Kelle Jolly is staple in the Knoxville music scene and beyond. She has been singing jazz for over 25 years. Invigorated by her burgeoning singing career in Chattanooga after college, she later moved to Knoxville and became heavily involved with the local music scene, as well as with the Carpetbag Theatre. There she portrayed blues legends Leola Manning and Ida Cox and became intimately aware of the enormous impact Black women had on blues music in Appalachia. Leola Manning was one of the only Black women included in the influential St. James Hotel recording sessions in 1929. Kelle describes the significance of Manning’s legacy and the history of blues in East Tennessee, “Her recordings are valued by collectors all over the world. Her story is an example of how the contributions of Black women are often overlooked and undervalued. East Tennessee is a region that is known for country and bluegrass. The contributions to the blues genre are often left out of the conversation because it does not fit into the image that is portrayed by the region. It is important to acknowledge these women composers.” She goes on to explain, “I benefited from exposure through theater. That exposure showed me that I was part of a tradition. It helped me find my voice as an artist. I have used the blues style and form to compose music that documents the moments of my life, like a photograph.”
Kelle’s own songwriting journey has been heavily influenced by the blues songwriting of Manning and Cox. She explains, “I believe the blues is the truth. The music of blues women from Appalachia can teach people this fact.” Kelle has shared her music, and the music of Black blues artists, far and wide at festivals, workshops, and demonstrations. She preserves and promotes this legacy at festivals around Knoxville, such as Knoxville Stomp, a celebration of the Knoxville St. James Hotel Recording Sessions; Louie Bluie; Jubilee Community Arts; and Rock to Bach. She has also performed the blues at the Knoxville Museum of Art, Dollywood, and workshops for youth.
Kelle first met singer Nayeema Hoffman while working as a mentor for Knoxville Girls Rock. Kelle is excited to provide artistic support and mentorship. Kelle explains, “I want to share my relationship with the blues. I use the blues singing for telling my story with my own voice. Blues singing can be empowering. I want Nayeema to know that blues songwriting can fuel their career.” As part of the Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Program this year, Kelle plans to teach Nayeema the blues singing tradition inspired by Black women composers from Appalachia like Leola Manning of Knoxville, Bessie Smith of Chattanooga, and Ida Cox of Toccoa, GA. They will explore the history and themes that impacted these composers and will analyze the 12-bar blues forms found in early blues songs. In addition, Kelle explains, “We will build new repertoire of blues songs from the 20th century that will be played on ukulele. Original music will be composed and performed based on the examples and characteristics found in the blues music of Black women from Appalachia.”
A self-taught musician from a young age, Nayeema is eager to do a deep dive into the music of Black Appalachian songwriters, saying, “I’m very eager to learn about blues music and how that pertains to black people, especially black femmes in the south…Honestly, very few people I personally know besides Kelle practice blues, but I know it’s an issue pertaining to lack of knowledge/interests, lack of resources, and lack of representation. This is a huge reason why I’m very excited to experience this apprenticeship with Kelle, as my songwriting is already heavily influenced by the concept of blues.”
Nayeema’s own experience as a Black American is part of the complex tapestry that the blues can represent. Their family moved to the States in 1980 from Liberia due to the coup d’état. Nayeema explains, “It’s very important for me to preserve, pass on, and continue to learn about this art because of how much has been taken from us as Black people. My family here, my family back home, my ancestors and black communities’ all over. It’s important, especially in songwriting, poetry, and storytelling that we allow Black people of all ages to express how they feel.” Nayeema and Kelle plan to present their work together on Knoxville’s own WDVX radio and at several local performances. Nayeema will also pass on what they learn to young people at the music camp, Knoxville Girls Rock: “I plan to use everything Kelle has taught me and my experience as a younger person to help the kids at camp round out their craft, and also the opportunity to experience something they may not have had access to before.”
*This team is funded through a special partnership with the South Arts’ initiative In These Mountains: Central Appalachian Folk Art & Culture.
