Evans, who was recently signed to Universal Music/France, and is recording material for her next CD, will be performing with a jazz trio of internationally renowned musicians including Francois Moutin on Acoustic Bass, Marvin Sewell on guitar, and Mark McClean on drums. Both Moutin and Sewell recorded NINA with Evans, (in Paris) and Moutin has performed with her several times in noted clubs and music festivals throughout France since the record was released last year.
The Harlem-wide jazz festival reunites the Festival's founding partners, the Apollo Theater, Harlem Stage and Jazzmobile, and focuses on the venues, music, and artists that were central to Harlem's cultural landscape from the 1920s through the 1970s and on contemporary jazz artists. Bringing both established and emerging artists to famed Harlem venues, the festival will pay tribute to Club Harlem, Clark Monroe's Uptown House, Havana San Juan Club, Small's Paradise, Minton's Playhouse, Showman's Cafe, Park Palace, Lenox Lounge and the Apollo Theater. In addition to concerts at Jazz Shrines, other Festival events will take place at Harlem Stage Gatehouse, Columbia University and a variety of locations throughout the Harlem area.
Designed to draw a diverse audience of neighborhood residents, New Yorkers and tourists, all events are offered at the affordable price of $10, and tickets for many of the Harlem Jazz Shrines Festival events are available now. Concerts are scheduled to allow people the option of attending several events each day, continuing the tradition of non-stop jazz throughout Harlem. For tickets and more information on the Festival and its partners, visit the Harlem Jazz Shrines' web site at Harlemjazzshrines.org and/or the organizations' web sites at apollotheater.org, harlemstage.org and www.jazzmobile.org.
NINA (released by Plus Loin Records in France and Canada) is Kellylee Evan’s third solo release. She independently released GOOD GIRL (2008) and FIGHT OR FLIGHT? (That earned a Juno Nomination in 2006). She drew early critical-acclaim for capturing second place at the prestigious Thelonius Monk International Jazz Vocal Competition, and has toured extensively throughout Canada. She has also performed in the US, France, Greece, and earlier this year performed at the Festival International de Jazz de Port-au-Prince in Haiti.
