Elly Kellner

About me

Rotterdam, Netherlands

I am a creative and receptive singer-songwriter/mezzo-soprano, most comfortable in the F3-B5 range. Specialities: melancholy songs with warm harmonies, sharp timing or laid back jazzy. Love thinking out of the box and can offer the 'Elly Kellner Sauce´; tuning in, creating, writing and delivering vocals from the heart. Lyrically I try to go into the core of my inner world, with the firm belief there will be others who recognize the mutual experience and feel less alone as a result ♥

*1st round 2019* 5 collabs with 7 musicians from 6 countries. The song Different, you and I with Heather Bond won. Worked with Larry Klein and met so many wonderful musicians!

*2nd round 2020* 16 collabs with 32 people from 21 countries. The song Si Ghan won the Special Corona Award.

Cultural background

  • Belgium
  • Netherlands

Values

  • Authenticity
  • Curiosity
  • Fun
  • Growth
  • Honesty
  • Kindness
  • Learning
  • Listening
  • Love
  • Openness

Project Music

Bombs Cannot Blow Up Our Dreams

In this song we want to take away the distance between ‘them’ and ‘us’. Take away the distance created by borders, color and privilege. The ocean is but a mere puddle, the border is nothing more than a line. We believe that bombs can never blow up our dreams. Hate cannot keep us from loving. Forever we will love!

  • Alternative
  • Background vocals
  • Rapping
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Bass guitar
  • Electric guitar
  • Sarangi
  • Adufe
  • Percussion
  • Sampler
  • Belgium
  • Cameroon
  • India
  • Japan
  • Netherlands
  • Portugal
Sorry I'm not Sorry

People's unique qualities are often judged by societal standards, which goes against human nature. There is a dissonance between who we are and who we are expected to be. "Don't be too big, don't be too small, be self-assured but not overconfident, don't look too white or too black" This protest song doesn’t march on the street, and it doesn't aggressively go after our oppressor. This is a song about our soft power. The power to refuse to be seen as other then we actually are. We are all unique and we refuse to be sorry about that.

  • Neo-Soul
  • Background vocals
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Electric piano
  • Synthesizer
  • Alto saxophone
  • Tenor saxophone
  • Hungary
  • Netherlands
  • Russian Federation
  • Switzerland
  • Tanzania

No submissions for Beyond Music Project Volume 3.

MANTRA (Hymn to the Mother Earth)

MANTRA' is an offering to Mother Earth, who is the foundation of all things. It talks about human actions to be cultivated to protect the planet. We have many environmental issues, but in the current scenario, when the world is still struggling to combat Covid 19 with many human lives lost, what we all need to do is to adopt a holistic approach towards living life, a lifestyle that exists in synchronization with nature. Additional artists from Nandighosha Group: Bruno Steffen: Arrangement, Vivek Bhurtun: Tabla, Rätus Flisch: Double Bass.

  • Classical
  • Fusion
  • Improvisational
  • Indian
  • Indie Pop
  • Jazz
  • Pop
  • Religious / Spiritual
  • Traditional / Folk
  • Vocal
  • World
  • Background vocals
  • Bol
  • Chanting
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Bayan
  • Harmonium
  • Piano
  • Synthesizer
  • Double bass
  • Tambura
  • Violin
  • Bass drum
  • Bell
  • Clapped hands
  • Cymbals
  • Drum set
  • Percussion
  • Snare drum
  • Tabla
  • Bass clarinet
  • Belgium
  • Denmark
  • Germany
  • India
  • Israel
  • Netherlands
  • Switzerland
  • United Kingdom
  • United States of America
We are Earthlings

We are Earthlings is a manifestation of diversity, created by five musicians from five continents. Rather than providing a singular statement, this song presents a playful exploration of our inter-connected perspectives. Even the seemingly straightforward lyric ‘we play with fire’ can be interpreted as threatening or empowering depending on the context. We are complex creatures, and every one of us lives the full spectrum of emotions. As the song progresses, we move from minor to major melodies, and despair is replaced by hope.

