Media Tools / Press Kit

PRESS KIT

CONTACT

BOOKING & MANAGEMENT:
Sébastien Farran // sebfarran [@] rushmanagement.fr
Mathilde Retailleau // mathilde [@] rushmanagement.fr

PUBLICITY & LABEL (GROUNDUP MUSIC):
Jamie Margulies // jamie [at] groundupmusic.net

BIOGRAPHY
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Prior to launching a solo career, British-born, Canadian-raised singer/songwriter Michelle Willis amassed an impressive résumé through a variety of collaborations and work as a session keyboardist and background singer. She graduated from Toronto's Humber College jazz program, and began performing at weekly piano bars across the city. It wasn't long before she expanded to become a hired gun for a variety of different acts like David Crosby, Becca Stevens, Laura Mvula, Snarky Puppy, Parachute Club and Zac Brown Band.

A choir kid, with a love of Ray Charles, Joni Mitchell and Carole King, Michelle was naturally drawn to songwriting and vocal experimentation. Her intimate, lush, and emotionally powerful music fuses the sound of early 70s soul, jazz, and modern folk with a sea of voices and hymn-like harmony. Her debut full length album, See Us Through, was released on GroundUP Music / Verve in 2016.

"Michelle is one of my favourite singers in the world." - That's David Crosby of Crosby, Stills & Nash, describing Willis' work. And he should know, as Willis is a regular touring member in two of his bands. The two recently collaborated with Becca Stevens and Michael League (Snarky Puppy) to create a new album of original music, composed by all, released in 2018 on BMG.

Since See Us Through came out, Michelle has been on a non-stop touring schedule with Crosby, Becca Stevens, and her own band. When she's not on the road, you can catch her performing on the Last Monday of every month in New York City at Rockwood Music Hall.

PHOTOS
All photos by Jen Squires
(Right Click on Image + Select Download Linked File)

PRESS & QUOTES

“Sounds like God on a good day” David Crosby, Crosby Stills & Nash
"...An immediate spell-caster." Roots Music Report
"Got sultry? Michelle Willis has plenty to go around, check her out"
James Williamson, Iggy & the Stooges
"Willis has the rare ability to place you directly into the music by connecting with you on an emotional level."
Kerry Martin, Producer of q, CBC Radio
"envelopes you in warmth and beauty....sweeping powerful vocals that can stop you in your tracks and move you to tears."
Lee Fraser, Cashbox Canada Magazine
"Her pristine vocals are gently haunting and her songwriting is strikingly accomplished and eloquently poetic"
Kerry Doole, Exclaim! Magazine

"The music is wistful, melancholic and invites introspection. Michelle's dulcet tones are the star of the show."
Errol Nazareth, host of CBC Radio's Big City Small World
“Wholly assured, charismatic and enviably talented, the golden-voiced Willis launched into fantastic renditions of her originals... She's clearly set for big things.”
Hidzir Junaini, Bandwagon SG, Singapore (June 2016)
“The whole show was a sea of positive energy and adoration.”
Lee Fraser, Cashbox Canada Magazine, Canada (May 2016)
"Willis has power, she has range, she has gorgeous tone and the ability to pack a lot of emotion into even the smallest moment in time."
Doug Gallant, The Guardian