Kellylee Evans Named December “Best Vocalist Of The Month" With Her Song, "Hooked"

Kellylee Evans, an excellent, soul/jazz singer & songwriter based in Toronto, ON, Canada, has won the December SingerUniverse “Best Vocalist Of The Month” Competition, for her performance of her song “Hooked”. This song is one of 11 cuts included on her debut CD Fight Or Flight, which she released independently in Canada in May (2006) and in the U.S. in August.

“Hooked” is an elegant, jazz/R&B midtempo song, which combines the sensual soul style of Sadé with the vocal power of a Cassandra Wilson or Tracy Chapman. Evans wrote this song by herself, and the recording was expertly produced by Evans with Lonnie Plaxico, who is a noted jazz bassist who has worked with Cassandra Wilson, Art Blakey, Wynton Marsalis and others.

Evans was born and raised in Toronto, and she began singing at an early age. She was influenced by such varied artists as Sarah Vaughan, Blondie, Sadé and Shania Twain. Evans also plays some guitar and piano. During high school, Evans sang in Toronto’s Mendelsohn Youth Choir, and she performed in local talent contests.

For college, Evans attended Carleton University in Ottawa, where she earned Bachelor degrees in both Legal Studies and English Literature. She then came close to finishing her studies for a Masters degree, but then two events occurred which changed her life and goals. “I almost finished my Masters thesis, but then my mother got sick and passed away,” explained Evans. “I also had a brush with death due to an allergic reaction to a medication. These events got me thinking about going for my dreams and pursuing music. [As a result] I left school and started to make music my career.”

Soon after, Evans knew she was on the right track, when in September 2004 she won second place in the Thelonius Monk Institute of Jazz international competition (which was judged by such prominent figures as Quincy Jones and Al Jarreau). Evans flew to Washington, DC to perform at the awards show. In addition, she has recently been nominated by the Canadian Smooth Jazz Awards for female vocalist of the year, and nominated by the Toronto Independent Music Awards.

With the release of her album Fight Or Flight (which is a mixture of R&B soul, jazz, world rhythms, and Caribbean music), Evans is building a solid reputation as a talented artist to watch. Her album has sold an impressive 8,000 units, and she has been a featured artist selection in Barnes & Noble stores throughout the U.S. Also, Evans is touring regularly, with her husband Raul Li assisting as her tour manager. And now she has gotten a further boost - she has just signed on with a top booking agency, Feldman & Associates.

Top Five Vocalists Of The Month

"Best Vocalist Of The Month" Winner

Song Title: "Hooked."   By:   Written and performed by Kellylee Evans of Toronto, ON, Canada.   Listen: Email: info@kellyleeevans.com Websites: www.kellyleeevans.com, www.myspace.com/kellyleeevans

More Best Vocalists Of The Month

Song Title: "Are We Still A Couple." (R&B/pop). By:   Performed by L. Julius of Charlotte, NC. Written by Lloyd Williams. Listen: Email: infinityworldwidemusic@yahoo.com Websites: www.infinityworldwidemusic.com, www.myspace.com/ljulius704   L. Julius

Song Title: "Holdin' On" (blues/rock). By:   Performed by Shay Dillon of Nevada City, CA. Written by Shay Dillon and Paul Kraushaar. Listen: Email: shaydillon@sbcglobal.net Websites: www.broadjam.com/shaydillon   Shay Dillon

Song Title: "Butterfly" (acoustic/pop). By:   Performed and written by Pamela Martin of San Francisco, CA. Listen: Email: martinband@yahoo.com Websites: www.garageband.com/pamelamartin   Pamela Martin

Song Title: "Left By The Side Of The Road" (acoustic/folk). By:   Performed and written by Ruth Bloomquist of Muskegon, MI. Listen: Email: rubyrecords@earthlink.net Websites: www.ruthbloomquist.com   Ruth Bloomquist

To enter the next "Best Vocalist Of The Month" Contest (the deadline is the last day of each month), please Click Here

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