Biography

Kristine Mills, a "bold, blonde entertainer outta the old school" and native Houstonian, has been impressing audiences with her varied repertoire, vocal prowess and command of various languages ever since she launched her professional jazz vocalist career in the early 90's at Ovations. Since then she's graced stages throughout the US, Brazil and Belgium. Last year, Kristine was named one of Houston's Hottest Female Jazz Vocalist on Houston Modern Luxury's Lust List and was the featured musician in “The Loop Music” Houston Modern Luxury Magazine, July 2007. In May of 2007 Kristine released her first cd, Kristine Mills MUSIC. She followed up that cd with the live April 28, 2007 recording of her second cd, Kristine Mills, Playing with the Big Boys - Live! This second album was recorded live during a performance at Cezanne's, Houston's premier jazz club. It features Barry Lee Hall, Jr. and Rocky White of the Duke Ellington Orchestra backed by the Ken Ward Trio. Following this recording, Kristine was invited to perform as guest vocalist with the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Kristine and the Duke Ellington Orchestra performed in Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, Brasil for the Brasilian International Jazz Festival, August 2007. During the DEO Brazil tour Kristine met Tommy “TJ” James, a leading pianist, composer, arranger and music director. After their return to the States, Tommy vowed to create masterful arrangements and perform with Kristine. They performed together for two dates in late March 2008, along with Barry Lee Hall, Jr., trumpeter, conductor and also arranger for the Duke Ellington Orchestra. They presented a spectacular musical event to commemorate the two-year anniversary of Wade Wilson Gallery and the FOTOFest 2008 also in honor of their friend, Rocky White, drummer of the DEO who was suffering with cancer. Immediately following this performance Kristine headed off to Chicago to play with the Duke Ellington 8-piece band for the Jubilee Celebration of Mies Van Der Rohe. Kristine continues to perform with her trio in Houston at Truluck's plus as the featured artist with her bands for parties, galas and special events - as well as completing her next two cd projects, bossanovafied and As Yet Untitled. Both new cd projects are comprised of Kristine's original compositions.