  • Alternative
  • Arabic
  • Fusion
  • Hip Hop / Rap
  • Indian
  • Latino
  • Neo-Soul
  • Pop
  • Psychedelia
  • Rock
  • World
  • Background vocals
  • Chanting
  • Rapping
  • Singer
  • Synthesizer
  • Bass guitar
  • Electric guitar
  • Ud / Oud
  • Zither
  • Dholak
  • Drum machine
  • Guiro
  • Janggu
  • Argentina
  • Canada
  • Egypt
  • India
  • Netherlands
BHOOMI

The song 'Bhoomi' (Mother Earth) is a cry of her describing the pain caused by the insensitive usage of her resources by human beings. The suffering of the mother Earth is beyond imagination: pollution, deforestation, soil erosion, climate change, biodiversity loss; because of modern life style of human beings and due to their lack of consciousness. Since our survival is entirely dependent on the survival of the mother Earth we must need to take care and protect her. Additional musicians: Bruno Steffen (arrangement), Vivek Bhurtun (Tabla).

  • Fusion
  • Improvisational
  • Indian
  • Indie Pop
  • Jazz
  • Pop
  • Traditional / Folk
  • Vocal
  • World
  • Bass
  • Bol
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Harmonium
  • Piano
  • Synthesizer
  • Bass guitar
  • Electric guitar
  • Bell
  • Caxixi
  • Snare drum
  • Tabla
  • Bass clarinet
  • Soprano saxophone
  • Argentina
  • Belgium
  • Germany
  • India
  • Netherlands
  • Spain
  • Switzerland
  • United Kingdom
Earth Vibrations

This is what may happen when our hearts find a direct channel with Planet Earth, we start to decipher what kind of vibration our Planet broadcasts. This song represents that channel. The attempt to forget that we are human, that we have borders that separate languages and cultures, so that we may be able to understand this mysterious telluric vibration that comes to us without pre-concept, without words, yet vibrating as a single Culture!

  • African
  • Fusion
  • Improvisational
  • New Age
  • Ritual
  • Traditional / Folk
  • Vocal
  • World
  • Chanting
  • Contralto / Alto
  • Soprano
  • Tenor
  • Vocal ensemble
  • Vocal percussion
  • Bass guitar
  • Electric guitar
  • Adufe
  • Sampler
  • Cameroon
  • Netherlands
  • Portugal
Agora (Now)

Life can be so busy that sometimes we forget to live in the now and to appreciate the beauty, and bounty of the diversity that surrounds us. Agora is a song that calls for us to appreciate the little things that make life in our ecosystem livable

  • African
  • Fusion
  • World
  • Background vocals
  • Singer
  • Piano
  • Bass guitar
  • Electric guitar
  • Flamenco guitar
  • Adufe
  • Bass drum
  • Chimes
  • Conga
  • Drum set
  • Percussion
  • Snare drum
  • Cameroon
  • Germany
  • Netherlands
  • Portugal
  • Belgium
  • United States of America
Eyes of the World

The Earth is a single magical and benevolent creature. All it asks of us is to zoom out from our tiny lives and see the world holistically. With eyes wide open, not putting on a show, but living conciously together.

  • Indian
  • Indie Pop
  • Pop
  • Funk
  • Background vocals
  • Chanting
  • Mezzo-soprano
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Vocal percussion
  • Acoustic guitar
  • Bass guitar
  • Violin
  • Bell
  • Percussion
  • Drum machine
  • Tambourine
  • Canada
  • India
  • Netherlands
  • United States of America
Breathe

We breathe happily, unconsciously while we are alive and we often have this act as guaranteed gracefully. We soon understand that there is indeed something that is not seen but that has an immeasurable importance. They teach us to love trees because basically it is from them that a large part of our oxygen comes from. In this last breath I thank you with a chest full of gratitude, for this magnificent human respiratory system that was created here among colleagues, where ideas emerged as the very act of breathing! Naturally!

  • Ambient
  • Fusion
  • Pop
  • Vocal
  • World
  • Onomatopoeia
  • Overtone / Throat singing
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Soprano
  • Vocal ensemble
  • Whistling / Humming
  • Electric guitar
  • Hang
  • Udu
  • Duduk
  • Sampler
  • Portugal
  • Armenia
  • Mongolia
  • Netherlands
Put your thinking caps on

If we do what we've always done, we'll get what we've always gotten. It is time to put our thinking caps on to think again. It is time to make new choices encompassing every aspect of the planet and beyond.

