Kristina Olsen (Venice, California, USA & Vancouver, BC, Canada) is one of the most entertaining and compelling performers on the international acoustic circuit. A superb multi-instrumentalist as well as an award-winning songwriter with a big bluesy voice, Kristina has audiences around the world coming back for more. Her mix of powerful songs ranging from sassy bottleneck blues to lilting ballads to swing jazz to raunch and roll (as well as her hilarious storytelling) makes for a diverse and satisfying musical experience, on stage, on disc and in book.

Born in San Francisco and raised in Haight-Ashbury during the 1960's, Kristina's approach to music and life was formed by that environment of vital cultural expression, social activism and diverse musical influences. With thirteen recordings (four on the Philo/Rounder label), a live DVD and an enhanced eBook with music, she has entered a brave new world, neither jazz nor blues nor singer-songwriter. Art music at its best without conforming to expected genres. Fresh, weird, beautiful and familiar all at the same time. Her newest project is developing chorale arrangements of her songs to bring local choirs to her gigs to join her on some selected songs.

(Rumor has it that part of a choir will join Kristina at Smith’s Alternative).