Born and raised in the suburbs of Rochester, NY, Taylor Kelly is now a fixture in the vibrant Philadelphia music scene further honing her introspective take on jazz, soul, and funk. She combines her smooth, powerful, technically-informed voice with addictive hip hop and electronic beats, complex arrangements and, at times, a blazing horn section. Her sound is a dynamic blend of several established genres: she melds the improvisational looseness of jazz, the rhythmic earworms of funk, and the moving resonance of soul to carve out a niche all her own. Kelly names Stevie Wonder, Roy Hargrove, Erykah Badu and Emily King as influences, integrating strong melodic contour and intricate harmonies into lyrically personal and sonically anthemic tracks. 

Her EP, ‘The Spins’, released on July 19th on Head Bitch Music, is her most fully realized work to date. The 6-song collection was introduced with a pair of mesmerizing singles, “Take Me,” which LeFutureWave declared, “a musical spectacle, a highly textured landscape that exudes empowerment” and its follow-up, “Fit In,” with tastemaker outlet Earmilk applauding its “experimental twist” and her “gripping performance.”

A Berklee College of Music graduate (‘14), Kelly has released six albums/EPs and has shared the stage with St. Paul and the Broken Bones, Dirty Loops, Moonchild, Becca Stevens, Monophonics, Neal Francis and Giacomo Turra. She has amassed over 800k listens for her single “California” on streaming platforms worldwide while her singles “Maybe” (2021), “Let You Go” (2023) and “Take Me” (2024) were featured on Chicago’s Vocalo Radio (where she was also interviewed). Kelly released a Key Session recorded live at WXPN’s studios for NPR Music in April 2023 and then in June released an album entitled ‘Live in Philly’, which was recorded live at Brooklyn Bowl Philadelphia on December 30th of 2022 when she opened for St. Paul. Kelly has uplifted, inspired and energized thousands of ardent concertgoers at hundreds of live shows with her immersively freeing performance style. She has an unyielding, marrow-deep commitment to self-expression through music and continues to transfer this passion to her listeners with ‘The Spins’.

PRESS

“Kelly has the talent to be a star on the biggest stages.” - LeFutureWave

“This is an artist who not only thrives in the limelight but leaves the spaces she performs in—as well as the people who witness her—brighter and lighter than they were before.” - Grimy Goods

“Kelly’s artistry is undeniable; she clearly knows exactly what she wants to achieve, and she executes it  with remarkable precision and emotional depth.” - Neon Music

“True vocal magic and musical genius to boot, Taylor Kelly is a confessional singer for the ages whose  multitude of talents is breathtaking to behold.” - JW Vibe

“Kelly holds immense power with her voice – both delicate and mighty with each word sung… Many tracks and stories were born out of the madness of these past few years, but Kelly stands out.” - Atwood Magazine

“If you love postmodern old soul, Philly songstress Taylor Kelly is sure to pull at your heartstrings and get your feet moving.” - Music Mecca

“Her voice echoes that of Eryn Allen Kane, Lianne La Havas, or the indomitable Cecile McLorin Salvant, while her songwriting is all her own.” - WXPN

“If Erykah Badu and Beyoncé had a Neo Soul Jazz baby, you would probably end up with the lovely sounds of vocalist Taylor Kelly … The pure emotive passion that flows so effortlessly from Kelly’s voice truly hits you at the core of your soul.” - The Music Below