Biography
"One of the '5 Must See Concerts of the Summer'" - Avril Benoit, CBC Radio (July 2006)
2009 Canadian Smooth Jazz Award Nominee
2007 Canadian Smooth Jazz Award Winner
2007 Gemini Nominee
2007 Juno Nominee
2006 Toronto Independent Music Awards Nominee
KELLYLEE EVANS BIO
Ottawa singer-songwriter Kellylee Evans is entering the next phase of her music career with her sophomore album, Good Girl.
The alt.-soul pop recording follows her 2006 critically acclaimed urban-jazz debut, Fight or Flight, which helped garner the Toronto native Juno and Gemini award nominations in 2007 and a win for best female artist at the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards.
Good Girl was written and produced by Kellylee at Audio Valley Recording Studio in Perth, Ontario, with the help of engineer and co-producer Steve Foley and her trusty touring band since 2005.
“With my last CD, which I did back in 2004, I felt that I didn’t get a chance to get a lot of my ideas out. I wanted that opportunity this time to see where the songs would go on my own,” she says. “The song ‘Good Girl’ is about not wanting to live up to anybody else’s expectations. The whole album is about being true to yourself and the idea of trying to please everybody around you. It’s just this desire to not be anybody’s good girl.”
From the reflective “Questioning My Path” about searching for one’s identity to the aforementioned inspirational groove “Good Girl,” and playful eye-opener “Tonight” about not wanting to fall in love with someone, many of the new songs deal with obsession of one kind or another and an ever-evolving stance on things big and small.
“If I just look at simple things, like a month ago I didn’t wear make up and now I do everyday. A few years ago I was told I was allergic to fragrances and so I didn’t use anything that was scented and now, everywhere I go, I’m looking for a perfect scent to wear,” she chuckles. “And there are still people in my life who I haven’t seen in a while who are like, ‘Oh Kellylee, you’re eating meat. You were the biggest vegan!’”
As for her trademark bald pate, she says, “I’m pretty sure that’s going to stay for a while, but I have no plans.”
Kellylee just lets her career unfold, never knowing where it might lead. Her first batch of original songs — which ended up on Fight or Flight — was more jazz oriented simply because she was singing standards at the time with jazz musicians.
“When I started writing my own stuff, I was always thinking that it wasn’t jazz, but everybody thought it was, and when I looked for musicians to make Fight or Flight, everybody that I knew was in the jazz world, so it sounded like jazz,” Kellylee explains. She even took second place in the prestigious Thelonius Monk International Jazz Vocals Competition, whose judges included Quincy Jones and Al Jarreau.
But Good Girl is different.
While “Questioning My Path” has a jazzy-pop vibe she can’t escape, “Tonight” is as poppy as she gets and “Is It Love” and “Lost” have a reggae/dub feel that’s entrenched in her culture. “It’s a very vibey album,” she says. “It’s more atmospheric than Fight or Flight.”
“Good Girl” sums up the album more than any of the other songs, but “Questioning My Path” does come close. “It’s about constantly trying to figure out the right way to go and who I should be and who I should listen to and realizing that I should just listen to myself,” she concludes.
Good Girl is just that — Kellylee Evans listening to herself, and now it is yours to listen to.
QUOTES from Promoters/Presenters
"Kellylee is totally a star. She is going to touch many
hearts with her voice and her lyrics for a very, very long time. I look forward to watching her become a force."
Christian McBride
Bassist (Sting, Diana Krall, Pat Metheny)
Artistic Director, Jazz Aspen Snowmass Academy
"Kellylee is a real original...she dazzled an audience in Aspen accustomed to hearing stars year in and year out. Her combination of a rich voice and soulful delivery and backing from a super band with intelligent arrangements made for a wonderful evening that kept the audience spellbound. A truly memorable debut!"
Jim Horowitz, Executive Director
Jazz Aspen Snowmass
"Kellylee Evans is one of the most unique vocalists I have heard. She has it all together: an exceptional singer, excellent composer, great stage presence, good looks and the ability to move her audience. She also knows how to select superior musicians to accompany her. Outstanding!"
Jacques Emond, Programming Director
Ottawa International Jazz Festival
"It's always a great treat to have Kellylee and her band to Lula Lounge. They are truly professional musicians who put the quality of the show above all other concerns. Through her compelling lyrics and soulful delivery Kellylee builds a rapport with the audience that makes everyone wish the performance would never end."
Tracy Jenkins, General Manager
Lula Lounge
"I was mesmerized by her show."
Alison McCuaig, Sponsorship Director
Ottawa International Jazz Festival
"Kellylee Evans has an exceptionally talented band, matched perfectly with her precise and flawless voice, that live in the open air makes the hairs on my arms stand up, but that's just the beginning, the most important realization came to me when I looked out to the festival crowd audience and there stood a thousand people, all with their jaws resting on the
ground...phenomenal!"
Elaina Martin, Producer
WESTFEST
"Kellylee and her band are exceptionally talented. Kellylee has a strong and beautifully clear voice that fills the open air with ease. The words of her songs make you stop and think about life. Kellylee attracted a huge crowd at the Toronto Street Festival and once
they came they stayed for the entire performance. What amazed me most about her as a performer is her ability to connect to all the different groups in the audience, both old and young. The entire crowd was on its feet moving with her music. Kellylee's CD is a must to buy. I can't stop listening to it."
Johanne Christensen
Stage Manager, Celebrate Toronto Street Festival
"What a voice! Kellylee Evans was born to sing. She sings with such passion,the songs are heartfelt and her performances truly memorable. Once you've
heard Kellylee, you will never forget her! And I am sure that the music world definitely won't in the years to come."
Alyson Fair, Producer
CTV's Good Morning Canada.
"Kellylee makes for good TV! You can't help but be mesmerized by Kellylee Evans' voice and presence on screen. Her televised performances always leave viewers wanting more and it's our privilege to
have the band visit our studio. As producer of a daily show for the Ottawa market it's a pleasure to work with performers who are professional, filled with class and blessed with raw talent. We will all soon say, 'We knew Kellylee Evans when...'".
Amrita Singh, Producer
ROGERS TELEVISION
"Kellylee Evans is absolutely amazing! I had heard she was a wonderful performer but wonderful doesn't do Kellylee and her band justice. When she and her band started rehearsing, the whole room setup came to an abrupt stop! The whole team was mesmerized by her beautiful voice. During the event, her performance captured the entire audience! I
received so many compliments about Kellylee, I can't help but feel she was a major contributor to the success of the event."
Lisa Ball, Producer
Rogers 22 Impression Awards
“With a generous heart and spirit she captivated the room with her soulful voice and beautiful smile”
Erin Trotechaud
Development Officer, Invest in Kids
Instrumentation
Kellylee has been jury selected to showcase at the following booking conferences
APAP (Winter JazzFest)
Arts Northwest
ArtsMarket
Atlantis Music Conference
Bourse Rideau
Canadian Music Week (w/Kobotown)
CAPACOA
Contact East
Ontario Contact
Pacific Contact
Performing Arts Exchange
Western Arts Alliance
Discography
Fight or Flight? (ENLIVEN! Media)
Fight or Flight? Live (ENLIVEN! Media)
Upcoming Release:
The Good Girl (ENLIVEN! Media)
Available at record stores across Canada
Available at Barnes and Noble stores and on BN.com.
Fight or Flight? Live (ENLIVEN! Media)
Available via www.KellyleeEvans.com
Links
| http://www.KellyleeEvans.com |