On December 13, 2011, Keller Williams delivers Bass, his 17th album. Starting with 1994’s Freek, Keller has done solo albums, live albums, one with The String Cheese Incident, another with Bob Weir, Michael Franti, Bela Fleck and a bunch of other personal heroes, a bluegrass covers album with Keller & The Keels, a children’s album, a remix album, and more. Here Keller shows off, you guessed it, his bass skills with his first record that finds the multi-instrumentalist only on bass guitar.
Bass is also the first album to be recorded with Keller’s live reggae-funk band Kdubalicious. Formed in late 2010, in addition to Keller on bass and vocals, the group features Jay Starling on keyboards and Mark D on drums. Though Keller’s music, both what he listens to and what he puts out, may always be changing and evolving, there’s always one constant: his unique, playful songwriting. Bass is no different in that regard. This may be reggae music – with heavy doses of dub, funk, jazz and even bits of pop and psychedelia – but at the core, it’s a Keller Williams record, his warm voice and equally inviting attitude driving the positive vibrations.
Since Keller Williams first appeared on the scene in the early ’90s, he has helped define the term independent artist. Looking at the diversity of his fall plans, you can certainly ascertain why. Look for Keller on tour through the end of the year in several of his various incarnations, including his newest collaboration – The Travelin’ McCourys Featuring Keller Williams – which debuted this fall at Magnolia Fest, Voodoo Music Festival, and others. Also recently announced, a New Year’s run: beginning December 28 at The Lincoln Theatre in Raleigh, North Carolina. Then on December 29 and 30 the show rolls to The National in Richmond, VA and Norfolk’s NorVa respectively, with Keller Williams on stage for one set solo and one set with his project Kdubalicious, plus very special guests The Pimps of Joytime. For New Year’s Eve, Keller & The Keels ring in 2012 at Brooklyn Performing Arts Center in Wilmington North Carolina. All four venues will also host a Keller Plays for Kids matinee performance earlier that day. Visit kellerwilliams.net for information and tickets.
The current list of confirmed dates is as follows:
Friday, November 18 Stone Pony Asbury Park NJ
Saturday, November 19 Brooklyn Bowl Brooklyn NY KIDS show
Wednesday, November 30 – Thursday, December 1 The Abbey Theatre Durango CO
Friday, December 2 El Rey Theatre Albuquerque NM
Saturday, December 3 Orpheum Theater Flagstaff AZ
Sunday, December 4 Hard Rock Cafe Las Vegas NV
Thursday, December 8 Infinity Hall Norfolk CT
Friday, December 9 Pearl Street Northampton MA
Saturday, December 10 Historic Blairstown Theatre Blairstown NJ
Sunday, December 11 Sellersville Theater Sellersville PA
Wednesday, December 28 Lincoln Theatre Raleigh NC KIDS Show
Wednesday, December 28 Lincoln Theatre Raleigh NC
Thursday, December 29 The National Richmond VA KIDS show
Thursday, December 29 The National Richmond VA with The Pimps of Joytime
Friday, December 30 The Norva Norfolk VA KIDS show
Friday, December 30 The Norva Norfolk VA with The Pimps of Joytime
Saturday, December 31 Brooklyn Performing Arts Center Wilmington NC KIDS show
Saturday, December 31 Brooklyn Performing Arts Center Wilmington NC Keller and the Keels
Monday, January 9 – Saturday, January 14 Jam Cruise 10 Fort Lauderdale FL Keller and The Keels
Friday, January 13 The Abbey Bar at ABC Harrisburg PA
Saturday, January 14 Mr. Smalls Theatre Millvale PA
Tuesday, January 17 New York Guitar Festival New York NY
Thursday, January 19 Harlow’s Sacramento CA
Friday, January 20 Arcata Theatre Arcata CA
Saturday, January 21 Great American Music Hall San Francisco CA Keller Williams Plays for KIDS Matinee
Saturday, January 21 Great American Music Hall San Francisco CA
Sunday, January 22 Mystic Theatre Petaluma CA
Thursday, February 2 Coach House San Juan Capistrano CA
Friday, February 3 Belly Up Tavern Solana Beach CA
Saturday, February 4 Club Nokia @ LA Live Los Angeles CA
Friday, February 17 Ziggy’s Winston Salem NC
Wednesday, March 14 – Saturday, March 17 Jam in the ‘Dam, The Melkweg Amsterdam NL
