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BIO

Kellin Watson is a nationally-touring singer-songwriter, whose award-winning sound blends elements of blues, pop, folk, and soul. Hailing from Asheville, NC, Kellin draws on her Appalachian roots to bring both power and rawness to her music. She has performed with/opened for artists including: Amos Lee, Little Feat, Susan Tedeschi, The Duhks, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and has also been a featured performer on CMT (CMT’s Big Break). Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins, called Kellin “a rare uncommon talent” whose “songs have the ability to take someone gently by the wrist and tell them a story.” Kellin is currently working with musician/producer Michael Bellar on her fourth CD – a simple, honest and stripped down recording with echoes of her strongest influences: Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, and Nina Simone.

The AS-IS Ensemble is the musical home of musician/producer Michael Bellar. This highly excitable, alt-jazz group has opened for John Scofield, Tea Leaf Green, Medeski Martin and Wood and JFJO. They have performed at such venues as Avery Fischer Hall at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center in Washington DC, SXSW, the JVC, Bell Atlantic and NYC Winter Jazz Festivals along with being the former the house band at the world-famous Blue Note jazz club in New York City. In a review of their first ever performance in New York City, they were hailed as “GENERATION NEXT” by Billboard Magazine. In addition to the AS-IS Ensemble, Michael currently tours with Blue Note recording artist Amos Lee and has previously toured or recorded with Art Garfunkel, Howie Day and Wheatus.

This special evening of music cross pollination will have Michael Bellar/the AS-IS Ensemble opening the show and then reappearing as Kellin Watson’s backing band during her set.