BELLOWS FALLS — Dave Keller, one of the finest soul and blues men of his generation, returns to the Stone Church Arts concert series on Saturday, Oct. 14, at 7:30 p.m.
He will be joined by his band - Ira Friedman on Hammond B3 organ and piano, Gary Lotspeich on bass, and Brett Hoffman on drums. And, this time, The Mo' Sax Horns will also be there: Jessica Friedman on baritone and alto sax and Joe Moore on tenor sax.
This extravaganza of soul and blues will take place at Immanuel Episcopal Church, the stone church on the hill, 20 Church St.
According to a news release, Keller grew up in Worcester, Mass., and loved music, but didn't learn guitar until 16 and didn't sing much until 20, when he stumbled upon the blues and never looked back.
In 1993, Keller moved to Vermont, launching The Dave Keller Band in 1996. In 1998, he began an enduring friendship with soul singer Mighty Sam McClain. His relationship with McClain, as well as with soul/blues greats Johnny Rawls and Robert Ward, added further depth to Keller's music.
Renowned for his live-wire shows, Keller earned a devoted fanbase extending far beyond Vermont with thousands of gigs from coffeehouses and bars to the largest festivals in the northeast.
In 2009, Keller was discovered by legendary guitarist Ronnie Earl and was featured as singer and co-writer on Earl's award-winning CD, Living In The Light. But just as Keller's music began taking off, his marriage imploded.
Channeling the pain of his divorce into his music, Keller won the 2012 International Blues Challenge Best Self-Produced CD Award for Where I'm Coming From, and earned a 2014 Blues Music Award nomination for Best Soul/Blues Album for Soul Changes, which he recorded with Al Green's original Hi Rhythm Section in Memphis.
“With each album,” the release says, “Keller has grown more adept at turning his personal experiences into universal ones. His latest CD, Right Back Atcha, continues that course, showcasing his powerful voice, his dynamic guitar playing, and his memorable songs.”