Well I like to sing, Ever since I was a little girl growing up in Northern Ireland I always knew that I didnt want to do anything else. At the age of 10 my Mum, Sister and I moved across to Leeds in the North of England and I got to work hassling my Mum to send me to singing lessons.
Aged 16 I started to get involved on the studio session scene singing mostly house music. Now that was a great time, driving across to the Hacienda, dancing like my life depended on it in The Warehouse and Rickys, ah happy days! At 20 I was signed up in a record deal singing dance music with my good friend Paul Ross, that deal didnt work out and I found myself at a cross roads, after some soul searching I decided I didnt want to hang around DJs in nightclubs trying to get them to listen to my demos. I had discovered a love for jazz and wanted to learn about the music and how to become a musician. I started sitting in with jazz musicians which lead to getting my own gigs. I then embarked on a journey into my jazz education at Leeds College of Music, and The Kelly Dickson Quintet started to gig more and more frequently on the northern jazz circuit. In 2000 I relocated to London and graduated with a degree in Jazz Studies from Middlesex University in 2002. I was always gigging throughout my time at Middlesex Uni and I soon became established singer in the capital.
In 2003 I travelled to New York and recorded my jazz debut album "Vocal Point" (Lady K Records). I was lucky enough to get some of
New York's finest to play on it: Gene Perla, John Riley, Tim Harrison and renowned saxophonist George Garzone. We recorded 7 tracks in New York and pianist Nikki Iles accompanied me on two more tracks recorded later in London.
Now Ive always had a strong addiction for funk and while I was trying to get some jazz chops together Id also be out playing with my funk band Mamafeelgood. In 2005, while doing a funk gig I was spotted singing by the lovely drummer Steve White, he was doing a gig with the Players at the same venue. I then met up with the Players and they asked me to record and perform with them. How could I refuse?! This band is an authentic funk / soul outfit consisting of three of Britains most prolific session musicians, Steve White, Damon Minchella and Mick Talbot. I went on to write and record on their second album "From the Six Corners", (Sanctuary Records) and we were also joined by The Papenfus brothers Ken and Carl. There is talk of a third ‘Players’ album and at the minute I'm doing a Players set with Trio Valore on their UK dates.
I returned back to New York in January 2007 with Norwegian guitarist Werner Kristiansen and recorded a second jazz album called Doodlin’ this again heavily features George Garzone, we were also joined by Pete Zimmer and Jeff Pedraz for this recording. (The album has just gone on sale on www.jazzcds.co.uk). Werner and I also have a nu soul band called Jacôby, we recorded an EP called ‘6 Ways’ which featured Mick Talbot in October 06 and are currently working on material for the ‘Jacôby’ debut album.
I've also worked closely with Corrine Bailey Rae and also did some BV's for Gwen Stefani last year for her UK television dates.
Kel x
