Kelsey Mines is a bassist, vocalist and composer that premiers new original music that seeks to intersect activism, community and art. Born and raised in Seattle, Kelsey grew up on the music made in the Pacific Northwest. She earned her Bachelor of Music in Double Bass Performance from the University of Washington, and a Master of Music in Double Bass Performance from Arizona State University. A recipient of the Holland Scholarship, Kelsey followed her passion for the double bass to the Netherlands, where she studied at Prince Claus Conservatoire before returning to Seattle where she has fully established herself as an important voice in the scene as both a performer and educator.
Since 2017, she has contributed to over a dozen records as a bassist; toured nationally and internationally with orchestras, experimental, jazz and pop bands alike; been a featured artist in several local music settings including the Earshot Jazz Festival, Wayward Music Series, and the Ballard Jazz Festival. In 2019 Kelsey received the Earshot Jazz Golden Ear Award for Emerging Artist and won the inaugural Call for Composers commission in 2022. Kelsey currently teaches at Cornish College of the Arts.