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Julie Kelly

The late, respected jazz critic Leonard Feather once said of jazz singer Julie Kelly, "Julie Kelly radiates a sense of joy and spontaneity. Listening to her, you are reminded that jazz singing is still alive and well!" Feather's successor at the Los Angeles Times, the veteran critic Don Heckman, referred to Kelly as having, "one of the finest vocal jazz instruments of the '90's".

Born in Oakland, California, Kelly grew up absorbing herself in gospel, blues and jazz in addition to pop and classical music. "When I was 13," she remembers, "I was listening to Thelonius Monk, John Coltrane, Ella Fitzgerald, Count Basie, as well as Dave Brubeck, and those wonderful albums with Miles Davis and Gil Evans. It wasn't long before I was sneaking into clubs in Oakland in order to hear people like Earl "Fatha" Hines." She added: "The blues is what guides me, and the great ones have shown the way."

All of these various musical influences are, in some form or other, incorporated into her latest and best vocal album, "Kelly Sings Christy". Her complete understanding of the nuances, so much a part of various ballads associated with June Christy, are resplendent in this CD. In addition, Tom Garvin's excellent arrangements work perfectly in tandem with Kelly's delightful re-interpretations of the songs.

Her earliest musical performing experience consisted of choral singing while attending Catholic prep schools that proceeded her forming a folk and blues duo with her twin sister, Kate, in the 1970's to work in local coffee houses. The duo also performed as the opening act for Peter, Paul and Mary and also appeared at the well-remembered Fillmore Auditorium produced by the then-emerging rock impresario, Bill Graham. At Oakland City College, Kelly took a jazz appreciation class from the noted jazz pianist George Duke and attended workshops conducted by vibist Bobby Hutcherson.

The year of 1971 Kelly spent in Brazil, and that had a profound effect on her musical development. During that period, she spent valuable time in Rio de Janeiro performing with the notable musicians Carlos Lyra and Luis Eca and meeting young, emerging artists like Milton Nascimento.

Returning to the United States, she landed in New York City and, as she well- described it: "I soaked up everything I could in New York. Chick Corea had formed Return to Forever, so there was a modern movement going on in jazz. I hung out at a jazz club called the Guitar and heard mainstream virtuosos like Jim Hall, Ron Carter, Kenny Burrell, Gene Bertoncini, Michael Moore, Tal Farlow. In the summer, I worked at the Music Inn in Stockbridge, MA and everybody came through! Charles Mingus, The Art Ensemble of Chicago, Stan Getz, it was wild!"

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9
Extended Analysis

Julie Kelly: Happy to Be

Read "Julie Kelly: Happy to Be" reviewed by Jack Bowers


Julie Kelly is a talented singer whose talents are a fairly well-kept secret except on the West Coast, where she makes her home. Happy to Be is Kelly's eighth album, the first on Graham Carter's Colorado-based Jazzed Media label, and as has been her custom in the past, she chooses for the most part interesting songs that aren't heard nearly often enough. Compositions by Dave Frishberg, Bob Dorough, Antonio Carlos Jobim, Richard Rodney Bennett and even Phoebe Snow are here, ...

13
Album Review

Julie Kelly: Happy To Be

Read "Happy To Be" reviewed by Dan Bilawsky


Over the past thirty years, vocalist Julie Kelly has established and cemented her sterling reputation via seven highly praised albums. Her eighth, a beauty in every way, is likely to garner her some more rave reviews. After tackling a diverse program with able support from pianist Mike Wofford on Everything I Love (Chase Music Group, 2006), and grafting her own personality onto cool school vocalist June Christy's work with some help from pianist-arranger Tom Garvin on Kelly ...

132
Album Review

Julie Kelly: Kelly Sings Christy

Read "Kelly Sings Christy" reviewed by Roger Crane


The likable and talented Julie Kelly has been a fixture on the West Coast scene for many years. Thou Swell - Kelly Sings Christy is her sixth recording and is arguably her best. And, since she is a most consistent vocalist, that is high praise. Recording this tribute is a blue ribbon concept since her voice quality and approach are perfect for songs recorded by June Christy. Like the noted “Misty Miss Christy,” Kelly is from the so-called “cool school” ...

101
Album Review

Julie Kelly: Kelly Sings Christy

Read "Kelly Sings Christy" reviewed by Richard Bourcier


With her third release for Chase Music Group, the California based Julie Kelly has spawned a gem. This performance is a carefully crafted and joyful celebration of the music of June Christy. June Christy (1925-1990) began her career with Stan Kenton’s band during the mid 1940s. Her relationship with Kenton sax star, Bob Cooper resulted in a marriage that lasted until her death in 1990. The Misty Miss Christy enjoyed superstar status among jazz lovers. June was “the coolest.”

