Local Artist Spotlight | Ellen C Kaye - Entertainer, Musician, Producer and Writer
Last December, I had the honor and pleasure of spending some time photographing Entertainer, Musician, Producer and Writer Ellen C Kaye. Over the last year, she has been busy with many projects and I thought it would be fun to get to know her a little better with a quick interview and to share what she is currently working on. I love going to see live music and had the chance to see her perform a few months ago and had such a fun night out! If you want to keep up to date with Ellen, you can find her contact information at the end of the interview.
Hair and Makeup by Jacqueline Hoffman - Comb Salon, Goshen, NY
What first got you into music?
My Mom and Dad played Tony Bennett, Louis Armstrong, Judy Garland, Frank Sinatra, Pearl Bailey, Fred Astaire, Joao Gilberto, Astrid Gilberto, and Antonius Carlos Jobim all the time. To name a few. Music was a part of our day to day life.
We lived across the street from Carnegie Hall so I got to see Judy Collins, Stephen Stills and lots of artists there. My uncle was an opera singer, Jan Peerce, and I grew up with his live performances which were thrilling. And when I got older I listened to the radio and fell in love with the Stylistics, Steely Dan, Aretha Franklin, Stevie Wonder, Betty Wright, Jackson Browne, and on and on.
Where is the favorite place that you have performed?
I love playing when it’s packed and people are there to really hear the music. I had my own live music venue in NYC with my partners, Moscow 57, and I loved playing there. The Metropolitan Room was a great room, I miss it. And Iridium Jazz Club is one of my current favorites.
What is your favorite song to perform?
That’s a tough one. But I guess my favorite is always the newest tune I’m working on. Right now the song is Renegade, an original tune I wrote recently with my music partner Ethan Fein. I love performing it.
Which musicians do you admire?
Bonnie Raitt since I was sixteen. Tom Waits. Dinah Wasington. Annie Lennox. Billie Holiday. Dolly Parton. Pistol Annies. Ashley Monroe. Kacey Musgraves. And a ton more.
What community projects are you currently working on?
I’m working right now with my partners Alan Joseph and Ethan Fein on a few things.
Last spring I was introduced through Ms. G. Blaine, CA Internship Counselor, to the Chester Academy Mentoring Program. In September we began mentoring a few very talented students from Chester Academy. Together we’ve created a student podcast series called Sapphire Wire (https://sapphirewireproduc.
What creative project are you currently working on?
We are working on Phoenix Rising which is a project that has a few components: a musical theater piece in development with an original score, a multi-media show with a diverse company, and a podcast series.
It started out as my autobiographical story and now it’s expanding into an historical journey exploring my ancestors and the history that surrounds their stories.
We’ve just discovered that some of my maternal ancestors arrived in 1635 on one of the first Puritan ships that came to America. We are researching the history of military service as well and so far we have found that we are descended from people who served in almost every war America has been engaged in from the Revolutionary War ‘til now. In early spring we are bringing part of our Phoenix Rising project to North Carolina where some of our story takes place.
Where can people find you performing next?
This Saturday, December 28th we’re going to be at Quinnz Pinz raising awareness for the Middletown Warming Station. Bowling and live music with local artists. We’ll have a full band with our music director Ethan Fein on guitar and banjo. Bowling from 5-7pm. Live music from 7-9pm. I’m looking forward to it!
Please click here for our facebook event page: https://www.facebook.com/
How can people find you?
To check out where I’m performing next, our podcasts, our cd’s, and the projects I’m currently working on please click on the links below:
My website: www.ellenckaye.com
Instagram: @ellenckaye
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ellenckaye
And if you’d like to get information about our future performances and projects, please email us at [email protected] and we will add you to our mailing list.
Are you thinking about booking a commercial or business head shot session? Contact me today to set up your session!!
xo
Sally Sosler Photography is a natural light on-location lifestyle and portrait photographer serving Orange County, New York and the surrounding areas. Sally Sosler Photography specializes in newborn, maternity, children and family sessions. Please "like" Sally Sosler Photography on Facebook.