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Kelley Johnson – voice; John Hansen – piano; Michael Glynn – bass; Xavier Lecouturier – drumsKelley Johnson is an international award winning jazz vocalist who is known and respected as an arranger, poet and lyricist with a personal body of recordings. Kelley’s lithe velvety voice mixes with a dynamic delivery and tricky colorful arrangements to showcase her interpretive finesse and inspired soloists. An organic groovy singer with a direct approach, Kelley reaches her audience with storytelling, subtlety, soulfulness and swing.
When Seattle became home in the late 80s, Johnson made a key connection with jazz vocal eminence Mark Murphy at a workshop he was doing. His mentoring both helped her develop her talent and facilitated getting the word out that an impressive new vocalist was on the scene. “Good news for jazz vocal fans!” notified Murphy. “Listen to her sureness of pitch, imaginative song selection and her ability to lyricize to a Joe Henderson theme. Many treats here, my friends. In a world of noise, yahoo, and recorded B.S., the first thing you hear here is none of that. It’s because this girl knows she is a jazz singer and doesn’t have to do anything else!”
Seattle welcomed Kelley. She had the privilege of working with and being encouraged by the greats Buddy Catlett and Clarence Acox until she met and forged a lasting musical relationship with pianist John Hansen. Kelley Johnson and the John Hansen trio with bassist Paul Gabrielson and drummer Jon Wikan gave her the modern roots jazz piano trio sound with a “horn” up front, much like Miles’ early rhythm sections. Having found the sound and the camaraderie she was looking for, her artistry bloomed, as did her arranging and lyric writing. Her first album featured both Hansen and Fred Hersch. Hersch, perhaps the preeminent vocal accompanist extant, produced her first album, “Make Someone Happy” which also featured Larry Grenadier, Steve Wilson and Lewis Nash.
Kelley has served as a professor at Cornish College of the Arts and Director of the Seattle Metropolitan Urban League’s Children’s Jazz Chorus among countless other musical ventures.
"Johnson has an uplifting brightness in her vocal delivery... Her lovely voice stands out for its emphatic clarity and for its direct approach. She pulls the blues out of thin air. It’s genuine. Johnson is a true communicator." - Jim Santella, All About Jazz
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Event Venue & Nearby Stays
Seattle Jazz Vespers, 1111 Harvard Ave., Seattle, WA, United States, Washington 98122
