With a smooth style that slides through jazz, soul, R & B, blues, and world music rhythms, Kellylee’s sound has been compared to Sade, Erykah Badu, and Norah Jones. The special Valentine’s Day performance at the 500-seat Diana Wortham Theatre is a unique opportunity to hear this sultry, bluesy vocalist in an intimate setting.

Kellylee Evans is a unique voice in the music world, and some of the world’s top musicians have taken notice. In 2004, judges including Quincy Jones, Kurt Elling, and Dee Dee Bridgewater awarded Evans second place in the Monk Jazz Vocals Competition. Her debut album was featured as a Barnes and Noble Discover New Music title alongside Corinne Bailey Rae and Gnarls Barkley, and her energy-charged performances have led to invitations to open for the likes of Tony Bennett, Derek Trucks, and Maceo Parker.

In addition to being a 2007 Juno Award nominee for Vocal Jazz Album, a 2007 Gemini Award nominee alongside Michael Buble and Measha Brueggergosman, and a Toronto Independent Music Award nominee for Best Jazz, Kellylee Evans has been nominated this year for a 2009 Canadian Smooth Jazz Award, recognized in the category of Female Vocalist of the Year, of which she was the winner in 2007.

Mainstage Music/Singer-Songwriter Series. Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place. 8:00pm, February 14, 2009. Tickets: Regular $28; Seniors $26; Students $23; Student Rush day-of-the-show (with valid ID) $10. Tickets/Info: (828) 257-4530 or online at www.dwtheatre.com .