JO KELSEY.
Jo Kelsey is a professional vocalist currently based in Auckland, NZ. With her heart in the blues, soul and rock, Jo specialises in vocal arrangements (leading backing vocals and choirs) and improvisation in addition to her strong lead vocals.
Growing up in Birmingham (UK) Jo was heavily influenced by the city's rock n' roll heritage (Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath) whilst training as a classical singer and pianist. She soon moved to London to pursue her passion for music, gaining a BMus (Hons) in Vocal Performance from The Institute of Contemporary Music Performance whilst building a steady career.
Over the next 6 years, Jo worked as a session musician (credits include: Guitar Hero, Accenture, Secret Cinema and British Soul Standard) - working on a wide variety of albums and stage shows, performed in and managed bands, in addition to building up a busy teaching practise and leading choirs for both children and adults across the city. At the same time, Jo released three studio EP's of her own work and toured throughout the UK and Europe in support of her original music.
Tiring of London life and in search of new adventures, Jo spent the next two years travelling the world, singing anywhere and everywhere and discovering new sounds. Eventually she decided to settle in Auckland, where she spent a several years leading the New Zealand Girls Choir, whilst building up a busy music tuition practise and fronting blues-rock band Radio Coma. Jo is currently continuing to teach, specialising in voice and performance anxiety, working as a freelance vocalist and leading choirs across the city while experimenting as a solo artist - expect new releases in 2020!
"… Smart, beautiful, and with an edge, Jo Kelsey's blend of powerful vocals and dark lyrical content bring around a new wave of emotional discord, trying to make sense of an uncaring world..."
“Jo has a unique and soulful tone to her voice that is captivating, moving and even haunting. Her vocal range is, to say the least, impressive and always has more to give. Jo sings with raw emotion, pure passion and true beauty as her voice speaks to your every sense.”
"A vocal powerhouse..."
"The raw voice of Jo Kelsey makes Big Brother and the Holding Company with Janis Joplin float to the surface again."