Biography
A native of Utica, New York, John Keller had begun playing guitar and writing songs as a teenager. Since that time, he has honed his skills to become a well-received performer/songwriter, as well as a sideman with several musical projects.
John Keller is currently singer/guitarist with the John Keller Trio, performing mostly original music.
He has also been involved with Next time Around (Classic Rock), Overall Junction (country rock), The Jack Bros. (Bluegrass), Friends, Strangers & Callgirls (Blues), & What About Eve? (Classic rock).
His talents are best reflected in his solo ventures, which the Rome Observer defined as “lively…original musical art.”
His CD releases include, ‘Words We Say, Words We Read’ (2000), the 4 track ‘The Christmas EP’ (2001) and ‘Grazin’ at the Margins.’ Each contain fan favorites i.e. “Age of Modern Man”, “Don’t Walk Away”, “The Light”, and “Make Me Believe.”
The Rome Observer described the music as “… a mixture of bluegrass fronting a breath of chunky blues, love ballads and Americana folk tunes.” His vocals have been thought of as “… swinging from Dr. John’s growl to (Roy) Orbison’s vocal caress…” And quoting from The Life and Times of Oneida County, “…intriguing vocals… circumscribe the refined arrangements…his guitar creates rich and resonant melodies…”
John's third full-length album, a completely solo effort in the ‘Springsteen Nebraska’ style, entitled, ‘Hard Luck Highway’.
His most recent release, "Captive Audio", is a return to the full band sound complete with violin, steel drums and sax.
He has done session work & produced albums for others.
John’s music has been heard on Central NY radio, including WOUR, WRCK, and WRUN, plus stations in MA & CT and as far as WMNF Tampa Florida. In the Fall of 2008, one song, 'Travis', was the most requested song for two weeks on Belgian radio.
John has been a mainstay on the ‘Java Circuit’, performing the stages of The Tramontane Cafe/Utica, The Black Cow/Croton-on-Hudson, Professor Java's/Albany, et. al. He’s performed at colleges, clubs, family venues, and festivals. These include SUNYIT Utica/Rome, Westmoreland CCC/PA, The Sportsman Tavern/Buffalo, Betsy the Barge in Marcy NY, The Lionheart Blues Café in Albany, The Barking Spider in Cleveland, OH, as well as Mountain Jam, SoulFlow, and Harvest Celebration.
John has performed in numerous benefit shows. In fact, a portion of the sales from his Christmas EP, was donated to the American Red Cross.
John organized the Acoustic Showcase series held at the Rock and Roll Preserve, which helped promote local musicians.
He appears in Jennifer Perez’s award winning indie documentary “60 Minutes of Freedom - A Revolution Through Music.”
He has also contributed music columns to several widely read Central New York newspapers.
Besides being a performing musician, John has been President of The Utica Music Alliance & Resource Center, Inc. (UMARC). UMARC, a non-profit organization designed to encourage and promote the creation of original music in the Mohawk Valley.
He hosts a monthly Songwriter’s Circle at The Tramontane, as well as occasionally the weekly Open Mic in Rome, NY.
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