“Kelli’s unique style of mixing genres makes this album stand out.”
- Kids Rythmn and Rock
LISTEN HERE:
A little bit pop, Americana, and a dash of African rhythm. Add in some cajun, country with Japanese flair, (and dirty socks), and you have BABY NINJA! And bonus – this album comes with a comic book! Originality, a bit of ridiculousness, joy, empowerment, and abundant love… this album bursts open with the album’s title track, infused with a “Southwestern, retro-martial-arts spy vibe” underscored by this takeaway: NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE VERY REAL POWER OF A BABY!
GRAMMY® Nominated NANNY NIKKI,
CLAUDIA ROBIN
GUNN, AND STACEY PEASLEY
VOCALS ON
"WHEN YOU DANCE"
“A giant love poem from a parent to a child. You’ll want to sing to your kids and you’ll mean every single word.”
- PDX Parent Magazine
KELLI WELLI
SONGWRITER, RECORDING
ARTIST,CO-PRODUCER, COMIC DESIGNER
BRYAN DASTE
PRODUCER, ENGINEER, MIXER, MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST
FEATURING...
JENNY CONLEE OF THE DECEMBRISTS
HAMMOND B3 ORGAN ON "WATER BABY"
GRAMMY® Nominated
UNCLE JUMBO
FEATURED VOCALS ON "YOU'RE A SUNNY DAY"
BLAINE HEINONEN OF PRETTY GRITTY
ON DRUMS, VOCALS, & VOICEOVER
All portraits drawn by BELÉN TOSCANO
“Powerful vocals. Driving rhythms...
Her style defies categorization.”
- School Library Journal
CLICK TO READ THE COMIC BOOK (VIEW PDF):
Released with a comic book - Read along while you listen to the title track!
The BABY NINJA released in a special edition package, CD affixed to a comic book, designed by Kelli and illustrated by up-and-coming Latina artist, BELÉN TOSCANO
AND INTRODUCING...
BELÉN TOSCANO
ILLUSTRATOR & CO-AUTHOR (WITH KELLI CALDWELL)
Belen Toscano is a fun-loving 2D artist & animator with a BFA in Character Animation from California Institute of the Arts (CalArts). She is a proud second-generation American from immigrant Mexican and Nicaraguan families. Though a native North Californian coast expat, and raised through the torrential rain seasons of the Willamette Valley in Oregon, she’s still probably dreaming up stories from various fictional locations. She loves reading, gaming, serialized television, goofing off with friends, and discovering interesting fun facts. She lives in the Pacific Northwest with her chihuahuas: Pancha, Mimi & Bonita who served as inspiration for the dog in this book. For more of her artwork, please visit @cutie.spice on Instagram and her website www.cutie.vision.
KELLI CALDWELL / KELLI WELLI
SONGWRITER, RECORDING ARTIST, CO-PRODUCER, COMIC DESIGNER
Kelli Caldwell, who performs for kids as Kelli Welli, is an award-winning children’s songwriter, recently named the Grand Prize Winner in the John Lennon Songwriting Contest. Drawing on her unique upbringing and often inspired by the kids and animals in her life, Kelli’s wide-ranging songwriting is smart, fun, often hilarious, sometimes reflective and deeply sweet. Always genuine. Her original songs and lullabies weave wonderful tales, celebrate love, nature, different languages, and honor all the details that come with raising the amazing little people in our lives. Kelli has a Master of Publishing degree with minors in Japanese and German. She’s a member of the Recording Academy, Children’s Music Network, and Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators. Kelli lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband, boy/girl twins who also performed on this album, her black lab and huge, fluffy cat. Songs and stories for kids and the people who love them. Find more info on socials @kelliwellikids
BRYAN DASTE
PRODUCER, ENGINEER, MIXER, MULTI-INSTRUMENTALIST
Bryan Daste is a multi-instrumentalist, music producer, and recording engineer based in Portland, Oregon. He’s worked with a wide variety of artists, including touring Europe with GRAMMY® nominee Courtney Marie Andrews, sharing the stage with the Head and the Heart as a member of Matt Hopper and the Roman Candles, playing countless shows with Emma Hill and Small Souls, and playing on Laura Sullivan’s recent GRAMMY® nominated album Pieces of Forever. He’s contributed session work with Jeffrey Martin, Evan Phillips, Pretty Gritty, Myrrh Larsen, Anna Tivel and many others. As a recording engineer and producer, Bryan likes to find and highlight what’s unique about each artist’s music. He’s a member of the Recording Academy, and has his own podcast dedicated to the art of pedal steel. More about Bryan’s work at BRYANDASTE.COM.
