662 – Keith Hall: Go For It

Keith Hall’s 25+ year career as a professional drummer and educator has been nothing short of impressive. The Michigan native, who spent nearly a decade in New York studying closely with Billy Hart, touring Europe many times over and subbing for the famed Braodway classic, The Lion King has returned home to Michigan where he serves Jazz Drum Set Professor at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo.

Hall’s career, spanning many decades with artists, including Wycliffe Gordon, Sir Roland Hanna, Michael Phillip Mossman, New York Voices, Janis Siegel, Luciana Souza, Terrell Stafford and Steve Wilson has reached a new level with the much anticipated release of his first record as a leader, Made in Kalamazoo (Trios and Duos).

Keith’s focus on melody and musicality, which is evident throughout Made in Kalamazoo, is something he’s been working on since his early days as a musician and he continues to pass down to the next generation of great drummers.

When people are movin’, I feel like I’m doing my job.

Keith Hall

Keith Hall talks about:

• Summer Drum Intensive
• His teaching style and practices
• How he became a teacher
• What he loves about teaching
• How it felt to release his own record

Resources/Links mentioned:

• Follow Keith: Website | Instagram
• Made in Kalamazoo album