She Writes Songs

This evening at Wendi Kirby’s Monterey venue offers a collaborative celebration of song, sound, and storytelling. Presented by She Writes Songs in partnership with the Just Jazz Foundation, the program brings together internationally acclaimed artists and distinctive local voices in an intimate setting designed for deep listening and creative exchange.

Sarah Gillespie/Wendi Kirby/Anne Sibley/Joanna Finnis/HOLYSEA

Like Dylan on amphetamines. The Times ★★★★

Haunting tunes and striking lyrics… yearningly pretty and bittersweet. The Independent ★★★★★

Anglo-American singer-songwriter Sarah Gillespie is renowned for mixing elements of folk, jazz, and Americana with her signature poetic lyricism. Over the past 15 years, Gillespie has released five critically acclaimed albums to widespread praise from the UK press and beyond and toured extensively across the UK, Europe, and the US. A charismatic live performer, published poet and articulate commentator, Gillespie has appeared on leading BBC Arts shows where she was invited to speak about the intersection of politics and the arts. (She holds an MA in Philosophy and Politics.)

During the global lockdown, Gillespie founded the Create Now Academy, delivering transformative songwriting and creativity programmes to women around the world. Through her label Pastiche Records, she and her team have produced and released several acclaimed albums and EPs internationally. She is also the co-founder of She Writes Songs, a non-profit organisation championing female songwriters.

Local Carmel singer/songwriter and pianist Storey Smith will join for special song.

www.sarahgillespie.com

Wendi Kirby

Wendi Kirby’s music is refined, evocative instrumental piano-based composition thatblends elements of contemporary classical and chamber textures with subtle jazz and ensemble colours. Her albums, Bloom and Wings, present richly lyrical instrumental vignettes - often inspired by personal themes like metamorphosis and nature where melodic piano lines flow over delicate harmonies, creating an immersive, contemplative aesthetic.

www.wendikirby.com

Anne Sibley

Singer/Songwriter/Coach

https://www.annesibley.com/about

Joanna Finnis

Joanna Finnis is a songwriter and recording artist whose work spans piano, pop, and musical theatre. An experienced lead vocalist for several bands and a music educator, she writes and produces her own material, taking songs from demo to a fully produced, radio-ready releases while collaborating with producers, composers, and fellow songwriters. Her passion for music has led to performances at notable venues, including singing the National Anthem for the San Francisco Giants, and her album BOUNCE was submitted for consideration in the GRAMMY Awards process.

https://www.joannafinnis.com/

HOLYSEA

HOLYSEA is the artist project of ASCAP award winning singer/songwriter Rachael Chloe Williams.

Her fairy-folk/mermaid-pop sound comes through a clear channel, inspired by a sensitive heart, a ceaseless exploration of the human experience, & the ebb/flow of the Pacific ocean which has been the soundtrack to her life.

A born philosopher and a curious cat, Rachael has lived many lives. She has had careers ranging from a tidepool research specialist, to belly dancer, to acupuncturist, to corporate jazz singer. She has been a gold star lesbian, and is now married to a man. She was vegan for 7 years and then switched to a marrow-on-toast paleo person. She used to have 9 piercings and now has 2. Tattoo's are hidden, but still there.

Experience has shown her that the value in leading an experimental life comes when you get to share gained insight with others. Took her 30 years to remember who she is: a singer and a songwriter at her core. HOLYSEA's compositions are patch-work quilts of her scars and imperfect mis-steps + personal victories. Her intention is that this magical fabric can cover and comfort the listener with the knowing that they’re not alone, that they’re loved, and that it’s never too late to find and follow their truth.

From intimate house-concerts to festival stages, Holysea taps into and sings from her heart, the Holy Sea within. This is her gift and, as Pablo Picasso said, “the meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.”

https://holysea.love/

PLEASE NOTE THAT DUE TO THE HISTORIC NATURE OF THE BUILDING, IT IS ONLY ACCESSIBLE BY STAIRS.

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Host or Publisher Wendi Kirby Music LLC