It's the season of the Soulard Mardi Gras here in St. Louis, and the setting for Coda Terra recording artist Kelley Hunt was the festive feel of the Millennium Ball. Opening up for Kelley was Tom Hall, one of the finest National Steel guitarists in St. Louis, who performs much in the style of Mississippi John Hurt.

Held at Soulard's new entertainment jewel - the elegant Lucas School House - Kelley brought her gospel-tinged vocal stylings to the stage. Adding her sheer vocal talent to her rockin' boogie woogie keyboard, her music evokes emotion, and inevitably you're transported to a place of sheer musical bliss. Able to take her vocals way down in a slow and deep ballad, and then shake the rafters with her soulful sound, Kelley accompanies her piano chops masterfully. Long a favorite of this Blues town, Kelley was welcomed by her many friends and fans, including Frances Johnson, wife of the late, great Johnnie 'Johnnie be Good' Johnson.

Kelley alluded to a 'surprise' this evening, and that she did when she left the instrument she's most known at - her keyboard - and strapped on a guitar! Kelley's husband Al informed STLBlues, "she plays really well, and she's even better on bass"! The evening featured a mix of Kelley's classics from her previous releases "New Shade of Blue", "Inspiration", her debut CD titled simply "Kelley Hunt", and new material from her current CD project (planned May release). We'll keep you posted on that!