Don Keller

Don Keller is a rare channeler of the rhythmic, tropical sounds of soukous and Congolese rumba music. The Seattle-based guitarist and composer first learned soukous music in his 20s without prior experience with African music. For more than a decade, Don has interwoven bright lead guitar lines with hypnotic drums, earthy bass, relentless rhythm guitar, and vocals reminiscent of Franco & le TPOK Jazz, Zaiko Langa Langa, Nyboma & Kamalé Dynamique, and Kanda Bongo Man. His passion is bringing back the joyous sounds of music that reigned in Zaire from the ‘60s through the ‘80s and has worked on projects with Kanda Bongo Man, Nyboma, Malage De Lugendo, and Jeannot Bel. In the early 2000s, Don heard the song Mario by Franco & le TPOK Jazz after he checked out a Rough Guide compilation CD from the local library. Mario’s hypnotic, ethereal sound was unique, fresh and brought a whole new light to what was sonically possible. Throughout the 2000s Don learned and performed guitar styles in Seattle, Washington from experts of African music such as Leif Totusek and Ibrahima Camara. It was only a matter of time before he carved his own voice and identity to pursue his mission of spreading African music around the world.