Houston's music scene thrives on stories like Brian Celeste's, a native Houstonian whose lifelong passion for piano has woven through classical orchestration, electronic experiments, and heartfelt worship music. Born and raised in Houston, Celeste discovered his gift later in life, turning it into a creative force shaped by faith and ministry. His path from local college classes to Nashville's recording studios reflects a deep spiritual drive, making him a quiet powerhouse in Houston's diverse arts landscape.
Celeste's love for music sparked after high school, inspired by cinematic scores like those from Hans Zimmer. "Originally what got me into music a long time ago was a progression that I made with prodigy piano, but I really enjoyed orchestrated music growing up," he recalls. Hearing his sister's piano practice at home planted the seed, though baseball took center stage in his youth. "My sister played piano growing up. So, I would hear that in the house when she was practicing," Celeste says. He soon began to teach himself by copying movie tunes on the family piano, building an ear for melody that led him to formal classes in college. Progress came fast. "I progressed at a pretty quick rate, and I started enjoying it more and more," he notes.
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Brian Celeste, piano
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Brian Celeste, in studio
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Brian Celeste in studio
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Brian Celeste Cover for Victory Album
A spiritual pull guided his early steps. "There was a spiritual sense. I really believe God was directing a path for me and he got me interested in my music," Celeste explains. After moving to Nashville in 1998, music took a backseat but never faded. He played piano at local churches and honed his skills amid ministry demands. "I got involved with inner city and ministry work," he shares. Returning to school for a degree in recording industry management opened doors to audio engineering. "We worked out of the school studio a lot. I practiced a lot in there," Celeste remembers. Late nights in the studio, recording friends' bands until 5 a.m., built his expertise. "We were there pretty much burning the midnight oil," he laughs.
Faith remains the core of his sound, blending piano's classical roots with electronic layers. "I think God had a lot to do with that. He plays a major role in my life," Celeste says. His music spans worship instrumentals to upbeat tracks, all aiming to minister. "It's kind of a ministry. I'm trying to minister to people in a certain way to feel a certain way when they hear the music and I hope it brings them closer to God," he reflects. Ministry work deepened this purpose. "Doing ministry work really opened my heart more to understanding that is a gift. And then God wants to use that gift for specific reasons," Celeste adds. Church performances in Nashville left lasting impacts. "I've had some really good compliments on how it's led them closer to God," he says humbly.
Celeste's style echoes influence like Michael W. Smith while drawing from films. "If I hear a good chord or a good orchestration and it's like oh that sounds kind of neat, maybe I can do something with that," he describes. His compositions range from lo-fi to dance-like electronic, always with an underlying resonance. "There's a feeling that kind of resonates between the whole thing," Celeste notes. Houston City Beat features his work in video bumpers, showcasing Houston scenes with his uplifting scores. Over 200 pieces span his catalog, including a 20-year-old experimental CD. Free downloads await on Brian’s online Bandcamp account, and short videos pop up on his Instagram (@briancelesteofficial).
Back in Houston since 2013, Celeste cherishes his roots despite the heat. "Houston's great. It’s my hometown, man, and I love it," he says. He dreams of collaborations, perhaps scoring uplifting films or documentaries with local filmmakers. "It would be great to do something with uplifting music," Celeste muses. For Brian, music is a divine extraction from his soul through his hands, producing a creation which brings inspiration and joy. "You have this feeling where you have to unearth this music, and you know what's in you. Sometimes it's difficult to come out. But when it does, it's fantastic," he shares. Just as God positioned him early on, Celeste's faith continues to guide his notes, inspiring a creative pulse from Houston.
