Singer/Songwriter Robin McKelle to Release New Album MELODIC CANVAS

Singer/writer Robin McKelle is a musical enigma, and proudly so. On her upcoming April 20th album Melodic Canvas, she's empowered by the alchemy, embracing her genre-blurring style and no longer trying to fit into a box. The result is a deeply textured, rich, authentic collection, a mix of timely social commentary, intimate lyrics and a thoughtful call to action.

A savvy songwriter and a powerhouse vocalist, McKelle has long found a home where soul, jazz, pop, gospel, blues and the American Songbook cross paths. On the new cd, her sonic template takes listeners on a trip down to the Old South, or sprinkles in a sound that could've emerged from the Motown era, or even a Sade album. In her live performances, she exudes a bandleader's moxie that recalls the Rat Pack era.

There's an insightful storyteller's voice that connects the new songs, a narrative thread that feels smart and soulful. McKelle's characters are vividly drawn, from the struggling teen in 'Lyla' to the immigrant tale of 'Simple Man'; the moments of social awareness, in 'Yes We Can Can' (an Allen Toussaint cover featuring Chris Potter) and 'It Won't End Up', are wise and inspiring without feeling heavy-handed; on first single 'Do You Believe', out March 30th, McKelle questions religion, hate, misogyny.

For the upcoming CD (which she produced,) McKelle sought a more 'acoustic' vibe with a focus on percussion, to allow the subtleties of her voice to shine. In her songwriting and in the arrangements/production of the album, she mixes her varied influences together with strength and grace.

She comments, "There is a common thread that weaves through the music of this album. To inspire, through music, kindness and acceptance and a willingness to have the courage to stand with our brothers and sisters in equality no matter color, race, religion or ethnicity. To foster hope at a time when we seem to need it most. A musical mentor once told me that as an artist, this is our call to action. Melodic Canvas is my contribution.

When thinking about making this record I was finding that I was really drawn first, to the idea of an acoustic sound -- using an instrumentation that would allow me to use more of the subtleties in my voice. I thought the idea of using percussion would give the music and earthy and warm vibe.

A few other things happened around the time I started writing for the album. First, I had just come off a tour with Danilo Perez and Jazz 100. My "well" was full. I was totally inspired after making music with Danilo and the band. (Chris Potter on Sax, Avishai Cohen on Trumpet, Ben Street on Bass, Adam Cruz on drums and Roman Diaz on Percussion).

And 2nd, the election had happened... and so I had a lot to write about.
I wanted to make music with the band. I wanted to record at the same time. I wanted to have beautiful musical moments and chose the musicians because of what they brought to the music. They themselves are great artists so that is what adds to the sound of the music. Shedrick Mitchell (piano, organ, Rhodes) was able to grasp the concept of where I was going with the music and he helped shaped the vibe of the music by the way he played what I wrote.

I also found that I was missing singing more Jazz. Melodic Canvas is like coming back to jazz a bit. I'm a songwriter, singing jazz soul songs. I love that I'm able to use different timbres in the songs depending on what it calls for. It's intimate and I love the idea that if you close you eyes, maybe you can visualize us playing the music in your living room. It's not trying to be anything it's not. It's just the music that we played in that moment. It's a more mature album."

McKelle will tour Europe this Spring, before returning to the U.S. for tour dates including a Rochester Jazz Festival appearance on June 28th.

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