In Jazz, the sound of three horns in harmony is not a new one, but Paul Keller's arrangements and presentation offer the listener a fresh perspective on a traditional combination. The Paul Keller Ensemble (PKE) is a three horn jazz septet consisting of trumpet, trombone, saxophone, piano, bass, drums and vocalist Susan Chastain. The hallmark of this group is, of course, sterling improvised jazz solos. However, the landscapes of Keller's arrangements are cleverly dotted with signposts for the listener, including riffs, interludes, backgrounds, shout choruses and lots of melody. The result is a jazz band whose performances are entertaining, energetic, engaging, accessible and fun to experience.

The Paul Keller Ensemble's repertoire is vast and varied, consisting of familiar standards to more adventurous fare in the style of Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers. The members of the Paul Keller Ensemble are bassist Paul Keller, pianist Ellen Rowe, drummer Sean Dobbins, trumpeter Paul Finkbeiner, trombonist Chris Smith and saxophonist Keith Kaminski. Charming singer Susan Chastain is an important part of each PKE performance, supplying grace, wit and delightful vocals from the great American songbook.

The Paul Keller Ensemble's CD, entitled Tall Corn, features seven Keller original compositions and four standards. It is available at www.pkorecords.com.

The PKE performs every Wednesday night from 8:00 PM till midnight at Ann Arbor's Firefly Club (www.fireflyclub.com). The Firefly Club is located at 207 S. Ashley Street, one block west of Main between Liberty and Washington. The Firefly Club's phone number is 734/665-9090.

The Paul Keller Ensemble has excited and entertained audiences at the Montreux/Detroit Jazz Festival, the Ann Arbor Blues and Jazz Festival, the Kerrytown Concert House, the Southfield Center for the Arts, the West Michigan Jazz Society and the Flint Jazz Festival. The PKE regularly performs concerts and clinics for young audiences at schools and colleges throughout the Great Lakes region.

Paul Keller is well known for his association with Diana Krall and appears on her Grammy-nominated CD, All For You (GRP/Impulse). Keller has performed jazz all over the world with Krall, Russell Malone, Tom Saunders, Bess Bonnier, Jake Hanna, Eddie Higgins and many others.

For information about the PKE, please call Paul Keller at 734/484-1217. Visit the PKE's webpage at www.pkorecords.com.

Print Quality B/W Promotional Photo of The Paul Keller Ensemble (292K)