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About Warren Keller

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Musician

The child of a concert pianist and teacher, and a world-class operatic baritone, Warren began playing and singing early. His father, Howard Keller, blessed with an incredible baritone voice, studied with Carlton Gauld (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carlton_Gauld). Warren's dear mother, Roslyn, apprenticed with several luminaries: Anatole Kitain (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anatole_Kitain), Constance Keene (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Constance_Keene), and her husband Abram Chasins (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abram_Chasins). As a teacher, 'Roz' was responsible for developing the talents of Joel Levine, musical director emeritus of the Oklahoma Philharmonic, and Sting’s occasional accompanist, Ken Helman. Warren has sung, played woodwinds (tenor/alto/soprano saxophone, flute), and written music on the New York City, Nashville, and Smooth Jazz music scenes. Warren was fortunate enough to have studied with the late, great Kenny Davern (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenny_Davern), who began his career with Jack Teagarden, and was a multiple winner of the Downbeat Poll for soprano sax and clarinet. Three other master teachers were Gerry Orrico, fabulous alto sax and alto flute player for the Tex Benecke Orchestra and The Stardust Hotel in Las Vegas, vocal coach Marty Lawrence who taught everyone from Vicki Carr to David Coverdale, and guitarist Gary Talley of The Box Tops. Warren says that to have benefited from their level of musicianship humbles him. While playing classical clarinet and jazz sax with high school ensembles, he began his professional career with friends from New Jersey in the band 'Harper.' Though having aspirations of writing original music, they remained largely a cover band, albeit, one of the Jersey Shore's best. While the formative years from 1973-1979 were spent with Harper, Warren's singing, playing, and performing abilities were honed by the variety of styles they covered, and their extensive travels as a road band in the US and Canada. Beginning as a Chicago Transit Authority clone playing over 40 of their songs, Harper morphed into a Disco-Funk act, covering everything from Earth, Wind, and Fire, to Crown Heights Affair. It was at this time that Harper became the backup band of Rock and Roll Hall of Fame performer and Motown producer, Terry Johnson (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_%22Buzzy%22_Johnson) and his Flamingos ("I Only Have Eyes for You"). Their days with these veteran performers were both educational and fun. After Harper left Terry, Warren stepped out from his role as saxophonist, percussionist, and occasional singer, to become lead singer/front man. Harper evolved into a Top-40 hard rock act, doing Springsteen, Bowie, Led Zeppelin, Kansas, and Boston, as well as vestiges of their horn-oriented and funky past. In their final incarnation before Warren's departure in 1979, he had introduced the band to the new wave of the Clash, Elvis Costello, and The Cars.

Album

SGC3

By Warren Keller

Label: Tune 9
Released: 2026
Track listing: Toast of the Town.

Song of the Day

Toast Of The Town

September 10, 2026

Album: SGC3
By Warren Keller
Label: Tune 9
Released: 2026
Duration: 04:35

News: Recording

Spontaneous Groovin' Combustion 'Toast Of The Town'

June 19, 2026

Spontaneous Groovin' Combustion (SGC) teams with producer Nelson Braxton of the Braxton Brothers for the new smooth jazz single, “Toast of the Town" arriving July 17, 2026. In addition to Braxton, SGC has collaborated with producers, Blake Aaron and Jeff Carruthers on several of their radio singles. Debuting in 2019, SGC's releases have appeared on the ...