Wednesday Feb 17, 2016 by Tammie Rollie Okotoks Western Wheel

A pop-jazz songstress who got her start in Okotoks can be a tough act to follow, but she has her work cut out for her opening for 2015 international jazz artist of the year Gregory Porter.

Singer/songwriter Ellen Doty, who now calls Calgary home, is off to the Jack Singer Concert Hall in Calgary Feb. 19 to open for the American jazz singer, who was named the JazzFM International Jazz Artist of the Year and whose album Liquid Spirit won a Grammy for best vocal jazz album in 2014.

This weekend’s concert will be the first time Doty meets the soulful singer in the flat cap.

“He’s a wonderful jazz artist,” she said. “I’ve been following him for quite a few years. I love his voice – it’s just silky smooth, just a gorgeous voice.”