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Kellylee Evans
The Canadian singer was approached by French label Plus Loin Music, who had discovered her through her 2nd place win at the Thelonious Monk Jazz Vocals Competition. After several years of discussion, they invited her to France in November of 2009, where she spent two days in the studio. "They said I could do whatever I wanted as long as it was standards" Evans recalls. "I had always wanted to do a Nina Simone tribute. She was one of my mom's favourites, and my husband's, and I love her too. So I chose her and they were really gung ho."
Evans' love and respect for the original recordings of the music shines through, but, even in taking on some of Simone's most iconic repertoire, the twelve tracks on the album showcase Kelly's own versatility, creativity and innate musicality. She is reunited with guitarist Marvin Sewell (Jason Moran, Cassandra Wilson), who appeared on her first album, and joined by bassist François Moutin (Moutin Reunion Quartet, Rudresh Mahanthappa), and drummer André Ceccarelli (Dee Dee Bridgewater, Biréli Lagrène).
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Kellylee Evans: A Nod to Nina, Then Onward
by R.J. DeLuke
In a sense, singer Kellylee Evans was fast-tracked into her career in music, deciding relatively late in her still-young life that she would plunge into show business waters; waters that can sometimes be murky and beset with storms.When the Toronto, Canada-area woman made a decision to drop pursuit of a master's degree to pursue singing--a decision made after a near-death experience--it wasn't long before she was working on her first recording, an album created with the aid of ...
read moreKellylee Evans: Nina
by C. Michael Bailey
Every once in a while an homage project comes along actually doing what it sets out to do: pay homage. That the object of the present homage is the enigmatic Nina Simone makes Canadian Kellylee Evans' Nina that much more a definitive statement of a courageous cultural career. Add to this that Evans thoughtfully does not cover Simone's Mississippi Goddamn," and this collection is properly frames not only Simone, but also Evans, whose musical vision, already established, is a formidable ...
read moreRockwired.com's Latest Edition of Jazzed and Blue Feature Blues Legend Tracy Nelson, Jazz Artist Kellylee Evans and Sci-Fi Icon/Chanteuse Jane Badler
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Rockwired Media LLC
The latest edition of Jazzed and Blue: Profiles in Blues and Jazz will be available on Sunday, June 19, 2011 at 12pm (EST) exclusively at Rockwired.com. The two-hour show will be hosted by Rockwired founder Brian Lush and will be available for both streaming and download. Personally, I am truly excited to be getting this show off the ground!" confesses Lush Along with all of the excitement is a great deal of anxiousness as well. Jazz and Blues are nothing ...
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Canadian Chanteuse Does Nina Proud
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The Independent Ear by Willard Jenkins
Nina Simone was one of the more thoroughly unique and singular artists of the 20th century. Her legacy lives on in many corners; radio programmers such as WPFW's Miyuki Williams ("A Sunday Kind of Love") steadfastly and earnestly uphold and celebrate that legacy. The stories from those who knew her are legendary. There was no one who better fit the mantle of fiercely iconoclastic than Ms. Simonefreedom & human rights champion, absolute independent, driven woman are just a few of ...
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Kellylee Evans Wins Canada's 2011 Juno Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year
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Raul Li
Kellylee Evans has won Canada's 2011 Juno Award for Vocal Jazz Album of the Year. The album, entitled Nina (Plus Loin Music), is a tribute to jazz great Nina Simone. Other nominees for the 2011 award included Emilie-Claire Barlow, Nikki Yanofsky, Laila Biali and the late Jeff Healey. This was the Ottawa-based singer-songwriter's second Juno Award nomination and first win. It was an honour to be nominated alongside such talented artists," said Evans. And I am extremely grateful to have ...
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One Track Mind: Kellylee Evans, "I Loves You Porgy" (2010)
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Something Else!
By Nick DeRiso Taking on Nina Simone, a singer of dusky persuasiveness, might be foolhardy enough. Remaking this song, a Top 20 pop hit off Simone's celebrated 1958 debut Little Girl Blue seemed like the worst idea of all. But Canadian singer Kellylee Evans finds a new light, even if it's only a small sliver, within this dark tale from the 1935 opera Porgy and Bess. Simonea classically trained pianist born Eunice Kathleen Waymon in Tryon, North Carolinafully explored a ...
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Singer Kellylee Evans Interviewed at All About Jazz
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Fully Altered Media
In a sense, singer Kellylee Evans was fast-tracked into her career in music, deciding relatively late in her still-young life that she would plunge into show business waters; waters that can sometimes be murky and beset with storms. When the Toronto, Canada-area woman made a decision to drop pursuit of a master's degree to pursue singinga decision made after a near-death experienceit wasn't long before she was working on her first recording, an album created with the aid of noted ...
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Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson
Mood Indigo
From: NinaBy Kellylee Evans