The Jazz Organ Scene

USA

Keith Hollis Keith was born in Los Angeles. He was raised in a musical family and started piano lessons at age 7. Keith attended middle school and high school in Santa Monica, CA. At 15 years old Keith began performing with Mickey Champion, Evans "Neckbone" Walker and Rick Taub at the original Babe and Ricky's Inn in South Los Angeles. While at Babe and Ricky's Inn Keith was helped along by B.B. King's pianist James Rudy. Mr. Rudy was a kind and inspiring mentor! He would ask Keith to stand behind him on stage and watch his hands while he played. At the same time Keith's good friend Josef exposed Keith to the mighty sounds of Duke Ellington, Horace Silver, Johnny Hodges and Oscar Peterson. Before long Keith was fully immersed into blues and jazz music. Keith attended U.C.L.A. and New England Conservatory where he studied jazz piano performance with Panamanian composer Danilo Perez. Keith got ahold of his first Hammond Organ and Leslie speaker a few years after finishing music college. In 2003 Keith recorded his first funk record with "JP and Rebellion". In 2005 Keith started his own organ group "Keith Hollis and the Po' Boyz" performing original NOLA inspired music. Po' Boyz, which Keith still performs with and leads, plays original high energy organ funk-rock and soul-jazz music.   Keith toured United States, Europe, Japan, and Africa as keyboardist for singer Solomon Burke until his passing in October 2010. Keith has backed up English soul singer Joss Stone, performed the funk with saxophonist Candy Dulfer and played NOLA Jazz Fest with Solomon Burke and members of the Blind Boys of Alabama. While on tour with Solomon Burke Keith was blessed enough to share the stage with Carlos Santana, Robert Randolph and the Family Band, Derek Trucks and Susan Tedeschi, Maceo Parker, Buddy Guy, Billy Cobham, Joan Baez, Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings and many more. Keith has been lucky enough to perform at the New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival, Bonaroo Music Festival, Montreux Jazz Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, Nontrodden Jazz Festival, Glastonbury Music Festival, Roskilde Music Festival, Umbria Jazz Festival, The Hollywood Bowl and The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.   When he's not on the road Keith runs The Drop Site Recording Studio. He also teaches intermediate and advance organ and piano students in funk, blues, rock and jazz improvisation. As of Fall of 2019 Keith has been the touring Hammond Organist and pianist for super duo SHE & HIM.

contact:
homepage:	www.keithhollis.com
	www.myspace.com/thepoboyz
	Click on the logo to see Keith's tour dates.

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