Michigan Tech Jazz Bands to Honor Don Keranen
Michigan Tech's Department of Fine Arts will honor Don Keranen, the founder
of the jazz studies program, in concert on Friday, May 3, at 8:00 p.m.
in the Rozsa Center. Mike Irish will direct the Jazz Lab Band, Research
and Development Big Band, plus the combos Jaztec and Momentum, in the
First Annual Don Keranen Memorial Concert, featuring many of Keranen's
personal favorites, his own compositions, and music influenced by his
love for the Caribbean. Irish promises a lively, entertaining evening
of jazz, with MTU's bands at the peak of their form. Don Keranen, who died unexpectedly in January, was a member of the Michigan
Tech music faculty from 1967-1990. A native of Baraga, Keranen received
his music degrees from Northern Michigan University and the University
of Oregon. At MTU he was a popular and influential teacher, developing
the award-winning jazz program as well as shaping the Huskies Pep Band-including
its striped bib overalls and unusual hats-and the Wind Symphony. After 23 years at Michigan Tech, Keranen left to pursue his dream of
being a full-time jazz musician. This led him to extended residences in
New York City, Miami, and Jamaica, where he was known professionally as
Doctor Keys and enjoyed a successful career as a solo performer and music
coordinator for a resort hotel chain. He returned to campus occasionally,
most recently in April 2001 for a jazz reunion concert, playing sax in
the Alumni Jazz Band on the Rozsa Center stage. Keranen's former students
and faculty colleagues remember him with pleasure as an outstanding multi-instrumentalist
and an innovative teacher who provided students with many opportunities
in music. Keranen's son Jay has established an award to be given annually to the
student selected as the most improved in the MTU jazz groups. The 2002
award winner will be announced at the May 3 concert, which members of
the Keranen family will attend. Tickets for the concert are available from Rozsa Center Ticketing Services
(487-3200), SDC, Memorial Union, and on the web at www.tickets.mtu.edu
for $8 general, $4 students ($1 more at the door).
