Music:
Member Since: 4/20/2006
Band Website: kimkalesti.com
Band Members:Kim Kalesti was born in Pueblo Colorado, June 29. She was blessed with a mother who adored listening to recordings of America’s greatest singers. A collection that became Kim’s first teachers, Edie Gorme, Sarah Vaughn and Nat King Cole were some of Kim’s vinyl mentors, memorizing sophisticated ballads like “If He Walked into My Life†and “Why Did I Choose You†she learned at an early age the power of singing.Performing on local television, radio, city productions and local talent competitions. By the time she was 16, Kim had already had 11 years experience performing and was discovered by United Artist’s where she opted to stay in school instead of going to Hollywood.Later moving to Houston, Texas in 1974 to attend “The High School For the Performing and Visual Arts†She later became known as Kim Shaw.Kim’s first tour was in Scandinavia in 1980 returning to the states she moved to New York City in 1982. Her first New York City week long engagement was at the famed Lush Life Club in Greenwich Village, the band was Kenny Barron, Al Foster, Gary Bartz, Eddie Gomez, Dave Leibman and Marion Cowings. In the audience there was Eartha Kitt, Milt Jackson, Clark Terry, Johnny Hartman, Abby Lincoln, Betty Carter, Jon Hendricks, Roy Eldridge, Major Holley amongst many others.From 1983 - 1997 her talents were appreciated by audiences at Avery Fischer Hall, Lincoln Center, The Blue Note’s New York and Japan, and festivals around the world such as North Sea and Pori Jazz and the ever so popular jazz cruises.Kim Kalesti is also noted for her education skills, writing and performing “art in education†programs for inner city schools in the NYC five buroughs entertaining thousands of children from ages 5 to 17 through the auspices of Lincoln Center “Meet The Artist†and Young Audiences, New York Chapter. In 1989 she along with Marion Cowings, Dr. Gilbert and Dr.Tom Boras created the vocal jazz department at New York University. Awarded a concert clinic grant from the National Endowment for the Arts.1991 broadened her fame to Japan where acclaimed Swing Journal editor - producer “Kyoshi “Boxman†Koyama discovered Kim and Marion to record two albums for the EmArcy/ Philips label. “Kim and Marion†and “If You Could See Me Nowâ€A charismatic performer with virtuostic vocal chops and beautiful timbre, she draws rave reviews and enthusiastic fan support wherever she performs.Kim Kalesti is master of her voice, always consistant, no matter where she is you can hear her impeccable timing and intonation, incredible technique, exquisite story telling, scatting and ability to create excitement, drawing you into her world.Her repretoire is comprised of the best jazz standards and is an accomplished song writer as well.While keeping her professional career Kim has raised two children tap dancer singer songwriter Alexander Cowings and her daughter, 2008 Grammy nominated Emily King for her album “East Side Storyâ€, J Records recording artist. Both are well on their way to successful careers in the music industry, carring on the “family buisness†of music and entertaining.Kim will be touring Europe this summer of 2008 with her new band Kimistry.
Influences:Alexander Cowings Ecofest New York City
Sounds Like: Kim Kaleti with John DiMartino Jan. 2, 2008 "Emily" Midtown at Midday Series St.Peters Church Jazz Ministry New York City
View kim kalesti and kimistry's EPK
Type of Label: Major
