Friday, September 25
Kellin Watson
with Michael Bellar
and the As-Is-Ensemble
at The Black Mountain Center for the Arts
8pm
A native of Black Mountain, daughter of musicians, kin to western NC music legends with the same last name, Kellin Watson grew up with roots in jazz, Celtic and old-time
Appalachian music. Her stage presence was honed in musical theater and in college rock bands. She learned to play guitar at age 13, and by age 16 had released her first demo of her own songs. Her first album, Paper Bird, hit the charts in 2003 and was named number 5 out of the top 10 albums for WNC within a month. Her music is a blend of blues, folk, jazz, rock, and pop. Her lyrics belie her youth with their earnestness and authenticity.Besides performing at an UPBEAT! Concert at the Center for the Arts in February, 2007, and holding a CD Release concert here later that year, Kellin has performed at Legends in Boone, at the Grey Eagle, the Orange Peel, and at Thomas Wolfe Auditorium in Asheville, as well as opening for Jessica Simpson at the Alltel Pavilion in Raleigh; in New York she has played The Neighborhood Theatre and The Lions Den.
Opening for Watson is Michael Bellar and the AS-IN Ensemble. The AS-IS Ensemble is the
musical home of composer/keyboardist Michael Bellar. This improvisationally eclectic, alt-jazz group has opened for John Scofield, JFJO and has upcoming performances scheduled with Tea Leaf Green and Medeski, Martin and Wood. The group has formerly been the house band at the world-famous Blue Note jazz club in New York City and performed at such venues as Avery Fischer Hall at Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center in Washington DC and the JVC and Bell Atlantic Jazz Festivals in NYC.Originally from Hickory NC, Bellar now lives in NYC as he is such a sought after player and stays busy with his craft. In 2003 however, he also served as the resident composer of Terpsicorps Theater of Dance, a contemporary/multi-media dance and performance company based in western N.C.
Admission is a $10 donation at the door.
More information is available by calling 828/669-0930
