Known to blues lovers the around the world as "Evil Gal" and acknowledged by aficionados of Jazz and Blues as a passionate and gifted performer, bandleader and songwriter, Michelle Willson has recorded and released 4 critically acclaimed albums for Rounder/ Bullseye Records.
Before signing with Rounder, Michelle's group won a prestigious W.C. Handy award for best unsigned blues act as a result of their win at the Blues Foundation's International Blues competition and Michelle was later nominated for a (best female blues vocal) Handy alongside Etta James and Koko Taylor.
Michelle and her group have performed at countless festivals, nightclubs and juke joints in 18 countries and logged more frequent flier miles than they will ever be able to use.
They also know the location of almost every rest stop on Rt. 90 from Boston to Seattle, that it takes 22 hours to get from Kansas City to Boston, if you only stop for absolute emergencies and Norway has the most and the best Hammond B-3 organs available for rent.
Michelle's music is regularly played on blues radio and internet programs all around the globe and her original music has been featured in the HBO series "Mind of the Married Man", as well as on the 2008 House of Blues compilation album "Essential Women in the Blues."
Michelle's performances and recordings have received rave reviews from such respected sources as The Washington Post, The New York Times, The Boston Globe, Downbeat, The Japan Times, GQ, Jazz Times and Living Blues, in addition to various other publications from many different countries.
Ace organist and producer Ron Levy, who began his music career playing with BB King and Albert Collins while still a teenager, produced Michelle's first 2 albums, "Evil Gal Blues" and "So Emotional."
Scott Billington, who has worked with blues legends such as Ruth Brown, Johnny Adams, Irma Thomas and James Booker, produced "Tryin' to Make a Little Love", which was done in New Orleans at Ultrasonic Studios, where Michelle recorded the original version of one of the last tunes written by Dr. John and Doc Pomus, "Responsibility."
Michelle's 4th cd, "Wake Up Call" received a Boston Music Award for outstanding blues cd.
Currently at work on her first new recording in 8 years, Michelle is co-producing this project with Carl Querfurth, former Roomful of Blues trombonist.
Michelle hosts 2 weekly programs on Worcester's NPR station, WICN.
"Voices of Jazz"(Friday 10AM-1PM ) and "Jazz n' Blue" ( Sat. 4-7PM. ) http://www.wicn.org
Her amazing voice, intense, engaging style, her vast knowledge of and passion for Rhythm & Blues music combined with years of experience as a road warrior in the music business add up to a unique show!
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