THE PAUL KELLER ORCHESTRA

THANK YOU NOTES, THE MUSIC OF GREGG HILL

Cold Plunge Records

A tune called “Bopportunity” comes blasting into my listening room. It is one of ten songs that Gregg Hill has composed. He is the celebrated composer on this project collaborating with the Paul Keller Orchestra.  In November of 2025, Hill arrived at the ripe and vivacious age of eighty.  Over recent years, his jazz compositions began to be discovered by a group of well-known and respected jazz musicians.  Bassist and bandleader, Paul Keller has joined the ranks of musicians like Rodney Whitaker, Michael Dease, and Dave Sharp in featuring the work of this gifted composer.

The orchestra opens with a tune featuring  Keith Kaminski on saxophone and Paul Finkbeiner on trumpet.  It’s a swinging arrangement with shades of Quincy Jones’s influence on the introduction. The dynamic Pete Siers on drums propels the orchestra forward with his trusty rhythms and energy, arm in arm with Keller’s dependable bass.

Paul Keller’s Orchestra will celebrate forty years of working together next year in 2027. They still play weekly in Ann Arbor, Michigan.  With these energized arrangements, Keller exposes his love for Nat King Cole, Ahmad Jamal and Oscar Peterson.  His orchestration leans towards rhythmic, intricate and often joyful, communicative music.

For example, the title tune and pick-hit of the album is “Thank You Notes” and features the lovely voice of clarinetist, Sarah D’Angelo. Keller’s bass walks onto the scene before the horns blast!  Then comes the swinging vocals of the orchestra’s secret weapon, the multi-talented D’Angelo.  Keller’s dancing fingers bring the double bass alive during his solo, strumming, plucking and improvising expansively.  Then comes Adam Mosley on piano, putting the “B” into his Bluesy solo on the 88-keys.  This quickly becomes one of my favorite tunes on this album.

Another show-stopper is the song and arrangement “Pop Tune,” where the horns sound like a wild breeze blowing through the Mulberry trees.  Sarah D’Angelo is back with her precision vocals nailing the Gregg Hill melodic intervals and Chris Tabaczynski is featured on tenor saxophone.  Mosley also returns, lending a stunning piano solo improvisation.

The tune “Cadillac Club” is another ‘swinger’ that trades bars with drummer Pete Siers to let his brilliance sparkle. The horns shine in the spotlight of their precision and excitement. This is followed by “The Speckled Frog” that features Steve Wood on tenor sax. It’s a pretty song, but doesn’t jump or hop around the way I would suppose frogs would do. Instead, this is music that makes me visualize a huge dance hall and ladies with long gowns locked inside the arms of suited men who slow dance them around the polished floor.

There’s something for everyone on this album.  The arrangements are outstanding and the musicianship is lush, polished and masterful. Paul Keller and Hill have collaborated further by co-writing the title tune, also “The Speckled Frog” and “Summer Nights” together. Sarah D’Angelo added her original lyrics to “Bopportunity,” “Pop Tune” and the waltz tune, “Summer Nights.”  The compositions of Greg Hill continue to amaze and entertain this listener.  The ears of the world will surely be pleased!

THE PAUL KELLER ORCHESTRA: Paul Keller, string bass/arranger/band leader; Adam Mosley, piano; Pete Siers, drums; Cary Kocher, vibraphone/bongos; Sarah D’Angelo, vocals/clarinet/lyricist; Keith Kaminski, alto & soprano saxophone; James Hughes, alto sax; Steve Wood & Chris Tabaczynski, tenor saxophones; Mark Kieme, baritone sax; TRUMPETS: Mike Williams, Paul Finkbeiner, Joe Palmer, Lucas Stickley-Miner. TROMBONES: Chris Smith, Terry Kimura, Willie Wang, Chris Glassman.

Reviewed by Dee Dee McNeil

Buy Us a Cup of Coffee!

Join the movement in supporting Making a Scene, the premier independent resource for both emerging musicians and the dedicated fans who champion them.

We showcase this vibrant community that celebrates the raw talent and creative spirit driving the music industry forward. From insightful articles and in-depth interviews to exclusive content and insider tips, Making a Scene empowers artists to thrive and fans to discover their next favorite sound.

Together, let’s amplify the voices of independent musicians and forge unforgettable connections through the power of music

You can donate directly through Paypal!

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Order the New Book From Making a Scene

Breaking Chains – Navigating the Decentralized Music Industry

Breaking Chains is a groundbreaking guide for independent musicians ready to take control of their careers in the rapidly evolving world of decentralized music. From blockchain-powered royalties to NFTs, DAOs, and smart contracts, this book breaks down complex Web3 concepts into practical strategies that help artists earn more, connect directly with fans, and retain creative freedom. With real-world examples, platform recommendations, and step-by-step guidance, it empowers musicians to bypass traditional gatekeepers and build sustainable careers on their own terms.

More than just a tech manual, Breaking Chains explores the bigger picture—how decentralization can rebuild the music industry’s middle class, strengthen local economies, and transform fans into stakeholders in an artist’s journey. Whether you’re an emerging musician, a veteran indie artist, or a curious fan of the next music revolution, this book is your roadmap to the future of fair, transparent, and community-driven music.

Get your Limited Edition Signed and Numbered (Only 50 copies Available)  Free Shipping Included