Wayne State University

Larry Hutchison and Paul Keller, bass faculty


General Statistics

  • US News Ranking: #223 (tie) in National Universities
  • US News Overall Score (out of 100): 32
  • In-State Tuition & Fees 2016-17: $13,278
  • Out-of-State Tuition & Fees 2016-17: $28,950
  • Room & Board 2016-17: $9,747
  • Total Enrollment: 27,298
  • Acceptance Rate (from 2015): 68%
  • Student – Faculty Ratio: 16:1
  • 4 year graduation rate: 13%
  • % of undergrads receiving Financial aid: 72%
  • Average Financial Aid: $6,791

Double Bass Statistics

  • Average number of undergraduate bass students:
  • Average number of graduate bass students:

What Alumni Are Doing

Perspectives from the Bass Faculty

About The Bass Faculty

Larry Hutchinson 

Bassist Larry Hutchinson is an active performer, teacher and clinician. He has been a member of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra since 1983. His commitment to education is evidenced by his many involvements in music education activities all over the U.S. In addition to teaching a studio of private bass students, he is on the artist faculty of the Richard Davis Bass Workshop, held annually at the University of Wisconsin. Since 1984, he has directed the annual Troy Bass Workshop sponsored by the Michigan unit of the American String Teachers Association (ASTA). He has been a long time member of the Detroit Symphony Education Committee, and served on the Board of Directors of the International Society of Bassists. He has been on the faculty of the National String Workshop, the American String Workshop and has given presentations at conventions for the American String Teachers Association, the International Society of Bassists and the Midwestern Conference in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Larry is a strong advocate for music education, particularly in the public schools. He presents numerous clinics for music students, and has taken a very active role in getting symphony members involved with the public school music programs in his community. In 1997 he received the Friend of Education award from the teachers of the Farmington Public Schools. In 2001 he was selected the Michigan String Teacher of the Year by the Michigan Chapter of ASTA and has twice received the Distinguished Service to the Arts award for his work as a teacher and advocate for the arts in the Farmington/ Farmington Hills area. Recently he was a recipient of the Leadership in Individual and Social Responsibility Award presented annually by Olivet College.

Paul Keller

Paul Matthew Keller was born March 11, 1962. He began studying the string bass at age 12. By age 16 Paul had played his first jazz gigs in his hometown of Grand Rapids, MI. He continued his classical music education at the University of Michigan and moved to Ann Arbor permanently in 1986.

Today, Paul is one of the busiest bassists in the Detroit area. He has earned the nick-name “The House Bass Player For The State Of Michigan” as each year, he logs so many miles traveling across the state to perform at various music venues. At his home-base, the Firefly Club in Ann Arbor, MI, Paul leads the 15-piece Paul Keller Orchestra, which plays original, obscure and classic big band material from all periods of jazz history. Under Paul’s expert leadership, the PKO (formerly known as the Bird of Paradise Orchestra) has garnered critical and popular acclaim, accepting Washtenaw Council for the Arts “Annie Awards” and Detroit Music Awards for excellence in performing arts. Their CDs are: Hallelujah Train, Project X, BINGO!, Paris Blues, A Tribute To Count Basie and A Tribute To Benny Goodman. These recordings spotlight Paul’s fine compositions and arrangements. The Paul Keller Orchestra has enjoyed two tours of Europe. The PKO performs every Monday night from 8:00 PM till 11:00 PM at the Firefly Club in Ann Arbor. PKO big band Monday nights at the Firefly Club are a beloved Ann Arbor tradition! Check out www.fireflyclub.com.

Paul is co-leader of the popular Keller/Kocher Quartet. Together since 1987, they recorded Midnight Sun and Pipe and Slippers. This group features the vibraphone wizardry of Cary Kocher. The KKQ tips it’s hat to George Shearing, Nat King Cole and Lionel Hampton.

The Paul Keller Ensemble is a three-horn sextet that features creative arrangements by Keller and his bandmates. The PKE’s 2005 CD Steady Gig features their vocalist Susan Chastain singing 11 of her favorite standards with memorable arrangements by Keller. The PKE’s 2003 CD Christmas Songs For Jazz Lovers contains 12 joyful performances of Holiday classics. The PKE’s 1997 CD, Tall Corn, includes seven original Keller compositions and showcases the band’s extraordinary improvising skills. Tall Corn celebrates through jazz the season of harvest and the beauty of autumn. The PKE performs every Wednesday night from 8:00 till midnight at the Firefly Club in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Check out www.fireflyclub.com.

 

 

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