Krisanne Crowell and Solarocity
Artist profile
Official Bio
With unique experience as a pianist, horn player, vocalist, songwriter and arranger, Krisanne Crowell has a reputation as a serious force on the Halifax music scene. Krisanne’s debut cd, Right in the Middle of Wrong was nominated for a 2011 East Coast Music Award for Best Jazz Recording, as well as making the CHMR Blind Lemon top 20 Canadian Blues Albums of 2010. With Krisanne’s catchy melodies, smooth, sultry vocals and full horn arrangements, she and her 8 piece band, Solarocity deliver jazz, latin and blues with an edgy, contemporary sound fuelled by hot musicianship.
Krisanne made her first splash on the Halifax music scene as co-founder of the popular 8-piece jump blues band, The Floorboards. The band caught on fast, building a huge fan base and snapping up an East Coast Music Award in 1991.
Kris was hooked. She threw herself into music, studying at Humber College and at Dalhousie University, while finding time to gig — even busking on the side — to hone her performance chops.
Her love of arranging for horn sections was complimented by her sax and vocal work with pianist J.P. Ellis, and drummer, Dave Skinner, as The Tritones, who soon set a new standard for smooth an intricate jazz vocal harmonies.
Collaboration with international drumming sensation Dave James as a member of The Jazz Hoods and The David James Orchestra marked the beginning of a new phase of artistic growth for Krisanne — and a fresh drive to spearhead her own musical projects. She created the Latin/Funk/Jazz group, K.C. and the Sunshine Men, featuring her own arrangements and original compositions performed by an all-star band.
Krisanne’s debut cd, Right in the Middle of Wrong marks a new high in this prolific artist’s career. Recorded with virtuoso guitarist Russ Brannon and her new band, Solarocity, this full-length CD features Krisanne’s original lyrics and arrangements for a full horn section — a signature sound driven by a top-notch rhythm section.
With an extensive and diverse background, Krisanne Crowell proves that she’s the real deal — and this album delivers. If you’re a fan of jazz and blues with an edgy, contemporary sound and hot musicianship, Right in the Middle of Wrong belongs right in the middle of your music collection.