The first concert in this summer’s Music Lakeside series at Horizon Park in Belleville will be held next Thursday, June 23, at 7 p.m. featuring the Paul Keller Jazz Orchestra.
The series, sponsored by the Belleville Area Council for the Arts, will continue through Aug. 25, skipping Aug. 18 because Taste of Belleville offers its own entertainment.
Music Committee Chairman Ken Voigt advises concert-goers to bring their own lawn chairs or blankets and to get there early to be assured of getting a good seat.
In case of rain, concerts will be held at the Belleville First United Methodist Church across from the park on Roys Street at Charles.
The Paul Keller Orchestra is one of Michigan’s finest, oldest, and well-traveled jazz big bands. The PKO has performed every Monday night, for over 20 years, in Ann Arbor, first at the Bird of Paradise Jazz Club, then at the Firefly Club on Ashley Street, then at the New Firefly Club on Main Street.
Now their new home is the Keystone Martini Bar at 200 W. Michigan Ave. (downstairs beneath J. Neil’s Mongolian Grill) in downtown Ypsilanti.
Since its inception in 1989 by string bassist, composer and arranger Paul Keller, the PKO has maintained the highest standards of musical excellence and has enjoyed providing top-quality jazz and entertainment to their loyal fan base. The PKO’s library of more than 1,000 arrangements includes classic, obscure and original big band material from the entire history of jazz.
The PKO has garnered great popular and critical acclaim accepting the 1998 and 2000 Washtenaw Council for the Arts Awards for Musical Excellence and the 2003 and 2007 Detroit Music Awards for Best Big Band.
The Paul Keller Orchestra has recorded seven CDs, enjoyed two European tours, and performed at nearly every Michigan music festival.
In concert, the PKO has accompanied many jazz artists.
The PKO is made up of leader/bassist Paul Keller; pianist Duncan McMillan; drummer Pete Siers; saxophonists Keith Kaminski, Ben Jansson, Bobby Streng, Brian Romeo and Paul Klinger; trumpeters Patrick Hession, Brandon Cooper, Paul Finkbeiner and Jeff Gedz; trombonists Gene Bartley, Terry Kimura and Brooks Barnes.
Singer Susan Chastain is a part of every PKO performance, supplying grace, wit and vocals from the Great American Songbook.
The Paul Keller Orchestra’s website is www.pkorecords.com .
Music Lakeside concerts
June 23 – Paul Keller Big Band, 20+ piece orchestra;
June 30 – Belleville Community Chorus;
July 7 – Terrie Lea & The Mustangs;
July 14 — Bill Grogan’s Goat;
July 21 – The Gratitude Steel Band;
July 28 – Guy Lewis & The Chautauqua Express, children’s concert;
Aug. 4 – Steve King and the Dittilies;
Aug. 11 – The RFD Boys;
Aug. 18 – No Music Lakeside – Taste of Belleville; and
Aug. 25 – Lady Sunshine and the X Band.