2019 kootenay music awards recipient

best rhythm and blues song

Short Bio

Holly is a West Kootenay based singer, songwriter and bass player. She grew up in a musical family and has been getting up on stage since she was six years old. She released her debut solo album “Wild Heart” in the spring of 2019, the album has been receiving international airplay and rave reviews from the blues community. It reached #2 on the Roots Music Report, Soul Blues charts, and has appeared on the RMR Canadian Blues Charts top 50 and the Earshot charts.  “Wild Heart” is a full band production - complete with horns and organic sounding keyboards - that showcases Holly’s highly evolved songwriting skills and incredibly soulful but smooth vocal abilities, “there’s a confidence and an assurance of her craft in “Wild Heart” that testifies: "This is an artist who has arrived at the peak of her powers” Art Joyce. In the fall of 2018 she released her Memphis Soul tinged single “River Flows” with an accompanying music video. “River Flows” has received rave reviews from the music community and radio airplay on CBC. In March 2019 “River Flows” won Best Rhythm and Blues Song at the Kootenay Music Awards. She has previously released three blues and roots albums, as part of the duo Holly and Jon. Their 2016 release "Shufflin The Blues" reached #1 on the Roots Music Report, Acoustic Blues charts. Their 2013 release 1929, was included in the top 10 best Canadian blues albums of 2012.

Holly has performed at the Kaslo Jazz Festival, Unity Music Festival, Central Music Festival, Starbelly Jam, Idlewild Festival, Arts Wells, Arts On The Edge, Whatshan Lake Festival, appeared on a nationally televised concert and performed with a big band on the steps of the parliament building in Victoria BC. She has opened for Leon Russell, Sue Foley, The Golden State Lonestar Revue, JW Jones, Sonny Rhodes and appeared on shows with fellow Canadian artist's such as Colin James, Jeff Healey, Harry Manx, and international legends like Los Lobos and David “Fathead” Newman.

 Holly is currently touring with her four piece band, consisting of Hyatt-vocals & bass, Jon Burden-guitars, Jack Taforo-keys/Brandon Smith-keys,  and Steve Wilson-drums. Her live show has been described as "soulful, funky, fun danceable blues!" and "a dynamic live show that leaves the listener feeling uplifted and inspired!"

Wild Heart has groove and soul by the bucket load, as refreshing as jumping in the Kootenay River on a hot summer day.”

the Rock Doctor

Press

"This is a lady with a truly touching voice and a five-piece support band that rolls along delivering pure pleasure."  Elmore Magazine

"Solid, original blue eyed soul, with a little effort you could picture her as Bonnie's little sister---Bonnie Bramlett that is. Solid throughout." Midwest Record

"Not only is Hyatt a singer with a Bonnie Raitt-style vocal range, she is a monster bassist as her playing throughout the album proves. Here’s hoping the Nelson-based artist turns up on a festival stage nearby soon.The Vancouver Sun

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