Jane Wiley Keep

Jane joined the company as a guest artist in the legendary Invisible Cities performance at the old Lawndale Art Center in 1989.  She of course had her own illustrious career as a performer in Houston, and we shall keep her memory alive.

Jane Wiley Keep

September 14, 1945  –  August 6, 2021

Jane Wiley Keep was born to entertain. A singer, songwriter, actress, artist, dancer, comedienne, photographer, model, writer, entrepreneur, teacher, student, world traveler and all around lady raconteur Her talents were all delightful and she was a genre all her own. She was wickedly witty and playfully wise. But mostly she was a beauty with a free and open spirit and a brave, innocent and shining soul. Jane shared her light generously and unconditionally. 

As a child, „Jane Nell“ would gather her siblings, relatives and even pets, to put on fully choreographed and costumed song & dance shows. Her talents were deep rooted and shined all her life. In the 60s and 70s, she eventually made a career of retail fashion merchandising for stores such as Sakowitz and Neiman Marcus. All the while honing her acting and her music whenever she could. Including trips to Los Angeles and New York to perform, act and record.

In the early 80s, Jane inherited a building full of vintage WWII electronics parts. Famous for saying, „When you inherit a warehouse full of antiquated electronics, you make art!“ She dubbed the place the „Gulf Coast Electronics Museum.“

Over these many years Jane become a fixture on the Houston scene. She continued to create art and perform at an array of local venues. She also converted the Electronics Museum into her own music and art venue. She would even open her doors to Houston Community College Art students and conducted art workshops. The building would become her venue for art exhibits and musical performances for many years to come. She recorded her first original music CD, „Gullible Girl“ in 2008. A building fire in 2011 did not slow her down. She regrouped and her electronics art creations were stored.

Jane suffered from a series of strokes over the years. However, trooper that she was, she still performed when she could and even produced her last two CDs. And as the show must go on — no matter what! She even performed live for her September 2019 Birthday Release of „Prodigal Daughter,“ just one month after a stroke and despite the onset of dementia and apraxia. She cut four CDs of original songs, produced many unique works of art and was known throughout the greater Houston Arts & Entertainment community as „Bongo Jane.“ She lives on in her music, her art and in our cherished memories.