PKO Alumni:
vocalist:
Susan Chastain
piano:
James Dapogny
Ellen Rowe
saxophones:
Mark Kieme
trumpets:
Jeff Gedz
Dave Caswell
trombones:
Chris Smith

The Paul Keller Orchestra

Susan Chastain...vocalist

Susan Chastain made her public debut at age three, performing in her mother's bar in Oklawaha, Florida, singing along with Patti Page records on the jukebox. Susan has sung with Paul Keller's big band since 1991 when she was a waitress at the jazz club. Now, Susan is the proud owner of the Firefly Club, Ann Arbor, Michigan's premier jazz club. The Firefly Club presents top-quality jazz and blues six nights a week. Susan's vision, dedication and tireless efforts have made the Firefly Club a well-loved destination for jazz musicians and jazz fans alike. Since May of 2000, the Firefly Club has hosted a myriad of jazz and blues talent including Benny Golson, Monty Alexander, Jeff Hamiton, David "Fathead" Newman, Mulgrew Miller, Danillo Perez, Mose Allison, Greg Osby, Dave Liebman, Mose Allison, Patricia Barber, Janis Siegel, Big Bill Morganfield, Elmore James, Jr., Alvin Youngblood Heart, Tim Ries, Barbara Morrison, Kermit Ruffins, Mark Elf, Roseanna Vitro, The Clayton Brothers, Eric Reed, Maria Muldaur, Brian Auger, Johnny Varro, David Sanchez, Tierney Sutton, and Karrin Allyson. The Firefly Club is located at 637 S. Main Street in Ann Arbor, MI (just south of Madison and just north of Hill. The cross street is Mosley). The Firefly Club's phone number is 734/665-9090. Check out the Firefly's beautiful website at www.fireflyclub.com.

Susan Chastain remains an important member of the Monday night Paul Keller Orchestra and the Wednesday night seven-piece Paul Keller Ensemble. She has accompanied the PKO on their two European tours, appears on four of their CDs and has performed at all of the Michigan-area jazz festivals. She sings every Friday from 5:30 PM till 8:00 at the Firefly Club with Paul Klinger's Easy Street Jazz Band for the incredibly popular Dixieland Happy Hour. With pianist James Dapogny, Susan co-leads Swingset, a five-piece swing band that features cellist Mike Karoub, bassist Kurt Krahnke and guitarist Rod McDonald.

Susan is featured prominently on her 2005 CD Steady Gig with the Paul Keller Ensemble. On Steady Gig, Susan sings 11 of her favorite standards with memorable musical arrangements by Keller. Susan's rich alto voice, relaxed style and personal warmth shine throughout this recording. Steady Gig represents a slice of what happens every Wednesday night at the Firefly Club with Susan and the PKE. Straight-ahead, swinging fun.

Susan is the loving mother of two, a devoted owner of dachshunds, a scholar of the Great American Songbook, a nationally certified massage therapist, the proprietor of an antiques shop in Ann Arbor called Pandora's Box, and the 1967 Florida State Spelling Bee Champion! Don't ever try to beat her at Scrabble.

Contact Susan at sustain@voyager.net

Susan Chastain
(596K)

Susan Chastain
(326K)