Christie Grace

"Good things are sometimes worth waiting for", Russell Hall, Performing Songwriter. Christie Grace is an accomplished smooth jazz singer-songwriter and independent recording artist. Grace has wowed audiences with her poise, elegance and passionate performances through self produced sold-out concerts, and exclusive jazz clubs engagements. Her impressive band has some of Vancouver's top jazz musicians, including two time NJA- National Jazz Award Winner, Jodi Proznick, Chris Gestrin, Dave Rob...

"Good things are sometimes worth waiting for", Russell Hall, Performing Songwriter. Christie Grace is an accomplished smooth jazz singer-songwriter and independent recording artist. Grace has wowed audiences with her poise, elegance and passionate performances through self produced sold-out concerts, and exclusive jazz clubs engagements. Her impressive band has some of Vancouver's top jazz musicians, including two time NJA- National Jazz Award Winner, Jodi Proznick, Chris Gestrin, Dave Robbins and Daryl Jahnke. She has also appeared with NJAW Bill Coon, Stan Keen, Bob Murphy, and Bill Sample with a choir guest spot with Bobby McFerrin and Chick Corea. Born April 17, 1956 in Thunder Bay ON, CG's mentors were her Father, John McCullough, a charismatic singer-musician-teacher and a popular big bandleader of his own 22-piece jazz orchestra and her brother Murray McCullough, an extraordinary blues bandleader who was asked to open for Dylan. In 1996, she made her home, in Howe Sound, at the artistic, environment of Bowen Island. Then in 2000, following her intensive study at Vancouver’s Capilano College with teachers & Jazz singers Kate Hammett-Vaughan and Steve Maddock , she released LATE BLOOMER her Debut Independent Latin/Pop CD which received critical acclaim in Canada and the US and has sold over 2,400 copies and is in its third pressing. CG's unabashed Late Bloomer theme, "time to fly free" appealed to thousands of fellow bloomers near and far. The success of Late Bloomer, led to ongoing concert dates and sold-out appearances at Vancouver's premiere jazz club, The Cellar. A big fan of Mitchell, Grace drew sell-out crowds to her “Joni Mitchell Retrospective” with the assistance of jazz arrangers, Bob Murphy & Tilden Webb. Each song, though undeniably recognizable, literally transformed under Christie's sensitive vocals, both intriguing and delighting the audience with her evocative perspective. In 2006, during a phone conversation with Paul Shaffer, she asked if he would record with her on her next CD, and to her delight one year later, Paul and CG recorded the Mancini/Mercer classic, "MOON RIVER" at late night July recording session in New York's Times Square: "Quad" studio. In Oct 2007, With the startling languorous treatment of "Moon River" featuring Paul Shaffer's brilliant accompaniment, CONTEMPLATION, co produced by CG & Bill Runge was released, to a standing ovation @ the prestigious Vancouver East Cultural Centre with numerous TV, Newspaper and Radio features including ET Canada. The 12-song Smooth Jazz/New Age, collection delivered a mature, marsh-very mellow CG, with enticingly soothing 7 originals and 5 covers. "Be Yourself ", "Time Won't Wait" & "Steel and Porcelain" are metaphysically juxtaposed against swing and an unexpected, waltz timing. The gossamer ballad of fragility, "Fly Me Away", is a naked ode to grief, while the very popular 2 beat swing BIO," West Coast Girl" revealing CGs pride in her bohemian, island lifestyle. Along and "Woodstock" with the ancient Japanese shakuhatchi flute, the collection of songs showcase CG's pristine pitch and at times haunting vocals, brimming with a distinct sense of peace. Contemplation attracted an expanded fan base with successive sold out shows @ THE CELLAR, selling 1000 copies with distribution into Japan. Christie Grace has been featured with Erin Cebula on ET CANADA & CTV, with Peter Grainger on CTV, Jim Gordon & Darren Parkman on THE TRAVEL GUYS, plus several appearances with Michael Eckford & Fiona Forbes on URBAN RUSH with special segments and regular airplay on CBC's HOT AIR, VINYL CAFE, & NORTH BY NORTHWEST and Jurgen Gothe’s DiscDrive. She has appeared in articles in THE GEORGIA STRAIGHT, The SUN, PROVINCE, WE, NORTH SHORE NEWS, TIMES CHRONICLE and has recorded with Order of Canada winner, Author / Radio Show Host, PAUL SHAFFER, Musical Director of the David Letterman Show and in 2008 she won two Toronto Exclusive Magazine Awards (Internet awards) as best BC Jazz Vocalist and BC Songwriter for her CD Contemplation. CG has studied online with the Boston Berklee of Music and is currently studying with the acclaimed Vancouver Jazz vocalist, Jennifer Scott. With an exciting third CD collaboration with Chris Gestrin, who has several successful CD’s under his belt. The project in the ether with” no imminent deadline. CG is never one to stand still for long.