Kelly Joyce Bale Simoës de Fonseca was born in Paris in 1982 and is daughter of Art – her father King Joe Bale is a composer, son of the Prince of the Empire Bantu, Ndekekete Bande Bale, which descended from the Egyptian dynasties. Her mother, Countess of Burgos and Segovia, Emmanuelle Vidal Simoës de Fonseca, is the founder of the band Chocolats (1973). Douta Seck (maternal grandfather) was a Senegalese comedy actor.
Kelly-Joyce grew up in Riccione with her family, where she took violin lessons for 8 years, piano for 5 years, and for 12 years she studied dance at the Royal Academy. Later, she went to United Kingdom to continue her studies in Arts, in London.
Her stage debut took place in 2001 with the single ”Vivre la Vie”, which became an international hit, followed by Kelly Joyce album with Universal Music. The album has sold over 800,000 copies worldwide with numerous television and radio from Canada to New Zealand to Siberia and Africa and Asia. She was nominated to the French Music Awards. Later on, Pink Martini Band made a cover of ”Vivre la vie”.
In 2003, Kelly sang for Pope John Paul II, at the Christmas concert at the Vatican. In June 2004 she wrote and released the album ”Chocolat”. In 2005, she collaborated with the Italian producer and rapper Esa & Fish for “Cos’e che vuoi da me” and in 2006 for “Mi porti su”. In 2007, she released a new version of the ”Delicate” song with the Four-Kings, a Ukrainian boyband. In 2009, she has produced the single ”Rendez-Vous” inspired by the 30’s , the video being dedicated to Josephine Baker.
In 2011, she performed on the biggest stage of the theater in Moscow, The Crocus City Hall, in collaboration with the Moulin Rouge. In 2012, she recorded the single “Wake Up” with Four Crackers, with influences from the 70’s. Also, Kelly sang at the openings of Ben Harper, Norah Jones and Incognito. The 2013 album Jazz Mon Amour Pour l’Afrique is a revisitation of the famous jazz songs, in collaboration with Fabrizio Bosso, a famous Italian jazz musician. In 2015 she released “Baku Smiles” featuring Tunzale Agayeva. In 2016 Kelly sung at San Pietro Cathedral a gospel version of Our Father; this song includes the voice of Pope Francis, a world exclusive. Now Kelly is writing her new album, and she lives between Italy and Bali, Indonesia.
How and when did you discover your passion for music?
I come from a family full of artists. My father is an arranger and singer, my mother, an author and singer as well. On 70th she has created a girl band named The Chocolates, and had a great success worldwide with ”Brazilian Carnaval”, ”Get up and boogie” and others. That’s why when I was little I used to go to all the concerts with my family. Even the sister of my mom was the first dancers of the Lido and Follie Bergère of Paris. That’s way I love plumes and all Moulin Rouge atmosphere.
I have never really decided to become an artist. Is just something bigger than me. When I was seven, I had violin lessons for nine years, five years of piano lessons, and 13 of classic and hip hop dance. When I perform, I feel like I breath again.
Define your musical style in one phrase.
French Pop Jazz.
Favorite musicians …
George Benson, Miles Devis, Herby Hancock, Allevi, Coltrane.
What do you prefer to read / eat/do in your spare time?
I love to read historical books, and REALLY love to cook Italian food. I make homemade pasta, like tagliatelle, tortellini and lasagne, then I eat them all! I love Asian food, too. I live a part of the year in Bali, Indonesia.
If not a singer, then you would be a …
Chef… for sure, or Sommelier.
How do you define happiness?
To be able to see beauty in small things.
Your motto for this Festival.
My show has to be a trip to Paris!
