PODCAST - Michael Keller

Born and raised in Queens, NY, Michael is a graduate of the prestigious Archbishop Molloy High School and the renowned music conservatory. The Manhattan School of Music. Upon graduation from The Manhattan School in 1971, he pursued a career as a professional performing musician spanning the next 35 years. While still in Manhattan, Michael started his professional playing career by being a frequent substitute drummer/percussionist at the long-running off-Broadway production of Jacques Brel Is Alive & Well & Living in Paris. Besides touring in the early 70s with Broadway National tours of Promises, Promises, Applause, and The Magic Show, Michael was also in bands backing Sally Kellerman, Dionne Warwick, The 5th Dimension, and Jane Olivor. Being hired as the original drummer for They’re Playing Our Song on Broadway led to the beginning of his long and rewarding working & personal relationship with Marvin Hamlisch. With Marvin’s complete & trusting support, Michael embarked on a second related career as a Music Coordinator beginning in 1992. In 1993 he was Music Coordinator and drummer for Marvin’s The Goodbye Girl. From 1990 until 2005, Michael was conductor and drummer for all of Marvin’s concert appearances. In addition to contracting many films and TV score recordings of Marvin’s music, Michael was given his greatest opportunity when Marvin entrusted him to hire and coordinate the 63-piece orchestra for the Barbra Streisand concert tour in 1994. Michael repeated that effort several times over the next 15-20 years. Upon closing the Broadway production of Imaginary Friends featuring Marvin’s music, Michael chose to put away his drumsticks and concentrate solely on his burgeoning career as a Music Coordinator.  Among over a hundred Broadway productions coordinated by Michael since 1993 are Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, The Book of Mormon, Wicked, and The Lion King. Michael’s life is complete with his wife of 40 years, Actress/Dancer/Choreographer Pamela Sousa, son Zachary, daughter Alexis, daughter-in-law Christin, and grandson Gavin Michael.For more: https://www.m2music.nyc/about-usThank you for reading Broadway Drumming 101. This post is public, so feel free to share it.Clayton Craddock hosts the Broadway Drumming 101 Podcast and Newsletter. He has held the drum chair in several hit broadway and off-broadway musicals, including Tick, tick…BOOM!, Altar Boyz, Memphis The Musical, Lady Day At Emerson's Bar and Grill and Ain’t Too Proud.The Broadway Drumming 101 Instagram page: InstagramThe Broadway Drumming 101 YouTube page: YouTubeFor more about Clayton, click HERE Get full access to Broadway Drumming 101 at broadwaydrumming101.substack.com/subscribe