Paul Keen

PAUL KEEN, Grand Band, had his start as a professional musician in 1962, playing for social events, festivals and country club activities in the Philadelphia suburbs while still in high school. He played his first studio recording session for Hanna Barbera Studios a few years later while attending college in Los Angeles. This launched a career that has spanned nearly 50 years as a performing musician, composer and conductor, including over 150 motion pictures, 1200 cartoon episodes, record transcriptions, live television, commercials and live performances. Paul played with the big bands of Louis Bellson, Buddy Rich, Don Ellis and the Stan Kenton Neophonic Orchestra. He also performed with numerous symphony orchestras, including the Reno Philharmonic and Fresno Philharmonic orchestras, Burbank and Highland Park Symphonies, and substituted for the tubist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra. He toured as the traveling musical conductor for Holiday on Ice and wrote arrangements for the shows. While on tour, he conducted seminars, symposiums and master classes on college campuses and music camps throughout the United States and Canada. After leaving the tour with Holiday on Ice, Paul settled in the Reno/Tahoe area where he played and conducted for numerous big name performers, including Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr., Barry Manilow, George Burns, Dean Martin, Robert Goulet, Nancy Wilson and others. Paul now regularly plays with the Grand Rapids Jazz Orchestra, River Rogues Jazz Band, Hark Up Horns, Antiphon Brass and Flat River Big Band, as well as playing in the pit for Grand Rapids Civic Theater and as a member of the Cathedral Brass at the Cathedral of Saint Andrew. He is an adjunct professor of music at Cornerstone University, where he teaches low brass, advanced instrumental conducting, brass methods and applied students of trombone, euphonium and tuba. He directs the Cornerstone Brass and Symphonic Winds.

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