Kelly, Jo Ann (1944–1990)
Kelly, Jo Ann (1944–1990)
English jazz singer and guitarist. Born Jan 5, 1944, in Streatham, London, England; died Oct 21, 1990, in England; sister of Dave Kelly (jazz/blues musician).
Blues singer with powerful, emotional voice, made 1st limited edition record with Tony McPhee(1964), later joining forces with Tony McPhee's Groundhogs band; gained recognition with National Blues Federation Convention (1968); became major player on British blues circuit, recording with John Dummer Blues Band, Chilli Willi and the Red Hot Peppers, and Stefan Grossman; recorded album with Woody Mann, John Miller and John Fahey (1972) and then formed group called Spare Rib; was interpreter of works by American blues singer Robert Johnson; helped found The Blues Band (1979), along with brother David Kelly and Bob Brunning, and staged Ladies and the Blues which paid tribute to female blues heros (early 1980s); diagnosed with brain tumor (1988); gave final performance at festival in Lancashire (Aug 1990), receiving British Blues Federation's Female Singer of the Year award. Recorded works include Blues & Gospel (1964), Jo-Ann Kelly (1999), Jo Ann Kelly with J. Fahey, W. Mann & A. Seidler (2002) and Black Rat Swing (2003).