Album Notes

Bella Ruse is a jazz and folk ensemble from Minneapolis, Minnesota formed by singer Kay Gillette and guitarist Joseph Barker in 2009. They combined Kay's classical sensibilities, Joseph's folk roots and their mutual love of jazz into a fresh sound that draws from current artists like Yael Naim and The Innocence Mission but is reminiscent of a past generation of vocalists like Edith Piaf and Sarah Vaughan. Their repertoire includes original folk and pop songs, classic jazz, and showtune standards.

Kay trained as a classical singer at Hope College in Michigan, but was encouraged to pursue jazz when she met Joseph, a fellow Hope student and local musician. She first joined his band as a keyboard player, but they soon realized their collaboration deserved a title all it's own.

Since February, Bella Ruse has recorded a debut 6-song EP in their home studio, recorded a live EP at Glacier Studios, and is now on a national tour performing at venues like St. Paul's historic Artists' Quarter and Kansas City's Phoenix Jazz Club. But Bella Ruse is not simply a jazz duo. They find themselves equally at home playing intimate house shows and hole-in-the-wall local venues. Wherever they play, Bella Ruse always gains affection and praise.