‘The Voice’: ‘Special’ Kaylee Shimizu Sings Quincy Jones In the Playoffs
Written by djfrosty on November 29, 2023
Somehow, Kaylee Shimizu makes singing look like a glorious gymnastics routine — all style, grace, strength, athleticism.
Hailing from Ewa Beach, Hawaii, the 17-year-old got everyone’s attention during the Blind Auditions with a cover of the Beatles’ “Golden Slumbers.”
She earned a four-chair turn. “We’re just stunned right now. Your voice was just dazzling, it was so creative it was so musical,” John Legend remarked at the time, her future coach. “You know you could win The Voice, right,” he added. “You have so much confidence delivering these impossible notes.”
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Then, in the Knockouts, more knockout stuff with a performance of Aretha Frankin’s “Ain’t No Way,” lifted from the late legend’s Lady Soul album from 1968.
Nothing would stand in Shimizu’s way of competing in the Playoffs, which she launched into with a cover of master producer Quincy Jones’ “You Put a Move On My Heart” featuring Tamia, from 1999.
Shimizu breathes blues, and jazz, into the song, punctuated with her trademark dynamite runs and big, showy high notes.
“It really is phenomenal that you are the age that you are, and your voice has this much control and depth and range. Your low voice is really gorgeous. I love the warmth in it,” Legend enthused. “The fact that you can do that and then go to those notes in the stratosphere that almost no one on the planet can hit, you’re ready for this. You are ready to be a big star. You’re so special Kaylee.”
Special, however, doesn’t always win talent shows. Luck can play a part in it. Bad luck, too, as Kaylee Shimizu found out. The teen was eliminated, as were Kristen Brown and Taylor Deneen.
Team Legend singers Azán, Lila Forde and Mac Royals advance to The Voice season 24 Live Round, where they’ll be joined by Huntley, Nini Iris and Mara Justine (Team Niall); Jordan Rainer, Jacquie Roar and Ruby Leigh (Team Reba); and BIAS, Tanner Massey and Kara Tenae (Team Gwen).
Watch Shimizu’s performance on NBC‘s The Voice below.