Paul Keller Orchestra finds new Monday night home: Zal Gaz Grotto Club
The Paul Keller Orchestra will move its Monday night residency to the Grotto Club on West Stadium.
Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com
The Paul Keller Orchestra has long had a tradition of a regular weekly Monday night big-band gig, in several different locations including the Firefly Club and Keystone Underground.
With the shuttering of Keystone late last year, the band was without a home —Â temporarily. But Paul Keller recently announced a new Monday night residency at the Zal Gaz Grotto Club, 2070 W. Stadium Blvd. in Ann Arbor.
The gig starts tonight and every Monday following, from 8:15-11 p.m. Admission is $10. There is on-site, free parking.
Led by noted local musician and composer Paul Keller, the PKO is a 15-piece ensemble specializing in the classic big-band sound and a repertoire from the entire history of jazz.
Keller's announcement explains that the band will play in a dedicated listening room. Food and drinks will be available.
"The acoustics in the 'Listening Room' are very good. The band sounded great in there on the night of our our birthday gig," Keller wrote.
The club is a private service group —Â marking its 100th anniversary in September — but will open its building to the general public on Mondays. It's supported by membership dues as well as public events. Paul Klinger's Easy Street Jazz Band also has a regular date at the club, playing Dixieland on Tuesdays.
Keller wrote, "We are thrilled to continue the Paul Keller Orchestra Monday night big band tradition that has thrived in Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti for 22 years. Thank you to Zal Gaz Grotto for opening its doors and it's heart to the Paul Keller Orchestra and to the jazz loving community."
Comments
Patrick
Mon, Jan 31, 2011 : 2:11 p.m.
I drive by that place fairly often going to Skyline; I thought it was a restaurant. Glad the band is playing in town again; will have to make a habit of visiting the Grotto regularly on Mondays.