Rick Keller

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Born: August 4, 1961    Primary Instrument: Saxophone

Rick Keller is a composer/multi-instrumentalist living in Los Angeles. In 2001 Rick returned to the U.S. after a 17 year successful freelance music career in Europe residing in Munich, Germany. Rick was born in Syracuse, New York where he began studying saxophone at the age of 11. Rick was 14 years old when he began participating in State and National Jazz competitions which consequently led to performances with scholastic as well as professional Big Bands.Rick was awarded a scholarship to the famed University Of Miami where he performed with some of the Jazz departments top ensembles, receiving Down Beat honors between 1979-1983. Since 1983 Rick has recorded and performed live with many well known musical personalities. Rick performs regularly for large audiences and small clubs and has recorded all styles of music for record albums, films, television and radio. Some highlights include: Ronnie Scott's London, North Sea Jazz Festival, Blue Note Tokyo, Rick took his quartet to perform at the 1998 Canary Islands Jazz Festival. Rick has maintained a high level of music performance by constantly challenging himself and his creative partners. Rick's respect for the art of jazz and his reverence of Jazz masters past and present has continued to fuel his performance and compositional abilities.

Last Updated: January 26, 2009
Performed/Recorded with: Bill Holman, Steve Huffsteter, Johnny Mandel, Benny Bailey, John Rangel George Russel, Bill Cobham, Bobby Shew, Al Grey, Bennie Maupin, Bill Bruford, Claudio Roditi, Buddy Childers,Tom Mason,Carl Saunders,Bob McChessney,Art Davis, Al Mckibbon, Al Porcino, Bill Bickford,Ken Martin,Kim Clark, Steve Ferrone,Joe Sample,Tony Reedus,Joe Locke, Jon Lord, Tom McMorran,Rocco Prestia,Bruce Conti,Gene Calderazzo, John Betsch, Chaka Kahn, Natalie Cole, Groove Junkies, David Morales, Damien J Carter , Harold Faltermeyer, Barbara Dennerlein, Dusko Goykovic, Roy Williams, Joe Labarbera,Mike Clark, LariWhite, ChrisTedesco, John Defaria, Herman Mathews, Otmauro Ruiz, Earl Palmer, Lanny Morgan, Pete Christlieb, Herman Riley Concert Appearances: Ronnie Scott's London, North Sea Jazz Festival, Blue Note Tokyo,Bratislava Jazz Festival,Kiama Jazz Festival Australia, Breslau Jazz Festival,Canary Islands Jazz Festival, Burghausen Jazz Festival,Expo 98 Lisbon, The Side On Cafe, Sydney, Leverkusen, Jazz Festival The Basement Jazz Club Sydney,Long Beach Jazz Festival TV/Film: Warner bros,Ohne Filter,ZDF Jazzclub,Onyx Tv, WEA,EMI,BMG,Columbia,Polydor,Polygram,Jupiter, Enja,Lipstick, Organic,Origin

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Primary Instrument:
Saxophone

Location:
Rialto, CA

Willing to teach:
Advanced students only.

Credentials/Background:
Teaching engagements: Harvard Westlake High School Music In The Bradshaws (Prescott Arizona) Saxophone and ensemble Jazz/classical Instruction Remscheid Jazz Workshop Salzgitter Jazz+ Rock Workshop Bavarian Jazz Youth Orchestra Feierwerk Jazz Rock und Blues Workshop New Jazz School Munich (1994 -98 ) Macro Media , Multi Media School Munich Composer Performer Producer 1983-Present Saxophone ,flutes ,Midi ,Sampling technology ,Composer ,Arranger Performed around the world while residing in Germany. Worked as soloist arranger ,composer for countless advertisements, Feature and TV films, Pop recordings. as well as interactive games. Produced own recordings 2 documentary films (2001). Project management for own productions as well as sub contractor for various recordings. Achievements • Contracted International performances with own group • Recorded own arrangements and compositions for TV, Film, Advertising • Produced CD/Documentary film recordings • Produced own website utilizing state of the art digital Audio-Video-Graphic programs Computer Literacy: •Mac OS / hardware •Windows OS / hardware Education 1 semester MA - New England Conservatory, 1985 Jazz Saxophone Performance Bachelor of Music – Studio Music+Jazz – University of Miami, 1983 Continuous on the job and home learning to update knowledge of current computer Audio /Video and multi-media technologies and implementation.

Clinic/Workshop Information:
Jazz/Saxophone/Ensemble Educator: Saxophone Instruction: • Embouchure: muscle distribution, posture, mouthpiece position • Tone Production: tongue position, first tone , various dynamic levels, long tones • Intonation: Overtone exercise, opening of throat , expansion of neck, singing pitch • Articulation: reading phrase articulation , determining articulation • Phrasing: playing each note with a purpose • Repertoire: Standards , Publications , • Improvisation: see description below • Scales: major / melodic minor arpeggios thirds and fourths various exercises • Patterns: symmetrical patterns for repetition and inside and outside harmonic structure • Equipment: horns, reeds, mouthpieces, books, software, hardware • Solo Interpretation : Playing in the proper idiom • Ensemble interpretation: following the lead player, supporting role, blending • History Saxophone Styles: Major influences on Jazz and Popular saxophone • Practice routine: what , how long and in what order to practice Improvisation : • Statement about improvisation Head and Heart • Beginning harmonic overview – Major 7 chords and pentatonics • Melodic approach : 3 note motiv transpose • Rhythmic approach : melodic and rhythmic transposition • Voice leading : the key to successful improvisation • Bebop harmony: All the things you are, blues , ballad • Modal harmony: maiden voyage Black Narcissus • Scales and patterns: harmonic variations Jazz Harmony /Compositon • Introduction-Advanced Functional harmony ii-V7 +progressions, reharmonization • Modal Harmony (As taught By Ron Miller U of M ) • Jazz Composition style-techniques-History of-Ethnic music considerations Jazz Combo+Big band: • Small group: repertoire-style –soloing • Big Band : section playing Band ensemble concept-repertoire

Maggie Jones
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