Kelli Grant & the Swing Kings

Kelli Grant, aka "The Queen of Swing" heads to Hollywood to participate in the 44th Grammy awards being broadcast live on CBS, Feb. 27th from the Staples Center in L.A. A candidate in 2 categories with her new release, "Swing 'n Blues," Miss Grant is in contention for the "Best Jazz Album" and also "Best R&B Performance by Duo or Group with Vocals" for her own R&B original, "Loose Woman Blues". Having been recognized previously for her outstanding songwriting abilities receiving an "Honorable Mention" from Billboard for another R&B original, "The Way Love Use to Be" from her CD, "Honky Tonk Rock".
Her new release, "Swing 'n Blues", 14 wonderful cuts of "blues, jazz, and swing." Reflective of her show, "The History of Swing & Blues", this album culminates a variety of musical styles with some of the best Jazz improves. Instrumentals include; Duke Ellington's, "Satin Doll", "C Jam Blues" & "Take the A-Train" along with a few standards, "Tuxedo Junction" & "Swingin' Shepherd Blues".
However; it is Kelli's vocal gymnastics on the jump blues stylings of Louie Prima's "Jump, Jive & Wail" to the southern blues styles of New Orleans dixieland, "Basin St. Blues" that won my favor.
Demonstrating why she received the title, "the Queen of Swing" from R&B legend, Carl Perkins, Kelli is the driving force behind the beat with her unique lefthand bassline on, "Chinatown My Chinatown" coming full circle with the Blues Brothers, "All My Money Back". Other tunes included, equally enjoyable; "Blues for Dixie", "Sweet Kind of Love", "Milkcow Blues" and Earl Hines, "Rosetta".
An overall exciting collection showcasing Kelli's diverse styles on an unparallel bar presented as only, "the Queen of Swing" could perform. 5 star rating ... Highly recommended. - Kilgore News Herald

Once again the music academy recognizes the talents of Miss Kelli Grant, aka "The Queen of Swing".
Live telecast of the 46th Grammy awards ceremonies will be Sunday, Feb. 8th, on CBS from the Staples Center in L.A.
Sitting on the 5th row is Miss Kelli Grant where her CD, "Blues to Me!" is in contention for 4 Grammy Nominations: "Best Contemporary Blues Album", 2 of Kelli's R&B originals are in the running for, "Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance" and in the very prestigious category of "Song of the Year" is Kelli's patriotic hit, "Stand Up for the U.S.A."
An awesome feeling to have your name listed beside such icons as, Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles and Patti LaBelle, said Kelli.
"Strut My Stuff" and "B-A-D, BAD" are among the only 48 songs listed by the academy for the nomination. Being apart of a list gathered by the biggest organization in the music industry, Kelli is extremely honored to be considered as one of the top R&B vocalist in the country.
Written as a gift for Kelli's Dad, Robert Johnson, who served on the USS Core Aircraft carrier during WWII, "Stand Up for the U.S.A.", is repectfully placed at #11 on the CD index to honor the victims and their families of Sept. 11th, 2001. Included in a "blues" collection because Miss Grant feels like that 9-11 is one of the "bluest days" in America's history. Proclaimed the unofficial anthem of the 21st century by music critic, Mike Gross, her sentiments,
We will always remember ...
The most complete and diverse collection of styles, formats and writings of blues ever assembled.
Jump Blues, rhythm and blues, swing blues, country blues, Western Swing Blues and Kelli's own award winning ... low down, dirty, nasty sounding blues. Writing 9 of the 12 songs, Kelli swings, writes and sings the "blues".
Opening with the swing blues of Count Basie's "Everyday I have the Blues" the album continues with her own R&B song of liberation, "Strut my Stuff". A playful little tune that's got the feel, lyrics and rhythm to become an R&B classic.
Dedicated to the work force, "Til Monday Comes" is true Country blues with the attitude of, "party hardy ... til Monday comes".
Jump blues is demonstrated by the Lakewood Rats own, "Big Tattoo" ... Listen to that bass ... GREAT.
But the best tune on the album is Kelli's own low down, dirty, nasty sounding, "true blues" of "B-A-D, Bad". A desperate plead of every woman's, and man's fantasy to just walk away from it all and "just one time ... be alittle bit BAD." Funny, entertaining and realistic ... something hard to find in most music.
Exploring Western Swing blues, hits included are; "Trouble in Mind", & "Walking in the Shadow of the Blues." The later originally written by the legendary Tommy Duncan, Kelli discovered the song in PD and informed her friend, Tommy's little brother, Glynn Duncan to protect the copyright. He offered to split the royalties with her for her honesty.
More of Kelli's originals follow with "Night Lifin'", "That's Where You Are", "You've Got Something" and "Long Way to Tennessee" all of which are written and performed very well.
Although I personally do not understand why the album was listed in the category of "Best Contemporary Blues Album," one thing is for sure, the album is by far the most complete and diverse collection of blues I've heard. However; because of that, maynot be for the electric guitar blues fan commonly associated with the blues. But if you do love all fascets of the blues, then this is a must, if only for the patriotic hit, "Stand Up for the U.S.A." Listen to the words and you'll see why it should be apart of this album. Blues is Blues, and this is ... "the Blues". - Longview Newspaper