Kelley Hunt
ORANGE CITY – Passionate blues, scorching soul and gospel traditions.
On Wednesday, August 8 Onstage Orange City presents one of the highlights of 2012: Kelley Hunt and her band, plus Ann Zimmerman, all performing in Windmill Park, Orange City. Ann Zimmerman will open from 6 to 6:45 p.m. and Kelley Hunt will take the stage at 7 p.m.
Kelley Hunt, a Roots R&B/ Americana singer/ songwriter/ piano player/ guitarist, an artist who is truly difficult to define, has “muscled her way onto the scene on her own terms with an identity steeped in blues/ roots/ gospel tradition and a refreshing originality.” Her career path speaks of a story of “fierce independence, incredible will and unassailable credibility as a blistering live performer.” Her performances are renowned across North America, including our own Sioux City’s Saturday in the Park. She has appeared six times on American Public Media’s ‘A Prairie Home Companion.’
Hunt recently performed at the Sioux Falls and Kalamazoo jazz & blues festivals, and she’s scheduled for festivals in Telluride CO, Duluth MN, and the Legendary Rhythm & Blues Cruise in the Caribbean in January.
The Onion in Denver CO said, “Hunt delivers her socially charged lyrics with a voice that’s part powerful gospel yearning and part bawdy soul shouter.”
Of Hunt’s recent album, The Blues Revue wrote, “Hunt’s vocals and captivating piano-playing work together to lift each composition to gravity-defying heights. With each new release – this is her fifth – Hunt’s velvet-smooth voice is further defined.”
And the Minneapolis Star-Tribune added, “Surprises don’t often crop up on the well-trodden blues circuit. So welcome Kelley Hunt. This Kansan is a full-blown phenomenon: Powerhouse singer, hardboogieing pianist, polished songwriter…”
Hunt has a huge fan base in northwest Iowa, so Jane Vogel of Bird House Rentals is honored to be sponsor of the evening.
And there’s more. Ann Zimmerman, renowned folk musician also from Kansas, sings of life on the prairie, performing in the plains states as well as New York, Seattle, Boston and Alaska. She has won the People’s Choice award in the Wildflower! Festival singer- songwriter contest near Dallas, and has been recently nominated for a “grass-roots grammy” in the Just Plain Folks national song contest. She “sings the prairie into universal language,” singing about the joy, sorrow, grandeur and silliness of life. Her music combines rich vocals, piano and guitar, painting pictures for the audience. Singer magazine says, “She has the ability to seamlessly blend humor and sadness in that unique way that makes you want for more.”
The event is free. Bring lawn chairs or blankets. Concessions will be available, including ice cream sundaes! Rain location is the Orange City town hall.
The Orange City Arts Council sponsors Onstage Orange City. For more information, check www.orangecityarts.net or contact 712-707-4885 or ocArts@orangecityiowa.com. Also check kelleyhunt.com and annzimmerman.com.
Ann Zimmerman
Sponsor: Bird House Rentals
Onstage Orange City presents one of the highlights of summer 2012: Kelley Hunt. Kelley Hunt and band take the stage Wed. August 8, featuring Hunt’s music steeped in blues, roots and gospel traditions, but with a refreshing originality. Hunt’s concert begins at 7 p.m. in Windmill Park, Orange City. Opening for Kelley Hunt is another local favorite, Ann Zimmerman, also of Kansas. Zimmerman performs from 6 to 6:45.