While ...

154
Album Review

Julie Kelly: Into The Light

Read "Into The Light" reviewed by Jerry D'Souza


Julie Kelly records all too infrequently. When a new album comes out, it is well worth looking forward to. She has not disappointed over the course of five records that have taken in jazz standards and new tunes with a sure-fire disposition that profiles a singer with heart.

Over the course of her long career Kelly has sung in a band with John Handy and has recorded with Ray Brown, Nat Adderley and Benny Green. Pretty good credentials, but it ...

116
Album Review

Julie Kelly: Into The Light

Read "Into The Light" reviewed by AAJ Staff


Julie Kelly.."Into The Light"...CMG Release.. It was a Sunday evening a few months ago, when I walked into the 66 California jazz club and heard Julie Kelly sing for the first time. I was immediately taken with the hipness of her style, the choice of tunes and most of all the slick scatting. I came for a beer and stayed for the whole gig. This CD reflects all of the artistry I heard that night. The musicians who accompany Miss ...

190
Album Review

Julie Kelly: Into The Light

Read "Into The Light" reviewed by Jim Santella


Her vocal qualities and spirit recall Carmen McRae. The piano trio with whom she works takes the listener into a nightclub and away from the bright lights. It’s intimate music.

Singer Julie Kelly has captured the charm that turned her on to jazz in the first place. Monk, Brubeck, Basie, Miles and Gil, Mingus, Bobby Hutcherson and many more started her on this road. A year performing in South America with Brazilian bands has aided in Kelly’s development and expanded ...

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Performance / Tour

Brasil To Bebop Celebration At D'Anbino Winery With Vocalist Julie Kelly And The Marshall Otwell Quartet, Sunday, November 11th!

Brasil To Bebop Celebration At D'Anbino Winery With Vocalist Julie Kelly And The Marshall Otwell Quartet, Sunday, November 11th!

Source: Mouthpiece Music

Vocalist/lyricist Julie Kelly, one of Los Angeles’ finest interpreters of jazz standards and Brazilian music, will be bringing her considerable talents to D'Anbino Vineyards in Paso Robles, accompanied by the Marshall Otwell Quartet on Sunday, November 11th, for a celebration of the music of Antonio Carlos Jobim and Jon Hendricks. Joining her will be the graceful and swinging Marshall Otwell Quartet, featuring pianist Marshall Otwell (Carmen McRae), bassist Dylan Johnson and drummer Darrell Voss, along with special guest and Central ...

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Event

Jazz Vocalist Julie Kelly Sings At D'Anbino Vineyards With The Marshall Otwell Trio Sunday Afternoon, September 17, 2017

Jazz Vocalist Julie Kelly Sings At D'Anbino Vineyards With The Marshall Otwell Trio Sunday Afternoon, September 17, 2017

Source: Mouthpiece Music

Julie Kelly, one of the most respected jazz singers on the West Coast, will be bringing her considerable talents to D'Anbino Vineyards in Paso Robles, accompanied by the Marshall Otwell Trio on Sunday, September 17th with an afternoon performance from 4pm-6:30pm. Ms. Kelly, who was recently voted in the Top 10 for “Female Vocalist” in Downbeat Magazine’s Reader’s Poll, received critical acclaim and wide national jazz radio airplay for her latest CD, Happy to Be. According to Jersey Jazz, “There ...

"Happy To Be has it all: fine instrumental solos, a Rolls-Royce rhythm section, sharp arrangements, choice material, and a stellar singer who makes great use of it all." —Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz

"Great tone, magnificent phrasing and the innate ability to sing with the band and not around them has Happy to Be one of the more entertaining vocal releases this year." — Brent Black, Critical Jazz

Primary Instrument

Vocals

Location

Los Angeles

Willing to teach

Advanced only

Credentials/Background

Julie is a much sought-after private teacher, clinician and workshop director. She received her Bachelor of Music in Vocal Jazz from Cal State Northridge and is a member of both N.A.T.S. (National Association of Teachers of Singing) and I.A.J.E. (International Association of Jazz Educators). Julie brings performing expertise to her teaching practice and her experience gained from studying with diverse and masterful teachers – Canadian-born pianist Phil Cohen, Zen Master Maezumi Roshi and jazz vocalist Sheila Jordan. Julie can be found in Leonard Feather’s Encyclopedia of Jazz.

Clinic/Workshop Information

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Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Freedom Jazz Dance

Laurelwood Records
2025

buy

Happy To Be

Jazzed Media
2014

buy

Everything I Love

Chase Music Group
2006

buy

Into the Light

Chase Music Group
2001

buy

Stories to Tell

Chase Music Group
1994

buy

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