Michelle Willson
Michelle “Evil Gal” Willson
A writer in the respected Allmusic.com once put it this way: "Her singing is like a strong cup of Joe -- it beelines to the gut and jolts the system."
And that's putting it mildly.
Michelle’s music is regularly played on blues radio and internet programs all around the globe and her original music was featured in the HBO series “Mind of the Married Man”, as well as on the 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.
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 is a force of nature -- an emotional ball of talent that inspires with her original songs but also takes you on a journey through what she calls "the lost music" of vintage soul/R&B legends like Dinah Washington, Ruth Brown and Etta James. Whether moaning a blues or joyously shouting a jump tune, Michelle and her band have the rare ability to make this music sound fresh and exciting, as well as timeless and classic.
Michelle has had a remarkable career. The Boston native made four albums with Bullseye/Rounder Records (Evil Gal Blues, So Emotional, Tryin’ to Make A Little Love, Wake Up Call) and has been nominated for the W.C. Handy Award for best blues vocalist. In 2013, she recorded a live album, Fortune Cookie, at world renowned jazz club Scullers in Boston. 2015 offered her the opportunity to sing with “Night Tripper” Dr. John at the Wilbur Theatre in Boston, MA. Michelle sang on 2 of Anthony Geraci’s recordings, including the title track to 50 Shades of Blue with legendary singer Sugar Ray Norcia, which was nominated for record of the year and song of the year at the Blues Foundation’s Handy Awards in 2016. She was featured on two of guitarist Duke Robillard’s recent releases, Blues Bash and They Called it Rhythm and Blues. Michelle has toured all over the world, recently performing in Switzerland and in Norway, where she played at a festival in Svalbard, one of the most northernmost settlements on the globe!
Michelle is host of a popular and eclectic weekday morning music program - Morning Vibe Time – (M-F 6-9am) at NPR affiliate radio station, 90.5 WICN in Worcester, MA. She also acts as the station’s production manager and window decorator. wicn.org
A writer in the respected Allmusic.com once put it this way: "Her singing is like a strong cup of Joe -- it beelines to the gut and jolts the system."
And that's putting it mildly.
Michelle’s music is regularly played on blues radio and internet programs all around the globe and her original music was featured in the HBO series “Mind of the Married Man”, as well as on the 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.
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 is a force of nature -- an emotional ball of talent that inspires with her original songs but also takes you on a journey through what she calls "the lost music" of vintage soul/R&B legends like Dinah Washington, Ruth Brown and Etta James. Whether moaning a blues or joyously shouting a jump tune, Michelle and her band have the rare ability to make this music sound fresh and exciting, as well as timeless and classic.
Michelle has had a remarkable career. The Boston native made four albums with Bullseye/Rounder Records (Evil Gal Blues, So Emotional, Tryin’ to Make A Little Love, Wake Up Call) and has been nominated for the W.C. Handy Award for best blues vocalist. In 2013, she recorded a live album, Fortune Cookie, at world renowned jazz club Scullers in Boston. 2015 offered her the opportunity to sing with “Night Tripper” Dr. John at the Wilbur Theatre in Boston, MA. Michelle sang on 2 of Anthony Geraci’s recordings, including the title track to 50 Shades of Blue with legendary singer Sugar Ray Norcia, which was nominated for record of the year and song of the year at the Blues Foundation’s Handy Awards in 2016. She was featured on two of guitarist Duke Robillard’s recent releases, Blues Bash and They Called it Rhythm and Blues. Michelle has toured all over the world, recently performing in Switzerland and in Norway, where she played at a festival in Svalbard, one of the most northernmost settlements on the globe!
Michelle is host of a popular and eclectic weekday morning music program - Morning Vibe Time – (M-F 6-9am) at NPR affiliate radio station, 90.5 WICN in Worcester, MA. She also acts as the station’s production manager and window decorator. wicn.org
