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Kellylee Evans by Tanya B. band members: Adam Bowman - drums, percussion Jerome Jeffrey - guitar, backing vocals Matthew Lima - bass, backing vocals Kevin Ramessar - guitar, trumpet, backing vocals Kellylee Evans is a refreshing and familliar voice in the urban-jazz world of today, not just by my standards, various accomplished artists and musicians have taken notice. With a striking style that slides through jazz, soul, R & B, blues and world music rhythms, Kellylees smooth confidence speaks volumes; Robust, soothing, revitalizing and elegantly Outstanding .Kellylees new CD Fight or Flight? In my opinion is one of the most anticipated independent releases of its kind in awhile. From the sultry "What About Me?" to "hooked", to the reggae-flavored "Let's Call A Truce Tonight" and "How can you get along", the album is a fresh and focused effort, that is flawless by Kellylee's vocal arrangement and Artistry. She was just nominated for a jazz award in canada, so we all shall be seeing alot more from this new Lady of song. 1. How does it feel to be nominated for a jazz award in canada? I have to say that it is pretty exciting to be nominated for any award. The jazz part is great, because I had so many questions myself as to whether the CD would ever really fit into that genre. 2.What do you think of the jazz scene in Canada? I really don't consider myself a part of any scene, so I don't spend too much time examining them. I focus mainly on the fans and the people that listen to music. They are my lifeline. And most people that come to the concerts or buy the CD say things like, "I never listen to jazz, but I like your CD" or "I don't like jazz, but I like this". 3. How did you get into jazz music? and why?
Well, at first, I would say that I was solidly into jazz. I sang standards in bar/lounge type settings with a piano, bass and drum trio. My goal in life at that point was just to sing the classics in my way and make a name of myself. Back then, I saw myself as a jazz artist. Strictly jazz. However, when I started writing my own music, the music that I could hear in my head was anything but jazz. It had world and latin influences, pop, soul, r & b, but mostly, and this freaked me out - calypso and dance hall and reggae. I didn't know what to do with it at first. I just sat on the music at first, afraid to alienate my small legion of fans (and I really mean small, less than a couple hundred) in Ottawa that had developed a taste for my take on standards. But one day, I took a chance on my music and let it out there. It was the best thing I could have done for myself. Really. The music is connecting with many others and it makes me happy which is more than I could have asked for. 4. Your recent album, how has the response been in Canada and outside Canada. The response has been really strong. I remember being really worried about selling that first 1000. But since that first concert, it's been hard to keep up with demand. We're on our 9th pressing. Barnes and Noble in the US have been so unbelievably supportive. Early on they fell in love with the CD and they selected it as a Barnes and Noble Discover New Music release alongside Corinne Bailey Rae and Gnarls Barkley. 5. Where have you performed outside Canada? Well, I've performed in NY, Washington and Atlanta and this summer, I was given the opportunity to travel to Aspen with my band to study with Christian McBride (a bassist who has worked with Sting, Pat Matheny) and Janis Siegel (vocalist with Manhattan Transfer). While we were there, we performed three times around town. I'm really looking forward to touring the US and the world, but so far, I've mainly been focused in Ontario. 6. How do you cope with the music biz and raising a family? The way I have tried to look at it is that my kids will be happy to see their parents following their dreams. If I am happy, I feel I will do a better job raising my children than if I were unhappy. And making music really fulfills that requirement for me. My girls are still very young, 3 and 6, but I can see that they know how much I love my career. And I see them really getting involved in their own passions too. 7. What was the first song you composed? One of the first songs i composed was "Who Knows," a playful and free number about going with the flow. Another early cut is "I Don't Want You To Love Me," which is a bit more R&B/jazz flavoured. 8. Lets Talk about the song " Rapunzel" "Rapunzel" Is comically in reference to "The Ugly Girl Song." in other words it is about Women's self-esteem issues in society. "It's a song for the girl in society who feels she will never live up to the ideal," Kellylee explains. "I think every woman can find something in that song to identify with, where they feel, 'Yeah, my butt is too big,' or 'I'm not thin enough." 9.What part of toronto are you from? I'm originally from Scarborough, born (Scarborough General Hospital) and raised (Markham and Sheppard). I moved to Ottawa in 1992 to go to Carleton University. 10. What are your future musical goals? Musically, I would love to play for growing audiences and around the world. I would like to be a strong songwriter who writes songs that others would love to sing as well. And I would like to be able to work with many talented musicians and artists. I just want to keep making my music and have it continue to find a home with as many people as possible. 11. Who is your favourite artists? and Canadian? I don't really have favourites. I have people that I like to listen to lately and those right now would be Keane, Coldplay, Imogen Heap. Canadian artists that I love to are Feist, k-os, Ron Sexsmith. 12. Are there any Canadian and American artists that you would like to work with on your next album? I've never really thought about it. It sounds strange, but on this next one, no. I think I would like to be able to find a really strong producer that could help me craft my music into songs that would suit radio, but I have a vision for this next CD and it doesn't really seem to scream "collabos". With that said, if I'm open to whatever the universe sends. We'll see what happens. 13. Who are some of your musical influences? Sade, bjork, Sarah Vaughan, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Abbey Lincoln, Shania Twain, Sting, Maria Callas, Tribe Called Quest, Imogen Heap, Feist, Cheryl Pepsi Riley, Whitney, Celine, just to name a few. 14. How would you describe your sound? I heard through the grape vine that your description is classic? Sade meets Erykah Badu meets Sarah Vaughan meets Norah Jones - in the Caribbean 15. When will you be performing again in toronto? Nov 2 2006 8:00P Drake Hotel - CAMC Gala Toronto, ON Nov 22 2006 8:00P Open Door Festival - Mod Club - short set Toronto Nov 23 2006 8:00P Hugh's Room Toronto kellyleeevans.com * When you get the chance please check out this GREAT Artist!!! |
