PRESS RELEASE
May 2011
Ellen O’Brien is singing the blues – and grinning from ear to ear.
The Winthrop-based vocal artist just won the prestigious New England Urban Music Award for Best Female Blues Artist. The award was presented on April 30th, 2011, at the Awards ceremony/concert at the Strand Theater in Dorchester, where a red carpet was rolled out for participants.
Before receiving the award, O’Brien performed Midnight Train to Georgia, to a standing ovation.
“I felt amazing…and honored!” she said, smiling as she recalls the evening’s proceedings. “And I appreciate the support of all my fans.”
Those fans love her three-octave range, which sweeps from silky, smooth lows to crystalline, sparkling highs, and they loyally follow her, whatever she’s singing: blues, jazz, rock, and American songbook.
“I know it’s difficult not to get pigeon-holed, but I’m very fortunate that my audience enjoys good music – whatever the style,” O’Brien explains.
Currently, Ellen O’Brien’s performing schedule includes appearances at Darryl’s Corner Bar and Kitchen, in the South end; the Hyatt Harborside, at Logan airport; Red Rocks restaurant, in Swampscott; and Cheers, at Fanieul Hall.
For an up-to-date listing, visit Ellen’s website at www.ellenobrien.com.
O’Brien is also now offering private classes, which include singing, performance and stage skills, and vocal therapy (for anyone who uses his or her voice repeatedly).
Her own considerable stage skills incorporate spontaneous and irreverent humor, which never fails to delight audiences – and is a hallmark of an Ellen O’Brien live appearance.
“I have a lot of fun when I’m on stage,” admits O’Brien. “My audiences tell me it’s contagious.”
Whether she’s scatting a snappy Cole Porter tune, lyrically interpreting a soulful Carole King ballad, or singing the blues, – an evening with this savvy performer will raise your spirits.
A CD, “Ellen O’Brien”, was produced by Parr Audio on Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Featuring the accomplished singer Ellen O’Brien, this eclectic record includes smooth jazz, blues, and soul. For more information visit the website at www.ellenobrien.us . Parr Audio is owned and operated by Jim Parr a talented and successful music producer, songwriter, and musician. He does much work for Carly Simon and the Taylor family. Also, he is involved in movie and television soundtracks. His acceptance of Ellen as a client was due to her tremendous talent. The CD includes many significant musicians including Rick Marotta, Jeremy Berlin, William Galison, etc. A second CD of one of Ellen’s live performances is also available through our website. This CD features many great cover tunes. CDs can be purchased on the website.
An accomplished singer and songwriter, Ellen’s career is quite extensive. She attended the prestigious Berklee School of Music in Boston. After leaving she did numerous gigs in the Boston area along with vocal ads for well known Boston businesses. Ellen fronted a band which toured the US and Canada and one in Cairo sponsored by the US and Egyptian Embassies which performed nightly for two weeks.
Ellen moved to New York City where she won The Apollo Theater competition three times in a row, sang solo at the Lincoln Center, was the headline solo vocalist at numerous clubs, and was featured on the Tom Bergeron Show with Mark Wahlberg and others. Also, she performed at R&B Night at Tramps with Mary J Blidge and CeeCee Penderston . She is a sought after “event” performer in the city.
She filled in for Carly Simon at a major Democratic Senatorial fund-raising event and performed with Tony Bennett and Whoopie Goldberg. She was selected to sing at Berklee School of Music as an Alumna All-Star. She sang to 1500 people and received a standing ovation.
OTHER NOTABLE PERFORMANCES
Ellen has had great performances at the Iridium Jazz Club in New York City and at the well-known Ryles Jazz Club in Cambridge, Massachusetts along with Scullers in Boston. She was a finalist in the Boston Pops Talent Search (3 out of 700) and sang with the Boston Pops Orchestra at Symphony Hall in Boston.
TV AND RADIO LIVE APPEARANCES
Joey Reynolds Show (WOR-710 AM Radio) New York City, (Twice).
Liz Walker Show (WBZ TV Channel 4-CBS) Boston, (Twice).
FOX TV Channel 25 Morning News Show, Boston, (Twice).
Erik Jackson Show (WGBH Radio 89.7 FM) Boston.
Janed Birchfield Show (WQRC Radio 99.9 FM) Hyannis, Massachusetts.
Barbara Dacey Show (WMVY 92.7 FM) Martha’s Vineyard, MA and Newport, RI. (Twice).
Talented and noted movie producer, writer, and musician David Heilbroner writes:
"When people hear Ellen live today, they all want to know, ‘How come she isn’t famous yet? And ‘Where can I get a CD ?’ Small wonder. Ellen has the stage presence of a bad-ass Boston white girl cycled through a heavy dose of Chaka Kahn. She steps up to the mic, smiles that thousand-kilowatt smile and right away she owns the room. Then out comes that big, big, BIG voice. There’s R&B
in her. Gospel. FM pop and straight-down-the-line jazz. But she’s more than a pro with amazing chops. You listen to Ellen for two minutes and you know she’s not just about riffs and blowing you away with technique. Ellen can do that, all right. Only, way more important she’s got soul—and that’s the starlight that shines when Ellen sings".
LISTEN TO ELLEN LIVE
Recorded Live at the HOT TIN ROOF
on Martha's Vineyard
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