  • Indie Pop
  • Rock
  • Traditional / Folk
  • Background vocals
  • Chanting
  • Mezzo-soprano
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Bass guitar
  • Electric guitar
  • Sarangi
  • Adufe
  • Trumpet
  • Drum set
  • Belgium
  • Cameroon
  • Japan
  • Netherlands
  • Portugal
  • Syrian Arab Republic
Corona Song

Sadly Corona is traveling our planet and it can make us ill and even kill us. At the same time, while 'normal' life is paused the planet is regenerating, the sky and waters are cleaner than before. With this song we aim to warn against this virus as well as point out it is an opportunity to find new ways to reconnect with each other and the planet.

  • African
  • World
  • Background vocals
  • Chanting
  • Mezzo-soprano
  • Singer
  • Zeze / Tzetze / Dzendze
  • Adufe
  • Percussion
  • Belgium
  • Kazakhstan
  • Netherlands
  • Portugal
  • Tanzania
Satpurush (The True Spirit)

In our quest to make the best of life mankind is lost in finding meaning and balance with the universe, and because of that we are hurting ourselves and our environment. Just like a leaf from a tree, we are drifting, not knowing what to do, where to go or what the future holds. Inspired by Hindi folk sourced from : Pati Raam Maravi ,Pradhan priest of Gond tribe in the Garakamatta Village , Dindori district , Madhya Pradesh , India

  • World
  • Bass
  • Singer
  • Electric guitar
  • Qyl-Qobyz / Qobyz
  • Ukulele
  • Percussion
  • Belgium
  • Cameroon
  • India
  • Kazakhstan
  • Netherlands
  • Switzerland
Madawa - Encontra a tua Raiz

Sina Ubi composed this song expressing the concern for the new generations of Tanzania, who are increasingly lost in their inner path, becoming dependent on drugs. The lack of self-esteem and emotional health in such young generations has become a global scourge for a long time now. It is here that we move away from our roots and our life mission. There is an urgent need for a manifestation in favor of Life with self-love. A Manifesto sung with one voice that will restore healthy conscience to every human being. Our Mother Earth! A global call!

  • African
  • Blues
  • Fusion
  • Ritual
  • Traditional / Folk
  • Vocal
  • World
  • Contralto / Alto
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Soprano
  • Tenor
  • Vocal ensemble
  • Electric guitar
  • Zeze / Tzetze / Dzendze
  • Adufe
  • Caxixi
  • Sampler
  • Netherlands
  • Portugal
  • Tanzania
Si Ghan
Play
  • Award Winner

All children simply want to live, grow up and be smart. They want to live in harmony with the animals and the planet. Our children will breathe the air we leave behind. Now it is time to think ahead and make sure the air is clean for every living being on earth. With special contribution of Roos Marijn van Voorden, 6 years old (The Netherlands).

  • African
  • Reggae / Carribean
  • Background vocals
  • Chanting
  • Child’s voice
  • Mezzo-soprano
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Bass guitar
  • Electric guitar
  • Sarangi
  • Drum machine
  • Trumpet
  • Belgium
  • Cameroon
  • France
  • India
  • Japan
  • Netherlands
  • Syrian Arab Republic
She gave us everything

Elly longed to create a song for the planet with just women. Now it sounds like a warm womb and the birth after. When we speak of earth we tend to say she is female, a mother. She nourishes and protects us, gives us air to breathe and healing herbs. She gave us everything, from the moment we crawled from the mud to our 'high' times in the high-rise buildings we live in now. Will it ever be enough?

  • Alternative
  • New Age
  • Religious / Spiritual
  • Ritual
  • Background vocals
  • Chanting
  • Mezzo-soprano
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Vocal percussion
  • Whistling / Humming
  • Acoustic guitar
  • Bass guitar
  • Electric guitar
  • Adufe
  • Bell
  • Chimes
  • Percussion
  • Belgium
  • Germany
  • India
  • Netherlands
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Switzerland
Save the world

It takes a whole village to raise a child is what they say. Same could be said about this song. After Kate sent the lyrics and initial melody idea to Elly everbody that joined in helped build the song up to the warm, safe place it is now. And this is exactly what the world can be. A place where everbody helps build our grand home up to be the warm, safe place we all deserve.

