PAUL KELLER HOUSE CALLS
"The MaYOR" of Ann Arbor Jazz:
A Tribute to Ron Brooks
Friday, September 16th @ 7:30 PM
Kerrytown Concert House salutes jazz bassist, bandleader and entrepreneur, Ron Brooks. His famous and beloved Bird Of Paradise Jazz Club was well-known for 20 years as one of the great jazz venues in the world. This special tribute features friends and protégés of Brooks, including Rick Roe (piano), Pete Siers (drums), Cary Kocher (vibraphone), Vincent Bowens (saxophone), Rayse Biggs (trumpet), Paul Keller (bass), George Davidson (drums), and Brooks himself (bass).
Ron Brooks’ historical importance to the Ann Arbor jazz scene cannot be understated. This concert’s show of affection is a special tribute to him, a man whose contributions to jazz and to our community are too many to be counted.
In 1962, Brooks debuted with the Bob James Trio on their album Bold Conceptions. In 1968, Brooks was the bassist in the nationally recognized Contemporary Jazz Quintet, which featured pianist Kenny Cox. Throughout the 1970s Brooks shared the stage with Eddie Russ, Sarah Vaughn, Mel Torme and Sonny Stitt. In 1975, Brooks founded the band Mixed Bag, a popular jazz ensemble that featured saxophonist Larry Nozero. Various incarnations of the Ron Brooks Trio have included pianists Bob James, Kevin O’Connell, Larry Manderville, Eddie Russ, Tad Weed, and Rick Roe; and drummers Larry Bell, Danny Spencer, George Davidson, and Pete Siers.
Perhaps the most familiar part of his legacy is the 20 years that Brooks created, cared for, maintained, and operated the famous Bird Of Paradise Jazz Club (from 1984 to 2004), originally located on S. Ashley Street and later, on S. Main. The Bird Of Paradise was indeed a paradise for jazz lovers and jazz musicians – a hub of the music community, a haven of artistic creativity, and a safe and supportive environment where jazz could flourish. The Bird employed a bevy of local jazz musicians – seven nights a week – and gave many of them a helping hand up in their burgeoning careers. The Bird Of Paradise also hosted incredible and memorable performances from Dizzy Gillespie, Milt Jackson, Ray Brown, Gene Harris, Monty Alexander, Shirley Horn, The Count Basie Orchestra, Abby Lincoln, Jeff Hamilton, and many more.
Ann Arbor and Kerrytown Concert House recognize and appreciate the amazing work that Ron Brooks has done in our area to preserve, promote and propagate jazz music for the music-loving public and for future generations.
COVID-19 Policy for Indoor Concerts at Kerrytown Concert House
- Masks are strongly encouraged and available as needed.
- Please do not attend a performance if you are feeling ill or have any symptoms of COVID-19.
Since 1989, string bassist Paul Keller has led his 15-piece big band Paul Keller Orchestra to critical and popular acclaim. The PKO’s American Music Research Foundation Big Band Boogie Woogie concert was broadcast nationally on PBS throughout 2009 and 2010. The PKO’s Jazz Student Outreach Program hosted 30 school bands and over 700 student musicians in 2010.
Paul is a prolific composer. In October 2010, the Ypsilanti Symphony Orchestra premiered Paul’s five-movement symphonic composition The Ypsilanti Orchestral Jazz Suite. This major piece, written for jazz band and full symphony orchestra, celebrates Paul’s hometown of Ypsilanti, MI. The suite was received enthusiastically and was praised by community leaders as an important work of art with historical significance.
Paul’s magnum opus The Michigan Jazz Suite is a collection of 15 Keller compositions inspired by people, places, and icons of the great state of Michigan. Featuring the Paul Keller Ensemble with titles like “Big Mac,” and “Soo’s Blues,” The Michigan Jazz Suite won the Detroit Music Award for Best Jazz Recording of 2008.
In 2007, Keller created 15 original orchestra charts for clarinetist Dave Bennett’s symphonic Pops show A Salute to Benny Goodman. This show, composed for jazz band and full symphony orchestra has been performed by over 25 major US orchestras. Keller also wrote Bennett’s second orchestra Pops show Clarinet Is King, featuring 10 new original Keller arrangements of songs from Artie Shaw, Pete Fountain, and Jimmy Dorsey.
In 1989, Keller formed PKO Records to feature various southeast Michigan jazz artists. Paul’s newest CD is We Like to Riff – A Toast to the Nat “King” Cole Trio.
Paul is well known for his associations with pianist/vocalist Diana Krall and guitarist Russell Malone. Paul has performed with jazz greats Joe Williams, Cab Calloway, Marian McPartland, Barry Harris, Jeff Hamilton, Benny Golson, Benny Green, Jon Hendricks, Wycliff Gordon, Mulgrew Miller, Jay McShann, and James Moody. He has played on over 50 CDs with artists such as Larry Vuckovich, Eddie Higgins, and Marcus Belgrave.
Paul was honored by the West Michigan Jazz Society as their 2001 Jazz Musician of the Year and by the Detroit Music Awards as the 2002 Outstanding Jazz Instrumentalist. Keller is on the faculty of the Wayne State University jazz department in Detroit. He travels frequently, giving jazz concerts, workshops and clinics, and is well-respected as an innovative and enthusiastic jazz educator.
