On Saturday, Dec. 2, at 6:30 PM, Sticks and Stones Comedy Club—while known for its hilarious weekly Friday Night Comedy shows—will present an all-ages holiday musical concert showcasing the extraordinary singing and piano talents of Kim Kalesti.
Abby Russell, who started Sticks and Stones Comedy Club, said she first became aware of Kim Kalesti when she spotted her in a Humans of New York feature. ‘I was taken by her story and then did a deep dive into her music, and wow! What a talent! Kim’s music is so heartfelt and pure, and her voice is magic!’
In an interview with Hamptons.com about the Dec. 2nd show, Ms. Kalesti said, “I am originally from Pueblo, Colorado, and I have been singing and performing since I was five years old.” That talent took Ms. Kalesti to New York City when she was in her early twenties, and she has resided there ever since. She explained her musical influences were “All the Tin Pan Alley Composers.” Kalesti credits her mom’s mail-order record choices while growing up that introduced her to one of her biggest influences. She explained early in her childhood that was “Edie Gourmet,” saying that she used to memorize all her songs; thus, even as a teen, she used to sing them and “make the adults cry.”
She was a prodigy who was one of those “kids who could sing at five, although I did study with someone in my hometown (Pueblo, Colo.) It was Roberta Arwood, a pretty well-known opera singer, who recognized then that I had a very mature voice. So, Ms. Arwood focused on how I should breathe so I could preserve my voice throughout my life.” Now Kalesti has raised two kids, AC Lincoln and Emily King, who sing professionally and are songwriters as well. Her daughter has been nominated for three Grammys.
Kalesti has never played in the Hamptons before, yet she has played and recorded all over the world via her music. Having worked with “… the most fantastic musicians and composers” for the last ten years, Ms. Kalesti has been composing her own music, usually via the piano and singing. Her compositions are original and universal at the same time; Kalesti’s songs have been getting noticed. In fact, singer Audra MacDonald found Kalesti and has been singing one of her latest hits, ‘I Love Today.’
She said, “Everything I have lived, felt, and experienced in my sixty-six years is in my music now. I do not do any of the American standards songbooks in my show. It is all original music.” It has been said that many believe that listening to Kalesti is like listening to Laura Nyro, had she lived beyond 49 years old. She said people have said, “Wow, I am experiencing a Laura Nyro experience with your original music.”
About performing in Southampton on the Sticks and Stones Comedy Club stage, Kalesti said, “I am very much looking forward to the show, to performing there, and to share personal experiences through my music.” She said her music relates to every age group and just had a concert in Woodstock, N.Y., where Kalesti explained she noticed the diverse ages of the folks in her audience.
Sampling Kim Kalesti’s recordings, I was struck by the gentle magical power of her tone and how when she sings, her piano arrangements brilliantly augment the mood changes and intensity of the phrasing. I found myself searching to hear more tunes, playing some over and over. I will be there on Saturday, December 2, at 6:30 pm at Sticks and Stones Comedy Club at 25 Pond Lane, inside the Southampton Cultural Center in Southampton Village. After Kim Kalesti’s holiday concert, there will be a comedy show at 8:00 PM, featuring Vanessa Hollingshead, who comes back to headline (by popular demand!) on the Mainstage. Stacey Prussman features, and there will be some other special guests.
