MUSIC HEALS: In Memory of David J. Keyes — Central Illinois Jazz Society

**Dear Members of CIJS,**

You have joined an amazing organization.
I met founding member David J. Keyes (Dave) about the time CIJS was forming. Watching him perform was mesmerizing.
He and the others put every brain cell, heart and soul into their craft and the resulting jazz exceeded any possible expectations one could have of a couple of scrappy kids...you could see the unadulterated joy on their faces.
Because of the opportunities CIJS created for him to stretch and grow musically, he earned confidence performing and learned how to work well with other personalities and to truly experience the give and take of the creative process.
There were also valuable lessons in responsibility, creating opportunities for others and leadership along the way…

In 1981, the Brubecks played with the Peoria Symphony Orchestra.

Chris Brubeck contacted Dave through the Symphony and asked him to organize a jam after the concert. Dave immediately called several CIJS buddies and an amazing jam happened that night at Pizza Works.

Chris was surprised by their talent and suggested they were ready for New York City. Dave never forgot this kindness; it was just the encouragement he needed. So we went!

Fellow CIJS member Don Gardner then invited Dave to stay with his family in NJ and introduced Dave to the New York music scene.

Dave worked hard to develop a strong network across genres, taking every opportunity to learn and grow.

He often recommended other bass players he felt had earned the opportunity for his gigs so they could meet and perform with top area musicians.
Doing so helped him build a strong network of subs – Band leaders knew one call would get them Dave or another good player – so they often called Dave first.
He would tell you to look for ways to pay forward your success.

Dave realized his wildest dreams because of his network, his work ethic, and the feeling he got from performing (which was first developed through CIJS).

He recorded with Annie Haslam and Renaissance, performing on progressive rock stages like The Quebec Music Festival, Yestival and Cruise to the Edge.
He also recorded and performed with Willy DeVille on major festival stages around the world, including the Montreux Jazz Festival & Das Fest.
When he could no longer perform professionally due to his health, we continued as “BluesFolk,” performing American root music at various local haunts.

We had nearly 40 years together – music was central to our success.

Both of our lives were so positively impacted by our musical experiences and training. Skills Dave learned through CIJS carried through all aspects of his life success. We even had CIJS artists Doug Lady and Gaile Thomas play at our wedding to the delight of our guests!
David J. Keyes was a charismatic man and serious musician who put in the work and loved to watch an audience enjoy. He would tell you to practice endlessly and always be willing to give a fan an autograph & conversation.
I hope you, too, will take full advantage of everything CIJS has to offer.
Thanks to CIJS for all you do nurturing local talent! It matters.
Love,
**Marilyn Shellenbaum Keyes**
*Director, Music Heals: The David J. Keyes Memorial Foundation, Inc.*
*Member, Central Illinois Jazz Society*

“Dave Keyes gave his all to music; it was engraved in his soul.”

Dave was one of the ‘magical’ components that in 2009 would be the foundation for a new *Renaissance* and the beginning of touring and recording once again. He blessed *Renaissance* with his extraordinary bass playing and his beautiful melodic voice.
He was a compassionate man with an incredible spirit that he shared with everyone he would meet. Loving thoughts to Marilyn Keyes, his wife, always there for him every minute of the way.
Rest in Peace Dave. We love you and your incredible ever-present smile will always be present in our lives, and countless others too!

Love,
**Annie, Rave, Mark, Frank, Tom, Jason, Joe, Charlie, John, Leo, Geoffrey and Esa**
***Renaissance***
*Photo by* *Esa Ahola Photography*

“After my brother John, Dave is the bass player I've had the most varied, musical & emotional experiences with in my lifetime.”

He was the one who got me the gig with Willy DeVille, pushing me to learn to play mandolin, open tuned dobro & Tex-Mex style nylon string. If it weren't for Dave (& Willy) I would not have the wonderful life I have today...I met my beautiful wife Hadda on that tour and have since brought two boys into this world with her.
Dave & I spent many nights on tour talking about life & music till the sun came up. He was a true friend, a sweetheart who really cared about people. I had no idea what to expect replacing the great Freddy Koella in Willy's band but Dave went the extra mile to make me feel at ease in a situation where I was "the new guy".
Dave & I traveled in style with Willy, playing the greatest cities of Europe in the summer of 2003, staying in 5-star hotels, dining on the finest cuisine, drinking the best wines and playing some of the most soulful music I've ever had the pleasure of performing on a tour. He loved Willy and was so loyal to him. They are together now.
Dave battled Stage 4 Leiomyosarcoma valiantly for 13 years. Rest in Peace, old pal…and say hey to Willy.
See ya on the other side.
**Steve Conte**

In 2010, Dave organized a memorial tribute to Willy DeVille at BB King's in New York City. See Dave perform “Can’t Do Without It” with Steve Conte, Yadonna West and several others who performed with Willy through the years.