“It’s probably safe to say that most blues musicians didn’t earn a bachelor’s degree from Duke University or attend grad school at the University of California, Berkeley. But Evan Nicole Bell is not your typical rough-and-tumble guitar slinger.”

Stream Evan Nicole Bell’s conversation with Jeff Sammut on SiriusXM’s Canada Talks.

Watch Evan Nicole Bell’s half-hour Public Radio Music Day special on NPR Music Live Sessions.

“Melodic vocal style...instrumental prowess.”

“[Evan Nicole Bell’s] Shades of Blue is nothing short of superb.”

“A blues that confounds expectations.”

“In a similar way to which Prince effortlessly blurred the edges between rock and funk, she’s not bound by structure or form. She’s her own woman and Shades Of Blue is as good a calling card as it gets.”

“Which contemporary artists exemplify salient principles and values characteristic of blues music? […] consider Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, Kirby, or Evan Nicole Bell.”

“Evan is clearly a highly talented multi-instrumentalist with a very positive musical future ahead of her.”

“[Evan Nicole Bell] mines and embraces the rich history of soul, blues and Americana while at the same time making it decidedly her own.”

“A master of style as a guitarist and brilliant as a singer.”

“[Evan Nicole Bell is] the best, most interesting, and most innovative new artist I’ve heard since Alicia Keys […] this is Jimi Hendrix, Albert King, and Etta James all in one.”

“Evan Nicole Bell (Music) […] will receive a $10,000 Mary Sawyers Baker Prize […] Each of these exceptional artists adds a unique voice to the creative and collective dialogue of our time.”

Black background with white and gray text reading "LIVE FOR LIVE MUSIC" arranged vertically.

“Throughout our 77-minute phone call, [Todd] Snider name-drops a bevy of up-and-comers like […] Evan Nicole Bell (“Man, just put her name. People: look her up.”).