The Dune Climb Concert will have a new musical twist this year, thanks to the big band jazz sounds of the Paul Keller Orchestra. Between the dunes, the picnic baskets and the eclectic variety of music, the concert will appeal to all ages.
“Sometimes people don’t think of jazz as a family affair, but I do,” said Paul Keller, director of the orchestra. “We really try to be inclusive and we love to bring this kind of music to children because they’re the next generation of jazz lovers.”
THE PAUL KELLER Orchestra will perform at the Dune Climb Concert on Sunday at 7 p.m. The event is part of the Glen Arbor Art Association’s Manitou Music Festival.
The Dune Climb Concert on Sunday will be part of the Glen Arbor Art Association’s Manitou Music Festival. A concert takes place annually on the base of the Dune Climb in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
“We’re really looking forward to having a new twist on that event, a new genre of music,” said Peg McCarty, director of the GAAA. “We feel it will appeal to people of all ages.”
THE PAUL KELLER Orchestra will perform at the Dune Climb Concert on Sunday at 7 p.m. The event is part of the Glen Arbor Art Association’s Manitou Music Festival.The Dune Climb Concert on Sunday will be part of the Glen Arbor Art Association’s Manitou Music Festival. A concert takes place annually on the base of the Dune Climb in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
“We’re really looking forward to having a new twist on that event, a new genre of music,” said Peg McCarty, director of the GAAA. “We feel it will appeal to people of all ages.”
Keller started playing stand up bass when he was 12 and studied classical music at the University of Michigan. His real jazz training came from playing with many famous jazz musicians, like Harold “Popeye” Booker, Bennie Carew, John Shea and Diana Krall.
“I have the equivalent of a super-doctorate in jazz from all the experiences I’ve had,” he said.
Now, Keller lives in Ypsilanti with his wife and two children and performs, writes, directs, teaches and records jazz. He travels around Michigan — he’s been called “the house bass player for the state of Michigan” — and around the country. He will be going to eastern Europe for performances in August.
The orchestra will play songs from all eras of jazz, some old favorites and even an original tune inspired by the sleeping bear herself. Keller wrote “Sleeping Bear” while thinking about the story of the bear and her manitou bear cubs. The song is mysterious, haunting and poignant, much different than the vibrant, loud tunes that the orchestra generally performs. Keller enjoys the emotions evoked by the tune.
“In my mind, I see the Sleeping Bear Dunes at dusk,” Keller said. “It has a mysterious, distant quality to it.”
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