Jazz vocalist, recording artist, songwriter, live event producer & DJ

Based in Honolulu, HI

• BandCamp: purchase my music directly (the best way to support artists)
  
  
• SoundCloud:stream my music for free



• Breeze Block Radio: If u don't know, now u know

• Musician Contract Database
  
  
• Ka Leo Hawaiʻi: digital archive of Native Hawaiian language radio show
  
  
• Hawaiʻi Public Radio
  
  
• KTUH

Aloha! My name is Kelsea Armstrong (she/they). I am a multi-faceted creative and jack-of-all-trades based in the illegally occupied Kingdom of Hawaiʻi with a background in traditional jazz, rnb/soul, reggae, and more. I have experience as the premier vocalist for critically acclaimed groups like Nā Hōkū Hanohano award-winning ensemble, Honolulu Jazz Quartet and the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa jazz ensemble for several years. My performances regularly extend to prestigious venues like Blue Note Hawaii and the state art museum’s jazz and cultural events at Capitol Modern.

Beyond the realm of jazz, I have worked as the resident hook singer in a hip hop/neo-soul freestyle jam alongside some of Hawaiʻi’s finest emcees and jazz musicians. My freestyle performances have also been featured in the occasional toasting sessions of Honolulu’s underground rub-a-dub parties, and have even led me to open for dub artists like Likkle Mai from DRY&HEAVY at The Republik.

As a songwriter, I have performed a catalogue of unreleased music on KTUH’s “Monday Night Live” segment (2022), opened for local indie bands like Ragamuffs and The Mauve with my original sets, and performed various live events with the purpose of showcasing my original works stripped down on guitar i.e. SoFar Sounds Honolulu and Yoga Under The Palms.

I am wrapping up two recording projects set to release later this year.

The first project is a full-length studio album that marks my third collaboration with Zenbu records and Ohtoro (see UniVibes and Ma Ka Hana Ka ʻIke) titled “Swag Lamp”. This record brings a variety of styles together with Ohtoro’s signature sounds and melodies/lyrics by me. It is crfafted for vinyl and for smoking to. It is designed to play with big lights off and ambient lighting on. The chill lifestyle beats hardly surpass 120 bpm making is an excellent listen for those who are looking to slow it down for 10 tracks’ worth of time.

Later in the year, will be the rollout of “Reggasm”; a punky reggae collaboration by Kelsea Armstrong and Jah Gumby of Father Psalms Studios. The classic militant reggae riddims with jazzy changes delivered by the master works of Jah Gumby are decorated by soulful vocals and songwriting that dips into dark themes, then relieves them with comedic flair. “Reggasm” is not only a reflection of their unwavering passion and study of reggae music, but a fresh take that pulls elements from other styles in a way that is both unique to the genre and to Hawaiʻi.