Lynn Keller

Half Moon Bay, California -- 2008

Don't judge a book by its cover. At less than five feet tall and weighing under 90 pounds, this petite and outgoing woman is a "big-time" professional electric bass player. Her resume includes performances with Diana Ross, Rita Coolidge, Michelle Shocked, Nell Carter, The Original Fifth Dimension, Debbie Reynolds and many more. She has also traveled with the national tour of Little Shop of Horrors and the world premier musical, Sister Act.

Soon after my move to Los Angeles in 1991, the local musicians' union recommended Lynn Keller to play bass in an all-female band I put together for the filming of an infomercial in the style of The Tonight Show. We laughed together so much on the set that I knew we would be fast friends.

Over the years, we have shared many adventures, musical and otherwise. One night we met for sushi before my long-standing Tuesday night jazz gig at Jax Bar and Grill in Glendale. We drank a little too much sake and lost track of the time. I was concerned that I wouldn't have time to change out of my green short shorts and fish net shirt before performing my sophisticated jazz gig. Lynn insisted that I looked perfect as I was, so I decided to go for it. Of course, that was the night a local newspaper sent their photographer out to the club for a promotional piece on this popular live music spot. Shots of me playing sax in my hot pants were splashed all over the morning paper! So much for my reputation... thanks, Lynn!

Once we even performed together in our bikinis with Lynn's balls-to-the-wall, all-female R&B band called The Suits.  Hey, it was a Palm Springs pool party in the summer. Whaddya expect? But this gives you an idea of the kind of trouble my buddy Lynn has gotten me into... I guess that's what friends are for!  Those were the good ole days when we were young and crazy.

My favorite thing about Lynn Keller is her consistently upbeat attitude. She's always good for a laugh, and in this tough business called music, that's a very valuable quality in a friend. In the June 2003 issue of Bass Player Magazine Lynn shared, "We all go through times wondering what we're doing in this music business to begin with. I realize this career hasn't afforded me the financial luxuries that many other businesses may have. But what is your definition of wealth? If I open my mental suitcase, what pours out are the wealth of stories and experiences I've had as a bass player. These will live with me for the rest of my life. I can't think of anything better to have in my personal treasure chest."

For more about Lynn Keller, visit www.lynnkeller.com.