The Keeze is in the zone!

The State Theater is hosting a hometown jazz classic in which former local-turned jazz extraordinaire Geoffrey Keezer returns to wow the home crowd. On October 17, the Chippewa Valley Symphony invites Keezer to join them on stage. He was born in Eau Claire, graduated from Memorial High School, and went off to tickle the ivories at the Berklee College of Music in Boston. After completing one year there, he joined Art Blakey’s Jazz Messengers at the age of 18. Keezer has worked with many jazz legends, from Hank Jones, Diana Krall, and Barbar Hendricks to Kenny Barron, Chick Corea, Benny Green, and Mulgrew Miller. In 2006, Keezer teamed up with traditional Okinawan singer Yasukatsu Oshima for a groundbreaking album of duets. His recent album, Aurea, is up for a few Grammy nominations and was inspired by a trip to Peru in 2004, Keezer said, and combined big-band with Afro-Peruvian music. Keezer is a possible Grammy nominee for this album. Also part of Keezer’s return is a fundraiser for the symphony on Oct. 15 in which he’ll play at a private home on Lake Wissota at 7pm for $75 per person. Call to order tickets for both, as they’re expected to sell out fast!

    Cavalry, Cannons, and Keezer • Oct. 17 • The State Theatre, 316 Eau Claire St. • 7:30pm • $20 adults, $18.50 seniors, $5 youth under 21 • 832-6366 • www.cvsymphony.org