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Crowfeather will kick off music series tonight

Crowfeather consists of Chris Morris, Luke Meissner, Kelsey Amell, Andrew Parent and Shaun Kittle. (Photo provided)

By KEVIN SHEA

Enterprise Intern

SARANAC LAKE — Crowfeather will debut its new lead singer Kelsey Amell tonight at the kick off for the Music on the Green series.

From 7 to 9 p.m. on the Berkeley Green, at the corner of Main Street and Broadway, attendees will hear — for free — hints of rock, funk, jazz, ska, lounge, blues, swing and New Orleans street music, along with the bold voice of the new lead singer.

Amell joined the group three months ago after friends who had seen Crowfeather live insisted she audition. They believed she was what Crowfeather needed, Amell said. The band agreed.

Crowfeather gave Amell three songs, two originals (“Sagittarius A” and “Amorphous”) and one cover (“Tell Mama” by Etta James), to sing at the audition. She changed the vocal melody to two of them immediately.

According to drummer and band founder Shaun Kittle, the other auditions were great, but they knew Amell was the one when she sang “Amorphous.”

“We knew on the spot,” Kittle said, who described Amell as energetic and dedicated.

Both attributes aided her rapid transition into the band.

Over the past three months, she has learned over an hour of original music and has even added her own dynamic to several original songs — a process which Kittle describes as “Kelsification.” It’s perhaps because of this that Kittle believes they sound “the best we’ve ever sounded”

The music tonight will include new and old songs, written by Kittle and bass player and vocalist Andrew Parent. The band also includes Chris Morris, who sometimes goes by CM Funk —  he plays the trumpet and keyboard, and also sings — and Luke Meissner, who plays guitar and sings. They will also perform a few more covers than before.

Previously, Amell wrote her own music and occasionally sang at open mics. She said she is excited to be a part of the group and can’t wait for Wednesday. When asked if she’s nervous, she responded fiercely, “not at all.”

Catch Crowfeather live

Tonight, 7 to 9 p.m., Berkeley Green, Saranac Lake

July 15, 7 to 9 p.m., Raquette River Brewing, Tupper Lake

July 29, 8 p.m., Pourman’s Taphouse, Wilmington

Aug. 22, 7:30 p.m., Adirondack Lakes Center for the Arts, Blue Mountain Lake

Oct. 1, 4 p.m., Bike to Barns, Whallonsburg Grange, Essex

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