Detailed Biography
Brief Bio
Singer/Songwriter, Niccole Blaze and bassist/vocalist, Mo Kelly entertain audiences of all ages with genuine charm and a burning passion for music. “Blaze and Kelly’s” powerful vocal harmonies, dynamic stage presence, and beautifully crafted songs allow for unique connection with their audience and set them apart from the rest. Folk/Rock in style, they bring a light-hearted energy to every show.
Their most recent album titled “The Sun Runs” shows off the mileage and wisdom these women have covered in their journey of music and life. Their production is pure, close up and personal, and captures the essence of “Blaze and Kelly.”
Touring nationally for 15 years, they’ve opened for Crosby, Stills, and Nash; Shawn Colvin; the Weepies, and Olivia Newton-John, among others. They have 8 CD's of original work, and a full performance DVD showing off their unique style and charisma on stage. They also offer outreach programs to inspire youth and create enthusiasm for the Arts!
History
Blaze and Kelly are a female duet based out of Boise, Idaho. Niccole Blaze plays acoustic rhythm & lead guitar, harmonica, and sings with a powerful, soulful voice that has extensive range. Mo Kelly plays a 5 string fretless, electric bass and sings beautiful harmonies with an angelic “ethereal” voice.
Blaze is originally from New Jersey, and grew up with influences ranging from “the Boss” (Bruce Springsteen), Bonnie Raitt, the Indigo Girls and virtually all the great music from the 60-80’s. She recieved her BA in teaching, taught for over 10 years before her music career, and attended Berklee College of Music to attain her professional guitar certification. She dedicates her time to teaching guitar to many enthusiastic youths and adults.
Mo Kelly is originally from California, and grew up with influences ranging from alternative bands, like the Ramones, and Sex Pistols to the Indigo Girls, Sarah McLachlan, and Eva Cassidy. She received her MA in psychology and was a counselor for over 10 years before her music career. She naturally gravitated to the bass with her street smart attitude and learned by dedicating herself playing 5-6 times each week in the early days of Blaze and Kelly.
Style & Genre:
Their original music spans all genres, but they can best be described as indie-folk-rock, and country-blues. Percussive acoustics to sweet finger styles, with occasional harmonica stretches their niche to Americana and Blue Grass.
Born only a year apart, they gel with camaraderie that allows them to laugh at their love for all the great music from the 70’s and 80’s and break out a nostalgic medley of those reminiscent tunes.
With giggly posture and playful expressions, you can see them tease one another on stage from time to time, in between the beautiful works of their own original music.
Blaze and Kelly Touring History 2012-2016:
(not a full portfolio)
These artists tour the Northwest region and East Coast, performing 175 times a year, with more than 50 shows nationally every year.
2012:
Roots Music Festival, San Diego, California.
Sandpoint Music Festival, Sandpoint, Idaho.
Northern Rockies Folk Festival, Sun Valley, Idaho
Grand Targhee Music Festival, Alta, Wyoming.
Tumbleweed Music Festival, Richmond, Washington.
Southwest Montana Arts Council Summer Concerts, Dillon, MT.
Judith Arts Commission, Summer Concert Series, Utica, MT.
Opening act for Toni Childs Tour: Grand Jensen Concert Hall, Pocatello, ID; Sun Valley Performing Arts Center, Sun Valley, ID; Spectrum Theater, Boise, ID.
Interviewed and performed on KPOV Radio, Bend; KRCC radio, Eugene, OR. and KRFY radio, Sandpoint, ID while on tour.
Stillpoint Music Festival, Eugene, Oregon.
Sue Komen Annual Race for the Cure, Autzan Stadium. Eugene, Oregon.
Salmon River Music Festival, Stanley, Idaho.
Juried Showcase Artists for Arts Northwest Booking Conference, Boise, ID. Also facilitated artist’s workshops during the conference.
Lincoln City Cultural Center, Lincoln City, OR.
Thousand Springs Festival, Hagerman, ID.
Opening Ceremonies for the Special Olympics, Boise, ID.
2013:
UU Meeting House, Provincetown, Massachusetts.
Lancaster Hotel Summer Concert Series, Lancaster, MA.
House Concerts: New Jersey and Rehoboth Beach, DE.
Bend Roots Revival Festival, Bend, Oregon.
House Concerts in Sisters, Eugene, Lincoln City, and Bend, Oregon. Tahoe and San Francisco, CA. and Seattle, WA.
Performed for a requested Backstage Audition on “America’s Got Talent” while talent-searching Idaho.
1/2013 Purple Carrots Artist Collaborative CD release;
Sold out, self-produced CD release concerts. Sapphire Room, Boise, ID.
4/2013 DVD recording of live performance at the Sapphire Room.
10/13 Panida Theatre concert and outreach program Sandpoint ID
Esalan Songwriters Workshop, Big Sur CA
2014:
Northwest Folklife Music Festival, Seattle, Washington.
Juan De Fuca Festival of the Arts, Port Angeles, WA.
10/14 Panida Theatre Request Return Artist of the year!
Center for Spiritual Living – Tahoe, CA.
Canyon Crest Events Center, Twin Falls, Idaho
Arts and Crafts Festival, Ketchum, ID.
2015:
Rudy’s piano bar House Concert, Lincoln City OR.
Juan De Fuca Festival of the Arts, Port Angeles, WA.
Clubhouse Concert Series (House Concert) Mt. Vernon, WA.
Redfish Lake Lodge “Music in Stanley” concert series - Stanley, ID.
Center for Spiritual Living – Tahoe, CA.
Big Sky 40th Annual Conference. September, Big Sky, MT.
Tomelope Summer Concert Series, Bend, OR.
2016:
Mid-Columbia Community Concert Association. The Dalles, OR.
Rudy’s Piano Bar House Concert –Requested Return Artist LincolnCity OR
Patti McGlough’s House Concert Series, Newport, WA.
Water Music Festival, Longbeach, Washington.
Unity Church, Rehobeth Beach, Delware.
House Concerts, New Jersey
4/2016 “Keep Facing the Sun” pre-CD release concert
10/2016 “Elevate 208” Women’s Concert Series
10/16 Arts NW workshop facilitator, Spokane WA.
10/16 Little Panida Theater Concert, Sandpoint ID.
11/2016 “The Sun Runs” CD release concert
Accolades & Artists with whom they’ve shared the stage:
David Wilcox, The Egyptian Theater, Boise, ID.
The Green Cards, Northern Rockies Folk Festival Hailey ID
The Subdudes, Northern Rockies Folk Festival Hailey ID
The Weepies, (UK), The Blues Bouquet, Boise, ID.
Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Riverside Pavillion, Eagle, ID.
Olivia Newton-John, The Riverside Pavillion, Eagle, ID.
Shawn Colvin, The Sandpoint Festival of Music, Sandpoint, ID
Toni Childs, Grand Jensen Concert Hall, Pocatello, ID.
Eric Hutchinson, The Kitting Factory, Boise, ID.
Cris Williamson, Moab UT& Provincetown MA.
Nina Gerber & Beth Pederson, Sandpoint ID
Rosalie Sorrels, Idaho City, ID
“I listened to the song, ‘Life is Beautiful’ 728 times…it kept me from taking my life!” -LF (many fans write to B&K saying that their music “saved their life”, “got them through a hard time” [divorce, death] or touched them in a very deep and profound way and Blaze ane Kelly are humbled for every message received!)