Known in some circles as “The Phoenix”, Kelli was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona. She moved to New York in 2012, with $500 in cash, chasing the heels of Hurricane Sandy. Learning music like so many others in the church choir, Kelli graduated to writing her own music, fronting a hard rock band, a folk duo, then honing her chops at New York’s best blues jams, solidifying her presence in the blues scene.
In January 2023, Kelli’s explosive live performance at the National Women in Blues Showcase in Memphis, TN, led to her immediate signing with Colorado-based Road Dawg Touring, solidifying consistent tour and festival dates throughout the country.
Kelli tours consistently around the United States. Performing with The Kelli Baker Band, she appears consistently at notable venues such as The Cutting Room, House of Blues Chicago, Knuckleheads Kansas City, The Rhythm Room, The Sand Dollar, and holds a residency at NYC’s iconic venue, The Bitter End. Kelli recently headlined both the Women of the Blues Festival in McIntosh, MN, and the Paxico Blues Fest in Kansas City, KS, which draws 5,000 people.
Her show-stopping track, “Blood on the Nile” was met with critical acclaim, landing on Spotify’s coveted editorial playlist, “Blues Roots.”
Kelli’s take on Aretha Franklin’s “Dr. Feelgood (Love is a Serious Business)” recently hit #1 on the Blues Rock chart, Roots Music Report, as well as #2 on the chart for Top 50 Blues Songs, days after its release.
Kelli has swiftly moved through the ranks of New York’s bristling music scene to become a known name and formidable player in the game. She has been featured in Relix Magazine, Guitar Girl Magazine, and countless others.
Kelli Baker Band has recorded at VUDU Studios with producers Mike Watts and Frank Mitaritonna, Cove City Sound Studios with Richie Cannata (Billy Joel, Lords of 52nd Street) and John Arbuckle (Justin Bieber, Jon Bellion), Milk House Studios with multi-platinum producer Philip A. Jimenez (Wheatus, Teenage Dirtbag) and Blokhed Studios with Grammy-nominated producer Tommy Stiegler. Susan Aquila (recorded and worked with Led Zeppelin, Paul McCartney, Steven Tyler) appears on “Cathedral”. Kelli is endorsed by Monster Products, Fret37, ADV, Westone Audio, and Modern Vintage Guitars. She resides in New York City.