Christie Grace Bio

Since moving to Bowen Island BC in 1996, Christie Grace has established a reputation as a uniquely personal, creative jazz vocalist and songwriter. A native of Thunder Bay ON, Christie's passion for music began as a family affair beside her multi talented father John McCullough, a renowned vocalist and leader of his own 22-piece jazz orchestra and brother Murray, an extraordinary blues musician and bandleader. Singing professionally since she was 17, Christie explored many musical stylings through the early years of her career. In 2000 her study at Capilano College with respected Jazz singer and teacher Kate Hammett-Vaughan and collaboration with jazz pianists Stan Keen and Bob Murphy acted as a catalyst to her mature emergence as a distinctive, mesmerizing smooth jazz artist.
 
The release of her debut CD recording, "Late Bloomer" , met with critical acclaim. Russell Hall from Performing Songwriter described her voice as "brushed velvet" and CBC's Jurgen Gothe said, "So few make an impact - Christie Grace has the stuff!" While Paul Shaffer, Musical Director of the David Letterman Show said, "Christie Grace has a sound that washes over you like sweet honey and fine wine. Every song is as beautiful to listen to as she is to look at". The success of this first album led to concerts and sold-out appearances including several at Vancouver's premiere jazz club, The Jazz Cellar where in 2003 Christie performed her outstanding tribute, The Joni Mitchell Retrospective. This innovative show incorporated jazzy arrangements on old Mitchell favorites. Each song, though undeniably recognizable, became "brand new" under Christie's sublime vocal manipulations that both intrigued and delighted the audience with its different, evocative perspective.
 
Christie's new CD, "Contemplation", was co-produced with jazz great Bill Runge and is a tribute to the musical influences of her late father and brother. It was released at the Vancouver East Cultural Centre, eliciting a standing ovation from the enraptured audience. "Contemplation" features some of Vancouver's finest jazz musicians whom Christie has closely collaborated with for many years including Chris Gestrin and Michael Creber (piano), Juno nominee, Jodi Proznick (bass), Daryl Jahnke (guitar), Joseph "Pepe" Danza (percussion, flutes, multi-instrumentals), Vince Mai (trumpet) and Dave Robbins (drums) .This 12-song CD offers a buffet feast of mellow rhythms and soulful ballads. Christie uses her vocal prowess with sophistication and authority, effectively conveying mood and emotion as she shapes each tune. Meet Me in Maui is a playful vocal duet performed with Dave Steele, Fly Me Away, elegantly expresses inner pain and sorrow, Inner Voice suggests reverence offset with infectious rhythm, Be Yourself reflects her own personal philosophy and West Coast Girl proclaims her love of her ocean home. Juxtaposed with these new originals is the timeless Moon River performed and recorded in New York City with old friend, Paul Shaffer, (David Letterman Show),with haunting versions of Both Sides Now and Woodstock from her Joni Mitchell Retrospective. The extraordinary talent and sincerity of the songs and music in this CD are unmistakable.
 
Remembering the words and sage advice once given to her by Kenny Loggins to "go into it with your eyes wide open," Christie knows that success means fulfilling one's own personal dreams. For this exceptional singer, songwriter, and Mother, those dreams have already reached their pinnacle and now the future is wide open.