KELLIE While is one of the most exciting and original singer songwriters of her generation.

Her voice, recently described in the press as having "the dulcet tones of KD Lang, the soaring upper range of Eva Cassidy and everything in between", along with her fine guitar playing and magical stage skills are what makes her one of the most respected and loved young singers of recent times.

Over the past few years she has also developed her own original and distinctive songwriting style which somehow fits perfectly between the traditional and contemporary styles of her peers.

Whether singing her own songs or carefully chosen covers, Kellie has the rare ability to penetrate the hearts and minds of her discerning fans, who know no boundaries of age, class or musical preference.

Kellie was born to musical parents and cites her mum Chris While (While and Matthews) as her biggest influence.

"Being born Chris While's daughter is the best start in life a singer could wish for," she says.

At 13 she was singled out as a star of the future by the late jazz legend Betty Carter after being invited up on stage to sing with her.

Her break into professional music came when she was asked by Ashley Hutchings to front the legendary Albion Band in 1997, an honour never previously awarded to a singer only 20 years of age.

For five years Kellie toured extensively with the Albions in both the UK and Europe alongside Ken Nicol (Steeleye Span) and Pete Zorn (Richard Thompson) gaining invaluable experience in all aspects of her craft.

You can see Kellie While in action at the Tudor Folk Club, White Hill Centre, Chesham, on Monday, May 23, from 8pm