Ellen Oakes Kerr

Ellen Oakes Kerr has been writing and performing original acoustic folk/rock in the Western & Central NY area since age 14. She has graced venues of all kinds, but prefers the intimacy of coffeehouses and the excitement of outdoor festivals. Perhaps the most fitting description comes from Rochester's 98.9 FM The Buzz, who referred to her as "Natalie Merchant and Tracy Chapman's love child."

After hundreds of performances, Ellen has blossomed into a powerful, practiced musician with great stage presence and has an ability to attract listeners of all ages and kinds. Her shows are marked by her magnetic alto vocals that touch every listener.

Ellen's 2011 album, "Gracious Fire," is truly a display of her firey vocals and unique songwriting and features her full band of top-notch musicians. Ellen's performances showcase her finger-picking, folksy style as well has her hard-strumming, soulful, band-backed rock.

To compliment her original material, Ellen sprinkles into her performance a few cover tunes from her vast repertoire of new hits and old classics including the Beatles, Dave Mathews Band, Jack Johnson, Colbie Caillat, Janis Joplin, Neil Young, Tracy Chapman and much more.

For more information, please check out her website.