Born in Defiance, Kelly McLennan has over 35 years as a leader/sidewoman vocalist. Prior to moving to Columbus, Kelly honed her skills studying, listening and sitting-in with N.W. Ohio jazz greats including Lori Lefevre, Larry Fuller, Dan Faehnle, Scott Potter, Eric Dickey & Jeff Halsey at local venues like the well known Rusty's Jazz Club & was featured vocalist with The Scott Potter Trio & the Stan Sterner Big Band. 

Since 1989 Kelly calls Columbus home and has been a regular in the wedding, society & club scenes. A sample of clubs Kelly has performed at include Hyde Park Grill, 501 Jazz Bar, Natalie's Coal Fired Pizza, Franklin Park Conservatory, Valleydale, The Refectory, and she has been/is a featured vocalist with The Rick Brunetto Big Band, In Full Swing Big Band, Bone-a-fide Swing, The Jazz Central Big Band, Vaughn Wiester's Famous Jazz Orchestra, Jazz to Go Big Band, New Remnants, Guilfoyle, David Paul Unit, Dayton Jazz Orchestra & Cleveland Jazz Orchestra. 

Kelly is a guest vocalist on the albums of The Rick Brunetto Big Band, Lisa Clark & Vaughn Wiester’s FJO. Kelly was the youngest vocalist on Tom Carroll’s “Women in Jazz” concerts’ alongside talented Central Ohio greats: Tom Carroll, Hank Marr, Gary Carney, Terry Douds, Marie Walker, Mary McClendon, Jeanette Williams & Michelle Horsefield Carney. Kelly has been a side woman with various artists including John Ulrich, Bob Allen, Cornell Wiley, Joe Ong, Bobby Floyd, Matt Ellis, Andrew Waters, Jim Rupp, Erik Augis, Mark Flugge, Andy Woodson, Pete Mills & Stan Smith. 

She has & continues to perform at many festivals and series, including the Columbus JazzNRibs, Columbus Arts Festival, Newark Jazz Fest, Upper Arlington Festival, Defiance Jazz Festival, Defiance Big Band Series; PBJ&Jazz Series, COMFEST, Ashland Jazz Series, Galion Oktoberfest & Columbus Oktoberfest. Some appearance highlights include a performance with the Cleveland Jazz Orchestra on their Stan Kenton Tribute concert conducted by Vaughn Wiester; guest artist on the Heisey Big Band concert series conducted by OSU's Dr. Russel Mikkelson & a sold-out JAG performance “Music of the Harlem Rennaisance” alongside vocalists, Mary McClendon, Jeanette Williams & Lisa Webster at the historic Lincoln Theatre. 

Kelly has studied with the late Michelle Horsefield Carney, Sunny Wilkinson and Kevyn Lettau and has performed with national artists, Jon Faddis, Dorsey Brothers Big Band, Cab Calloway Band, the late Frank Foster and Louie Bellson. Kelly also teaches voice & beginning piano at Music Royale in Powell, Ohio.