PAUL KELLER QUARTET
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.
ELIJAH ROCK
Rooted in the elegance and swing of The Great American Songbook, Elijah weaves timeless standards with inspired originals, carried by the rich textures of jazz, blues, and vintage R&B. Anchored by Elijah Rock’s commanding baritone, each entertaining moment unfolds with the kind of classic showmanship that doesn’t just recall another era—it brings it vividly back to life Critic Scott Yanow affirms: “It takes a certain kind of artist these days to carry on the torch passed on from the likes of Nat ‘King’ Cole, Freddie Cole, Billy Eckstine, and Joe Williams.”
CHRIS PLANSKER
Chris Plansker is a composer,pianist and session musician based in the united states. His work has been featured on various recordings,television shows and commercials globally.Trained in classical and Jazz piano Chris holds a degree in music composition from the University of North Texas. When not composing, Chris also performs on a regular basis with his group as well as the long time keyboardist with Detroit singer/songwriter Stewart Francke. It has been with Francke that Chris has arranged for Motown's Funk brothers and opened for acts such as Brian Adams, Rick Springfield and Bob Seger.
PAUL KELLER QUARTET
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.
CHRIS CODISH
Keyboard specialist Chris Codish has steadily made himself a vital part of the Detroit musical community. A perennial winner at the Detroit Music Awards over the past fourteen years, he has received multiple honors for his vocal and songwriting skills as well as his keyboard mastery. He formed the multi award winning funk/jazz/jam band The Brothers Groove, produced the last two albums for the late, great Detroit bluesman Johnnie Bassett on Sly Dog Records (Mack Ave. Records), and toured globally with Hiram Bullock, Harvey Mason, Alexander Zonjic, Larry McCray and Lucky Peterson. He's performed and/or recorded with Don Was, Roy Ayers, Ronnie Laws, Jim "Moose" Brown, Sponge, The Motor City Horns, The Dead String Brothers, Kenny Tudrick, Dave McMurray, Thornetta Davis, Kenny G, Bob James, Jeff Lorber, and countless others. When not on tour, Chris performs on piano, organ and keyboard throughout the Metro Detroit area, as well as at God Land Unity Church in Detroit every Sunday morning.
PAUL KELLER QUARTET featuring CARY KOCHER
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...
DUNCAN McMILLAN with VANESSA RUBIN
Revered as both a torchbearer and a storyteller, jazz vocalist Vanessa Rubin possesses a voice hailed for crystalline clarity, hearth-like warmth and playful lioness sass. The Cleveland native brings a wealth of diverse influences to her vocal performance from both the Trinidadian/Caribbean roots of her mother and traditional jazz by way of her Louisiana-born father. Additional homespun influences include the melodic bell tone clarity of a young Capital Records recording artist, Nancy Wilson, the fire of Lambert, Hendricks & Ross, the sweet sounds of trumpeter Blue Mitchell as well as her love of the Motown Sound…especially girl groups like the Supremes.
JAMES O’DONNELL QUARTET
Co-leading Detroit's little big band the Planet D Nonet since 2007 has kept James O’Donnell in the limelight of the music scene in Detroit. The band has garnered seven Motor City Music Awards for Outstanding Jazz Recording or Outstanding Traditional Jazz Ensemble. The band’s “Salute to Strayhorn”, a tribute to Duke Ellington collaborator Billy Strayhorn released on Detroit Music Factory, was considered for a Grammy Award in 2017 and received airplay throughout the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom. James has toured through 13 states in the Midwest and the deep South with PD9.
TOM DENNIS
Tom Dennis is a versatile jazz pianist whose style is defined by melodic solo lines and sophisticated reharmonizations of familiar melodies. His taste in composers ranges from Gershwin to Bacharach. Tom is Professor of Music at Oakland Community College, he currently performs as a solo pianist, a sideman to some of Detroit’s finest vocalists, and as the pianist in Detroit’s own traditional swing band, the Rhythm Society Orchestra.
KEITH FERGUSON
Born and raised in Detroit, Michigan . The smooth sounds of Keith Ferguson will leave you relaxed and energize. His style of music ranges from Jazz to Motown. Keith is presently the musical director for “The Spinners”. He has also played with the late great Ms. Aretha Franklin, The Temptations, Anita Baker, Kem,Cheryl Lynn just to name a few.
PAUL KELLER QUARTET with CARRY KOCHER
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.