Homestead hosts magnificent music and spectacular view
From staff reports
The setting overlooking Lake Michigan at The Homestead’s Bay Mountain is spectacular and the chair lift ride up is invigorating, but the star of the show is the Paul Keller Jazz Quintet featuring vocalist Sarah D’Angelo. An offshoot of Ann Arbor’s popular Paul Keller Orchestra, the quintet will perform jazz classics such as Goodman, Gershwin and others on Thursday, July 26 at 7 p.m.
Paul Keller began studying the string bass at age 12. By age 16 Paul had played his first jazz gigs in his hometown of Grand Rapids. He continued his classical music education at the University of Michigan. Today, Paul is one of the busiest bassists in the Detroit area. He has earned the nickname “The House Bass Player for the State of Michigan” as each year, he logs so many miles traveling across the state to perform at various music venues. At his home base, the Firefly Club in Ann Arbor, Paul leads the 15-piece Paul Keller Orchestra, which plays original, obscure and classic big band material from all periods of jazz history.
Vocalist Sarah D’Angelo’s passionate singing, warm personality and bright smile light up the PKO’s stage and make an instant connection with audiences. Her specialty is delivering heartfelt and personal interpretations of familiar songs from the Great American Songbook. Sarah began formal studies in music at a young age at the State University of New York; Fredonia. Though Sarah’s main interest was clarinet performance, she soon discovered that she could also bring much joy to music lovers as a vocalist.
Duncan McMillan began studying piano at age 5. Upon graduating from Western Michigan University (B.M. piano/jazz studies), Duncan established a reputation as a versatile musician. He is in demand as both a pianist and organist and is a respected musical director/arranger, working as a consultant for regional theaters, church organizations and local bands.
A native of Saginaw, Pete Siers emerged on the jazz scene during his undergraduate years at Aquinas College in Grand Rapids. In 1986, Pete joined the Eddie Russ Trio, which led him to Ann Arbor. Since his move there, Pete has become everyone’s favorite drummer.
At age 33, Ben Jansson is the youngest member of tonight’s band. As a seventh-grader in 1990, Ben performed for the Paul Keller Orchestra’s Jazz Student Outreach Program. He continued his jazz education at Humber College in Toronto and earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Wayne State University in Detroit. Ben is currently earning his Master’s Degree from Michigan State University in Jazz Performance. Mr. Jansson is a member of the Paul Keller Orchestra and often leads his own straight ahead jazz quartets around Michigan. Ben’s big, warm tone, joyful spirit, awesome technique and fluent knowledge of jazz history, classic jazz recordings and the jazz language make him one of the most popular and respected young musicians in Michigan.
The concert on July 26 is part of the Manitou Music Festival summer concert series. It is hosted by The Homestead Resort and presented by the Glen Arbor Art Association. Tickets for this concert are $20. Starting at 6 p.m., audience members will be given chairlift or golf cart rides to the venue at the top of the hill and the concert begins at 7.
The Homestead cannot allow concert guests to carry in food, drinks, chairs, bags or backpacks. Snacks, soft drinks, wine, and beer will be available for purchase at the concert. Chairs will be provided, but concertgoers are welcome to bring blankets for grass seating. Sunglasses, visors, or caps are highly recommended. In the event of rain, the concert will be indoors at the Homestead’s Mountain Flower Meeting Center. In addition to The Homestead, other Manitou Music Festival sponsors include Art’s Tavern, Cherry Republic, the Glen Lake Chamber of Commerce, Huntington Bank, On the Narrows Marina, McCahill’s Crossing, and The Leelanau School.