  • Easy Listening
  • New Age
  • Pop
  • Indie Pop
  • Background vocals
  • Mezzo-soprano
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Whistling / Humming
  • Bass guitar
  • Electric guitar
  • Bell
  • Drum set
  • Vibraphone / Vibraharp
  • Germany
  • Israel
  • Netherlands
  • United States of America
  • Belgium
  • France
  • Switzerland
Tell me captain

Tell me captain it’s a grooving rhythm and blues that give “a lighthearted take on what's going on in the world” (Elly). We won’t accept, we won’t give up, we will “…keep on running against the wave, keep on singing in the rain, keep on loving life and human beings…” (Diego)

  • Blues
  • R&B / Soul
  • Choir
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Electric piano
  • Double bass
  • Guitar
  • Drum set
  • Cameroon
  • Italy
  • Netherlands
  • United States of America
Not perfectly round. (Her voice/part two)

Elly: As I listened to Sasha's original instrumental track, it felt quite organic to me and I immediately heard a melody and words emerging as if it was earth itself speaking to me, like a mother. A mother that is sometimes taken for granted, ignored. But even if she feels unloved at times our mother earth is still here supporting us, sustaining life for all living things. Regardless of how we treat her she will continue doing so until the end of time, like a mother would.

  • Ambient
  • Electronic
  • Fusion
  • Indie Pop
  • Singer
  • Synthesizer
  • Drum machine
  • Sampler
  • Israel
  • Netherlands
  • Russian Federation
Your Heart Beats With Mine
Play
  • 204 votes
  • Album Track

I felt an instant connection when I began chatting with Elly. I sent her a melody idea and some chorus lyrics. She wrote the verses and added guitar to the track. This song is special because it is encouraging. It tells us that even though we're different, our hearts beat alike. When we accept those differences, we can reach our full potential, we can "rise and touch the stars."

  • Easy Listening
  • Indie Pop
  • Background vocals
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Piano
  • Guitar
  • Netherlands
  • United States of America
We Are One
Play
  • 185 votes

Rona wrote and sang the lyrics to this song like a mantra with a great sense of spirit. With the singing bowls and backing vocals by Heidi and Elly the three created an embracing and warm sacred space of union, love and acceptance. In this day we want to dedicate this song to whom ever lost their loved ones. We Are One and forever united in eternity.

  • Alternative
  • Ambient
  • New Age
  • Religious / Spiritual
  • Ritual
  • World
  • Background vocals
  • Chanting
  • Choir
  • Mezzo-soprano
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Vocal ensemble
  • Guitar
  • Ud / Oud
  • Singing bowl / Rin gong
  • Egypt
  • Israel
  • Netherlands
Use your hands
Play
  • 82 votes

Our hands and hearts created this song. Use your hands is a gentle meditation to remind ourselves of the power we hold to do the beautiful small things as well as the incredible majestic things and be thankful for what is already there. Mixed by Lukas Gasser. Give the hand to someone is synonym to assist, help, aid, give someone a hand, give someone assistance, guide, convey, conduct, lead.

  • Alternative
  • Country
  • Background vocals
  • Mezzo-soprano
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Whistling / Humming
  • Acoustic guitar
  • Bariton guitar
  • Bass guitar
  • Slide guitar
  • Drum set
  • Madagascar
  • Netherlands
  • Switzerland
Breathe & Be
Play
  • 121 votes

Rona: I fell in love with Elly’s voice and vibe. Once she recorded her vocal track and guitar on the beat it was really easy to add my part, she framed the song so well with her music and lyrics. The beat is on the Downtempo darker electronic side and incorporates a lot of effects used in different ways and on various sounds to create an enchanting atmosphere. Elly: Rona created a mystique soundscape that tickled my imagination and the lyrics and guitar part came to me smoothly.

  • Alternative
  • Electronic
  • Improvisational
  • Indie Pop
  • Vocal
  • Background vocals
  • Mezzo-soprano
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Acoustic guitar
  • Sampler
  • Israel
  • Netherlands
Mountains of Men - Elly Kellner and Sandro Friedrich
Play
  • 22 votes

Elly: When I heard Sandro's music on his profile I immediately could hear these beautiful sounds on this song. I was delighted that Sandro wanted to add his Bansuri flute to it. If we got the chance to re-record this we would make the song longer with more instrumental space for the Bansuri melodies.

  • Alternative
  • Easy Listening
  • Background vocals
  • Mezzo-soprano
  • Singer
  • Singer-songwriter
  • Acoustic guitar
  • Belgium
  • Netherlands
  • Switzerland