A singer-songwriter and guitarist from Alexandria, Virginia by way of Indianapolis, Mary-eL is injecting edgy rock and soul into the DMV music scene. This Jill-of-all-trades has hosted her own radio show, acted in short films, co-hosted local TV programs, is a highly sought-after studio session vocalist, is well known for her energetic stage presence, and as of September 2020 is a PRS PULSE Artist.
Over the past few years Mary-eL has shared stages with numerous greats including the time she performed with John Kadlecik (Further, Dark Star Orchestra), Ron Holloway (Warren Haynes, Tedeschi Trucks, Little Feat), and Beau Sasser (Kung Fu) at the 2015 Peach Festival, sang background vocals for Melvin Seals & the Jerry Garcia Band at the 2015 Lockn Fest, and even had the privilege of performing with Roger Waters (Pink Floyd), G.E. Smith (Saturday Night Live, Hall & Oates), Tom Morello (Rage Against the Machine), and Billy Corgan (Smashing Pumpkins) at D.A.R Constitution Hall in 2015 for a MusiCorps benefit concert! That same year she embarked on a 6-week, 27-city tour with the John Kadlecik Band as both a vocalist and guitarist. In July of 2016 she opened for the legendary Allman Brothers Band drummer, Butch Trucks & the Freight Train Band! Summer 2018 she was part of a 3-night run with Melvin Seals (Jerry Garcia Band), John Kadlecik, Jay Lane (Primus, Rat Dog), and Robin Sylvester (Ratdog)! Her most recent notable gigs: background singer for Melvin Seals & JGB for various dates in the fall of 2019, and the final Gypsy Sally’s shows as both a singer and guitarist for the John Kadlecik Band and the Mary-eL Band.
As an original artist she has performed in many popular venues around the local scene such as Rams Head Live & Rams Head Onstage, Black Cat, Union Stage, Pearl Street Warehouse, DC9, Rock and Roll Hotel, the 8x10, State Theater, Howard Theater, Baltimore Soundstage, Hard Rock Cafe DC, AMP by Strathmore, and even the French Embassy! A few of her songs have been played on various radio stations and programs including Ocean 98.1 FM, KNHR: No Hits Radio (Texas/Canada), The Kitty Opal Show (UK), and the No Filter Sports Radio show.
When she’s not out performing her original music with the Mary-eL Band or providing vocals in the studio, you can see her performing from time to time with her fellow musical cohorts in the area such as Sol Roots, Ron Holloway, Chuck Treece (McRad, HR/Bad Brains), or even over the airwaves on radio commercials for the DC Lottery and Roy Rogers!
No matter the venue, genre, or medium one thing's for certain: her passion for music comes through in her performance and it is both consuming and contagious!