“Instant convert. Fantastic music.”
- Space Station Kiwi
“You’ll want to sing to your kids and you’ll mean every single word.”
- PDX Parent Magazine
All portraits by BELÉN TOSCANO
BABY NINJA - Album Credits
Kelli Caldwell – songwriter, vocals, co-producer, claps, snaps, stomps
Bryan Daste – co-producer, engineering, mixing; backing vocals, voiceover, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, Dastecaster, pedal steel, bass, electric bass, bass VI, keyboard, alto & tenor saxophone, upright bass, banjo, percussion, theremin, mellotron, harp, kantele, B’s knees, music box, energy graph on #9, vocal horns, claps, snaps, stomps
Blaine Heinonen – backing vocals, voiceover, drums, hand drums, percussion, tambourine, cabasa, spoons, pots, metal bowl, bottle, shakers, African cowbell, car keys, bubbles, claps, snaps, stomps
Timothy James Uecker – acoustic guitar #5, #9, #10, #15, and trumpet; producer on #15
Mastering by Dana White of Specialized Mastering
Uncle Jumbo – featured vocals on “You’re a Sunny Day” (#2)
Ryan Segelken (age 9) – co-songwriter and featured vocals on “Ryan the Lion” (#11), backing vocals on #1, #3, #10, #11
Kira Segelken (age 9) – backing vocals on #1, #3, #10, #11
Bennett Lake (age 6) – backing vocals on #1, #3, #10, #11
Reagan Lake (age 8) – backing vocals on #1, #3, #10, #11
Jenny Conlee – Hammond B3 organ on #2
Steve Drizos – engineering on #2
Mike Danner – accordion #6 and #15
Jennifer Smieja – frottoir #6 and #13; voiceover on #13
Nanny Nikki – backing vocals on #14
Stacey Peasley – backing vocals on #14
Claudia Robin Gunn – backing vocals on #14
Sarah McCarthy – backing vocals on #6
Devon Newman – backing vocals on #13, voiceover on #13 and #16
Tom Walker – backing vocals on #13
Cat Bermudez – voiceover on #4, #12
Mika Bermudez (age 2) – voiceover on #4, #16
Kai Bermudez (age 5) – voiceover on #4, #16
Bill Righter – voiceover on #16
Pierce Righter (age 3) – voiceover on #16
Erin Righter – voiceover on #16
Deana Bhamidipati – voiceover on #16
Lydia Bhamidipati (age 8) – voiceover on #16
Carl Marshall – voiceover on #16
Ava Marshall-Thanasophon (age 13) – voiceover on #16
Ariya Marshall-Thanasoph (age 11) – voiceover on #16on – voiceover on #16
June Thanasophon – voiceover on #16
Aidric Newman (age 16) – voiceover on #16
Jack Newman (age 14) – voiceover on #16
Mark Newman – voiceover on #16
Karen Segelken – voiceover on #16
Larry Segelken – voiceover on #16
Grant Swanson (age 7) – voiceover on #16
Sierra Swanson (age 10) – voiceover on #16
Elliot Tsen (age 9) – voiceover on #16
Gabby Tsen (age 7) – voiceover on #16
Language guidance for “Frere Jacques in Five” – recorded in French, English, Finnish, German, and Spanish: Elise Boynton (Finnish), Anabel Garcia (Spanish), Natalia Perrault (French), Becci Priemer (German).
"A songwriter who has won win, place or show in every competition north of Kerrville or Winfield... really hits it out of the kid music park."
- Midwest Record
THiS iS ME
“Kelli Welli is a Portland kindie treasure!”
- Red Yarn
“There must be something in the water in the Pacific Northwest. Kelli Welli joins the host of notable talents from the region, such as Red Yarn, Johnny Bregar, and Recess Monkey.”
