted in the rich traditions of Spanish music and the classical guitar repertoire. Founded by long-time friends and award-winning guitarists Kristian Richardson and Will Scott, the ensemble reimagines classical works through dynamic new arrangements and original compositions infused with their shared classical background.