Far more than a vocal powerhouse, Calgary-based Blues/Soul/Rock artist Ollee Owens blends grit and intensity with exquisite skill, resulting in a contemporary blues sound that moves both body and soul. With the warmth of Mavis Staples, intensity of Etta James and the soulful delivery of Bonnie Raitt, Ollee’s voice goes directly to the heart, acknowledging the struggles of life while never losing sight of what truly matters.
After returning to music a decade ago and releasing 2022’s Cannot be Unheard, Owens is making waves in the Blues and Roots scene with the release of her newest album, Nowhere to Hide (2024), garnering well-earned attention across Canada and Internationally, earning rave reviews across North America and abroad:
“Ollee has the drive in her performance thrust that is conveyed through artists that are blues powerhouses like Bonnie Raitt, Karen Lawrence & Tracy Nelson… It’s a delight to hear a voice that understands the genre & can project as strongly as Ollee does… It takes expertise, practice & above all a dedicated effort to the genre.”
John Apice – Americana Highways (USA, 2024)
“For fans of powerful, soul-infused music, Nowhere to Hide is an album that cannot be missed. Its sophisticated soundscapes and relatable themes oTer a perfect blend of celebration and introspection. As Owens continues to expand her audience, she solidifies her place in the Canadian music landscape — one marked by talent, passion, and an unwavering commitment to her art.” Stevie Connor – The Sound Cafe (Canada, 2024)
Raised in the Canadian Prairies, music was always around Owens growing up. Artists such as Elvis, Odetta, The Band, Mavis Staples, Bonnie Raitt and Bob Dylan were formative in her teen years. But more than just listening, she took comfort in writing her own songs, seeing music as a way to process the chaotic nature of life and give visibility to her own feelings. And even when Owens took a 15-year respite in order to raise a family, she never fully put a cap on her passion for music, volunteering as a music therapist, occasionally performing, and always continuing to write songs. That hiatus would meet its end in 2015 at the famed Calgary venue The Blues Can where the late great Bill Dowey caught her performance at his “Blues Sunday School” jam and was immediately drawn to her raw and passionate sound, becoming one of her biggest supporters. Encouraged by the positive reception from audience and industry pros alike, Owens decided to pursue her dream of a career in music.
Since 2015, Ollee has shared stages across the Canadian Prairies and as far south as Memphis with artists like Matt Anderson, Blue Moon Marquee, Tim Williams, Albert Castiglia and Dawn Tyler Watson. Owens started 2025 with a dynamic set at the legendary BB Kings in Memphis, TN and spent the summer playing shows and festivals from Saskatoon to Vancouver Island. She plans to continue touring stages and festivals across Canada and Internationally, making new friends and fans wherever she goes.
“Music does so much more than entertain,” Owens says, ” It gives a voice to a wide breadth of experiences and feelings, touching those looking for a connection. It has the power to heal wounds and be a welcoming source of light and comfort in the darkness.” It’s for all those reasons and more that Ollee Owens keeps singing, lighting the path for her fellow travellers.
Ollee’s music continues to set her intentions as a talented artist who deals in authenticity, openness, and honesty paving the way for a lasting musical connection.
