A friend to so many in this music community, we mourn the loss of local blues harp legend, Mr. Keith Doder.

From STLToday.com - Dear son of Victor and the late Nedra Doder; dear brother of Paul K. Doder, previously married to Cindy Doder and loving father of Laney Doder. Dear nephew, cousin and friend to many. A kind, selfless man who loved to humor, help and befriend people regardless of their race, creed or station in life. Keith was an historian and teacher. He treasured baseball, his friends and his family through the friends of Bill W. In his passion for Blues, Keith found a musical home with Tommy Bankhead, his own Blue City Band and Jimmy Rogers Band traveling the US and the world. Services: Funeral service Fri., July 23, 2010, 9:30 a.m. at BOPP CHAPEL. Interment Mt. Hope Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Keith's name to Harris House of St. Louis, 8327 S. Broadway, 63111. Visitation Thurs. 4:00-8:00 p.m. www.boppchapel.com

Bio of Keith Doder ::

Over the last twenty-five years, Keith Doder had emerged as a dominant Harp & Vocals presence on the St. Louis blues scene and a rising national talent. Keith Doder formed The Blue City Band in the early 1980's along with drummer/vocalist, David Tims. But the seeds of Doder's love of blues and harmonica were planted much earlier when Doder honed his harp-playing skills as a regular harpist with St. Louis blues great, Tommy Bankhead.

Doder was recruited by the late Chicago blues legend Jimmy Rogers in 1997 and travelled extensively throughout the United States, Canada, and Europe as a featured harpist. Doder filled the shoes of a long line of blues harpists who backed up Jimmy Rogers. Rogers remarked that,"Keith, you get up underneath me on that harp just like Little Walter used to do."

Doder captured the trademark Chicago blues harp sound and refined it into his own distinctive style. Check out the Blue City Band release, "By Invitation Only", which showcased Doder's lyrical and instrumental prowess. Doder released a CD, "Blue To Bright," which truly captures his rich-toned harp style, songwriting and insightful vocals.