The Samples:
Best known for his high voice, unique guitar playing and songwriting (“Nature”, “Feel Us Shaking”, “Did You Ever Look So Nice”) rock, reggae and folk singer/songwriter Sean Kelly, front man for The samples, was born February 7, 1965 in Norwalk, Connecticut. The son of a WW2 veteran and a mom who worked construction to put food on the table, Kelly grew up in Vermont. While attending only one year of high school, he began playing guitar and composing his own songs. After moving to Colorado in 1987 to start a band, Kelly became a fixture on local club stages as the front man for The Samples, playing original songs with a variety of rock, reggae and folk. When not touring with The Samples, he enjoys playing his songs acoustically. The Samples are currently recording their 20th album, Indian Summer, to be released later this year. Kelly’s songs have been featured in Perks of Being a Wallflower and more recently in television’s Younger and in ads for MSNBC’s midterm election coverage. WWW.THESAMPLES.COM

Lee-Ann Lovelace:
Lee-Ann Lovelace is a Connecticut-based singer, songwriter, and musician whose voice carries the weight of a career built across stages, studios, and a lifetime of musical discovery. Known for her powerful, versatile vocals and commanding stage presence, she has spent decades performing across New England and beyond, lending her voice to everything from original projects to covers of classic soul, blues, rock, and Americana.

Her journey in music has been marked by a series of collaborations and projects that have both shaped and reflected her growth as an artist. From her early days performing with bands like Bad Rooster — a high-energy blues outfit that earned her recognition at the Connecticut Blues Challenge — to her work with the Funk Brokers, Inc., the Rubber City Blues Band, and various other ensembles, Lovelace has consistently demonstrated an ability to inhabit and elevate any musical context she steps into.

Her original music is a reflection of what she describes as "a long, strange 21 years" of growth, experimentation, heartbreak, reinvention, and artistic discovery. The upcoming album draws heavily from her lived experience, blending storytelling with the vocal depth and emotional nuance that audiences have come to expect from her.

Today, Lee-Ann Lovelace stands as a multi-dimensional artist: a commanding vocalist, a thoughtful songwriter, a fearless performer, and a mentor who fosters the voices of others. Her music is shaped by the diverse styles she inhabits — jazz, folk, rock, blues, soul, and Americana — yet remains undeniably singular. With new music on the horizon and a career defined by both longevity and constant evolution, Lovelace continues to carve out her own space in the musical landscape, one unforgettable performance at a time.

Her versatility holds true in her original compositions, and her original band spans from 6–10 pieces depending on the venue. The band's torque is fueled by her powerful vocals, deep grooves, vocal harmonies, and a horn section that hits like a sonic left hook.