Biography

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Songwriter and singer Irene Kelley is combining her voice with those of her two daughters, Justyna and Sara Jean, to bring holiday cheer and raise funds for the Healing Gardens project created by Patio Records founder, philanthropist Terry Eagan. The Kelley Family Christmas album will be the 14th album released on Patio Records, available November 24th on CD and digitally on all platforms.

Growing up in Latrobe, PA, Irene learned early on that her voice could bring people together, especially at the holidays. “I sang ‘O Come, O Come, Emmanuel’ over the phone on a radio show in my hometown and won a Christmas tree when I was about 9 years old,” recalls Irene.

The Kelley Family Christmas album is familiar yet fresh. Its 12 tracks include each easy to identify Kelley singing lead on four songs, while the other two provide beautifully woven harmonies as only family can. “We all had our list of maybe 30 songs. We pared them down to the 12, making sure each of us appeared on an equal amount of songs,” explains Irene.

“'Silver Bells' was at the top of my list. Most people wouldn’t guess it, but jazz standards are my favorite genre of music to sing, and most classic Christmas songs are jazz standards,” Sara Jean explains.

Believing the album should be non-genre specific, the trio chose a piano-based approach to instrumentation. “Our musical arranger, Will Barrow, was a no-brainer for us,” Justyna says. “He has played music with us since my sister and I were kids. His musicianship and musical sensibilities are beyond compare. He and mom helped cast the right assortment of players, and it worked out magically.... It's really cool to work as a family. We all have different strengths and styles, but I think they blend together seamlessly on this project.”

The Kelleys also blend seamlessly together on the album cover, wearing celebrity designer and Project Runway All-Star Johnathan Kayne’s beautiful one-of-a-kind dresses. The “Red Carpet Designer of the South” had them visit his Nashville warehouse and select whatever they wanted. “We had a blast trying on those dresses,” says Irene. Kayne will also be styling the Kelleys for their album release concert on November 29th at The Bluebird Cafe in Nashville.