It’s not everyday that two such diverse individuals come together to make beautiful music.  In the case of Singer/Songwriters and husband/wife duo Chappell and Dave Holt, their diverse upbringings bring together a unique music sound that is music to everyone’s ears.

They call their brand of music “The Jazzy Side of Americana,” with musical influences that range from Ella Fitzgerald to Paul Simon, Joni Mitchell and Steely Dan.

Dave studied piano at Toronto’s Royal Conservatory. The 60’s brought rock ‘n’ roll, blues, jazz, and a move to Northern California, while honing his songwriting skills. He toured and recorded with Rosalie Sorrels and Frontier, was accompanist to blues/jazz singer Pamela Polland, and her “Melba Rounds Review,” with his mastery of the James P. Johnson piano style, and fronted his own rock/jazz band before he and Chappell began their partnership. Later he earned an SFSU BA and Master’s in Creative Writing and has become a published award-winning poet, and is often in demand to read and perform his poetry accompanied by his drum and Chappell on guitar and vocals.

Chappell, the daughter of a minister, grew up singing gospel music. Frequent moves took her Navy family to San Diego. With a guitar, dulcimer, and autoharp she left for Northern California during the 70’s folk music reviva,l inspired by the new singer/songwriters and the soulfulness of jazz. She began to explore merging poetry with music in songwriting, performed extensively, wrote and recorded for independent films and was an in-demand studio singer. She is an artist, a professional seamstress, and designer.

Together they carve out a blend of musical styles that travel the breadth of the American landscape in both original contemporary stylings and interpretations of classic songs from all eras.  Their newest album, Stone And Fire is a genuine representation of their unique sound.

Recently, KC Cafe Radio Music Director Kathy Forste talked with Chappell and Dave Holt via Skype.  They each tell the story of their unique musical lives, and how they eventually came together  both musically and as true soul mates.  They also talk about their artistic lives outside of their music, and how even those experiences play a creative role in their music.

Listen to the interview here:

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Music by Chappell and Dave Holt on KC Cafe Radio:

Chappell and Dave Holt – Stone & Fire