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We acknowledge the support of the Canada Council for the Arts.
Nous remercions le Conseil des arts du Canada de son soutien.
With influences from her African heritage, la chanson française, and American gospel, Kelly Bado’s music is an intoxicating blend of Soul, World, and Pop.
With influences from her African heritage, la chanson française, and American gospel, Kelly Bado’s music is an intoxicating blend of Soul, World, and Pop. This Francophone and Global Artist of the Year (Western Canadian Music Awards – 2021) crosses cultural barriers to bring people together in joy and hope. Through her lyrics inspired by love and people, Kelly is committed to building an inclusive world where we come together as citizens of this vast global village that is Earth, each bringing their unique strengths to life’s common experience.
Kelly presents a warm and rhythmic show inspired by her latest album Hey Terre, which seeks to connect with experiences that all human beings share, regardless of country, language or skin colour.
Extended Bio:
It all started in 2013, when Kelly won first place at the Découvertes franco-manitobaines, then at Chant’Ouest and finished in the Top 5 of the final at the Festival international de la chanson de Granby. The first black singer-songwriter to lead Manitoba this far, after several years. These recognitions launched her career and allowed her to release her first recording in French entitled “Entre deux”. To crown her efforts, Kelly was awarded World Music Artist of the Year at the 2018 Canadian Western Music Award! After many shows over the past few years, Kelly made it to the quarter-finals of La Voix 6 in Quebec. Her duet performance of the song Let it be with Yama Laurent, was the best number of all the seasons combined of the television show. 1 million views on youtube and a never-before-seen comment from Sir Paul McCartney: “SENSATIONAL! What a fabulous, emotional and inspiring performance”. Over the years, important connections have been made with influential women in the music industry and mentors like Laurence Jalbert, Nanette Workman, Edith Butler, Luce Dufault, Vivian Barclay and many more. Kelly has notably shared the stage at Canada’s 150th Celebrations with international artists such as Alessia Cara, Walk Off the Earth and Serena Ryder. Kelly has also participated in several national and international showcases which have allowed her to forge great connections here and elsewhere. Kelly has just received the Francophone Artist and Global Artist of the Year awards at the Canadian Western Music Award 2021, for her album Hey Terre. The Hey Terre album seeks to connect to the reality that all human beings share, regardless of country, language or skin color. After all, the Earth is like a vast village and we are all its citizens.