Kellylee Evans (CA)
Canadian soul singer Kellylee Evans was at jazzahead for the first time in 2015. In 2005 she had won the Thelonious Monk competition. Her new album GREENLIGHT, which she made in 2021 after a seven-year recording abstinence, is characterized by strong resilience in times of pandemic. This was especially difficult for the talented Ottawa jazz singer, as Kellylee was still recovering – literally – from a bizarre accident in which she was struck by lightning. Recorded during the lockdown, Kellylee offers insights into our own vulnerability during these strange times on GREENLIGHT. “Some of the songs I sing about are about mental health and supporting people in those moments,” she explains. “A lot of it is about my own life.”
Over the past 15 years, Kellylee has won over audiences with forays into jazz, R&B, hip-hop, pop and a Juno Award-winning tribute to Nina Simone. With GREENLIGHT, this literally electrifying artist whose vocals and stage presence captivate audiences is back.
We are delighted to engage her at short notice from touring in France to the festival opening concert of jazzahead!
Line-Up: Kellylee Evans (voc), Joann Kempst (g), Remi Rascar (b), Tilo Bertelo (dr)
