Japanese Gardens, Powerscourt, Wicklow, ireland

So many magical musical rides with you over the years at different venues. So many chances to laugh and giggle and travel together. I miss your presence and I’m mourning your loss. Love you GIRRLLL💔

Kellye---Many years ago, you were the headliner at KCSM's Jazz On The Hill.  You were a sensation, as always, and I was proud to be selling your CD's right by the stage.  You sent me a beautiful thank you note, which now has a permanent place on my bedroom furniture.....I love and miss you.......

Kellye--You were truly a force of nature.......your authenticity, vulnerability and the way you got inside the song you were singing( whatever song it was) is one thing I will never forget.  On a more personal note, one year at Jazz on the Hill at KCSM, I sold CDs for you.......You wrote me a small thank you card that still sits on my dresser today.  I loved you and will never forget you.............Knock em dead in Heaven!!   xoxoxoxoxo

This is meant for Kyle--for some reason, I do not recall a "celebration of life" happening in June of 2022,  Did I miss it?? Was I at JCW  (June 10-17)?  Did it happen??    I miss and love Kellye and it surprises me how often I think about her-----I LOVED HER FIERCE authenticity, her dedication to her craft, the way she encouraged other singers, and gave her whole heart to inspiring others!!   I watched in amazement as she performed--took risks, sang so many styles, did instruments with her voice----she was one of a kind and she will always be with me--Kyle-if you read this, could you contact me--e-mail or any other way!  xoxoxoxo

Back in the 90s, I saw Kellye perform many times in Austin especially at Top of the Marc. She was an amazing artist.

My name is Aimee Waldman. I met Kellye many years ago at Jazz Camp West. She was a faculty member there many times in the 20 years I have been going to camp. We had many conversations, and though I am not a singer, her fierce passion for life and for singing was always shining, and I could sense it. Hearing her perform many times at camp as well as in the Bay Area, I was always awestruck by the authenticity of her performances.....she was fierce!! As for acts of kindness, her music was an act of kindness. Also, one year I sold CDs for her at a KCSM Jazz on the Hill Festival that she was performing in. She wrote me a beautiful thank you note that I will always treasure. Love and miss you so much Kellye!!!!!

Smiling Kellye

A day full of laughter and sunshine~courtesy of Miss Kellye

Kellye was my cousin. I miss her dearly

Kellye celebrating Paris

Kellye, dear friend Gina LoCurcio and I joined forces to help pass marriage equality. I scripted a short for a GLAAD fundraiser, cut to Kellye singing a cover of Nina Simone's Everything Must Change.  Today, it is still one of my favorite projects.  Kellye's vocal prowess really made the story come alive.  Now of course, I think of her passing when I hear it.  Touché Kellye. Everything Must Change. 

The first time I heard the song 'A-Train' it came out of Kellye's mouth sounding like 'Gay-Train'. We had a big laugh when I realized the actual lyrics but for the next 33 years I would know Kellye and see Kellye her perform, she would change at least one chorus to 'Gay-Train' if I was in the audience.  The joke never got old.  Miss ya Kel. 

I first met Kellye at Jazz Camp West in 2002. She was teaching there and I wanted to take her class that day because I saw her perform the night before. She was an amazing performer so electric and so captivating and I lost all sense of time, that's when I know what I am watching is good, great even, and that rarely happens for me.  Her class was called "Sploosh" and it was as Kellye as the name suggests. Strange and Provocative, Unique and Heartfelt, Insightful and Delightful.  As a teacher she was a song that had peaks,  gullies, fun tidbits, life lessons,  technique hacks,  and laughter.... lots and lots of laughter.  I was a young 27 year old want to be rock star that didn't know the first thing about singing.  Kellye saw something in me.  She was one of the first people to see my potential.  When she told me I could and should sing and when she said this I cried,  because up to that point I had never seen my own potential and neither had anyone else.  She didn't blow sunshine up my butt either, she let me know that I was rough and being a singer/musician would take time to polish.  When I came to camp I didn't even know if I wanted to continue pursuing music and when I left camp I considered myself a singer first. Now nearly 20 years later I believe I am only beginning to show the potential that Kellye saw. Warts and all truly loving myself and my instrument.  She was my friend, teacher, mentor, at times a therapist and life coach. I could always call and she would be there to talk to me.  I miss her and will never forget all she has taught me.