Julie Michels v
Kevin Barrett gtr

Julie Michels will be on our Youtube channel in the scope of 24th International Ankara Jazz Festival…

Julie Michels, a successful jazz vocalist born in New Jersey, grew up crossing between Europe and USA and eventually settled in Canada. These travels not only saw different cities but also added different cultures and styles of music. Successful vocalist and her guitarist Kevin Barrett will be with you on our Youtube channel at the festival. We appreciate Redwood Entertainment for their precious support.
Julie Michels was born in New Jersey and was brought up in Europe and throughout the U.S.A. before starting high school in Toronto, Canada. Her travels instilled a wanderlust not only for countries, but of cultures and musical genres that helped to mold her career in music. She will record her next album in New York a re-interpretation of the songs of Lyle Lovett produced by the Grammy Award nominated Mark Ruffin. Julie attended the University of Wisconsin in Madison and receive a Bachelor of Political Science degree with a minor in Macro Economics. She also studied Jazz with the bassist, Richard Davis. Upon graduation Julie traveled to Scotland where she worked as a singer for six months. The following year she performed at jazz clubs throughout Europe including the Jazz Vortex in London, the Cafe Gorilla in Paris, and the Jazz Cafe in Zeist. She performed in Germany, Italy and Holland as well as the Glasgow Music Festival and the Bridgeport Music Festival, the Aaran Musical Festival on the Isle of Aaran, the North Sea Jazz Festival and Utrecht Festival in Holland. The last few years have found Julie focused on North American venues and festivals including Toronto Jazz Festival, Ottawa Jazz Festival, Merrickville Jazz Festival, Haitian International Jazz Festival, and stages throughout Canada and the United States. In 2017 she performed in Egypt at the Jazz Tales Festival in Cairo and in 2018 she performed in Alexandria with the Cairo Symphony Orchestra. Julie has performed, toured and recorded with Kevin Barrett, George Koller, Ottawa's Chelsea Bridge, the Metropolitain Community Church of Toronto Choir (MCCT, Diane Leah, Musical Director) and her own bands, Sutra and Parlay. As well as the Chicago Free Jazz Movement’s Kahil El’Zabar, Ernest Dawkins, the legendary BeBop Musician Dougie Richardson, composer and pianist Nancy Walker, pianist and composer Adrean Farrugia, Grammy Award winner Joe Sealy, pianist and composer Robie Botos, drummer Larnell Lewis, pianist and composer the late Archie Alleyne, Indian tablah player Ratech Das, Columbian percussionist Chendy Leon, pianist and composer Gordon Webster, and the legendary Bob Fenton. Julie's latest projects include the Braden/Michels Jazz Project with saxophonist Don Braden and pianist and arranger, David Restivo. Julie is a member of Broadsway with fellow vocalists, Heather Bambrick and Diane Leah. She has also worked with Decidedly Jazz Danceworks, the Toronto Tabla Ensemble, the Ancient Voices Project, the Madison Celtic Renaissance Consort and the Blackhawk Stringband and JazzWorks Jazz Camp. In 2012, Julie played a major role in the filming of "Amazing Voice”, Japan’s national television documentary about the diverse face of Canadian music.

Kevin Barrett is a guitarist, producer, musical director and composer based in Toronto, Canada. Kevin has been a freelance guitarist in Toronto for more than 30 years. He performs as a band leader, side musician and musical director at jazz festivals, clubs and concert venues across the country and internationally, while maintaining a continuous presence on the Toronto scene. Kevin is known as a passionate soloist, a first-rate accompanist, and a versatile and creative side musician. As well as leading his own Group, Kevin has worked with some of the finest performers on the Canadian music scene – Patricia Cano, Molly Johnson, Louis Simão, Lillian Allen, Kellylee Evans, Julie Michels, Big Rude Jake and the Stratford Festival. Kevin has been Musical Director for Ron Davis’ symphRONica, Daniela Nardi’s ESPRESSO MANIFESTO and Arts4All Creative Society. His recording credits include guitar work for Daniela Nardi, Ron Davis, Adi Braun, Paisley Jura, Kira Callaghan, DK Ibomeka, and Jay Boehmer. Through kevinbarrettgroup Productions he has produced recordings with the SPECIAL INTEREST group, Julie Michels, Jacob Langer, Melissa Boyce, Lisa Lindo and Faustwork Mask Theatre. Kevin maintains a busy recording and teaching studio in Toronto’s Kensington Market.