- GeekDad
"Care, precision, diversity, and underlying passion... Her take on this genre, not only music for children, but life itself, is desperately unique and places her very much on her own pedestal, unmatched by other artists. It is heartening. It is unique. And it is a true testament to what happens when you listen to children, rather than suggest what children should listen to.”
– Benny Thatcher
“While the music is often bold, Kelli’s songwriting skills are brilliantly on display with lyrics that are loving and supportive.”
- Kids Rythmn & Rock
Photo and header photo by: Alia Rose
Kelli Welli - Writing songs and stories for kids and the people who love them. Drawing on her unique upbringing and often inspired by the kids and animals in her life, Kelli Welli’s wide-ranging and award-winning songwriting is smart, fun, often hilarious, sometimes reflective and deeply sweet. Always genuine. Her original songs and lullabies weave wonderful tales, celebrate love, nature, different languages, and honor all the details that come with raising these amazing little people in our lives. Kelli’s newest album is available now with 8 Pound Gorilla Records.
Kelli’s been called, “hysterically and superbly talented” by fellow artists and parents often say, “This is music I can actually listen to over and over… and over… and still enjoy!” Alongside her wonderful friends and masterful musicians, the Portland, OR based artist shares tidbits from her life as a new mom, with songs she and her twins actually use to learn and encourage, or just to have fun and laugh along with, as well as songs she has written to honor all the little people she loves.
Kelli has a Master of Publishing degree and a B.A. in Speech Communication with minors in Japanese and German. She's been a prolific writer and songwriter for over 20 years, a board member of the Portland Songwriters Association for 8 years, currently a member of the Recording Academy, Nashville Songwriters Association (NSAI), West Coast Songwriters, Children's Music Network, and Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators (SCBWI)
2021 GRAND PRIZE WINNER & 2022 FINALIST - The John Lennon Songwriting Contest - Children's
2022 3RD PLACE WINNER - International Songwriting Competition - Children's
• 2023 - Top 5 PDX Parent Picks, PDX Parent Magazine
• 2023 3rd Place Winner - Dallas Songwriters Association Song Contest - Novelty/Children's
• 2022 National Parenting Products Award
• 2022 Winner - West Coast Songwriters Intl Song Contest – Children’s
• 2022 Finalist - The John Lennon Songwriting Contest - Children's
• 2022 Semi-finalist - Dallas Songwriters Association Song Contest - Novelty/Children's
• 2022 HM - SongDoor Songwriting Contest - Country
• 2022 HM - Mid-Atlantic Song Contest - Children's
2021 GRAND PRIZE WINNER - The John Lennon Songwriting Contest - Children's
• 2021 Finalist - International Songwriting Competition
• 2021 National Parenting Products Award
• 2021 Mom's Choice Gold Award
• 2021 Winner - West Coast Songwriters Intl Song Contest – Children’s
• 2021 Finalist - Great American Song Contest - Special Music
• 2021 Semi-finalist - UK Songwriting Contest - Children's & Christmas
• 2021 Semi-finalist - Dallas Songwriters Association Song Contest - Novelty/Children's
• 2021 HM - SongDoor Songwriting Competition - Country
• 2021 HM - Mid-Atlantic Song Contest - Children's
• 2020 Finalist - International Songwriting Competition - Children's
• 2020 National Parenting Products Award
• 2020 Winner - West Coast Songwriters Intl Song Contest – Best Children’s Song
• 2020 - Top 5 PDX Parent Picks, PDX Parent Magazine
• 2020 Finalist - Great American Song Contest - Lyrics
• 2020 HM - SongDoor Songwriting Competition - SoftRock
• 2019 Finalist - International Songwriting Competition - Children's
• 2019 Winner - West Coast Songwriters Intl Song Contest – Best Children’s Song
• 2019 HM - SongDoor Songwriting Competition - Pop
• 2018 Finalist - Local Roots Annual Song Contest – Americana
• 2014 HM - Artist in Music Awards - Pop
Photos by Jeremy Holmes
"A true testament to what happens when you listen to children, rather than suggest what children should listen to.”
– ARIA Nominee, Benny Time
contact me
hello at kelliwelli.com
503.476.5300
kelliwelli.com
press contact: Waldmania PR - elizabeth at waldmaniapr.com
Also see Kelli's grownup music at kellicaldwell.com