NELL & BEL
Nell & Bel are the dynamic singer songwriter couplet Cornell Williams and Belinda Butler. A combination like no other, Williams, a New Orleans native, and Butler hailing from outback Australia, offer a sonically and lyrically rich and heartfelt synergy rarely found in contemporary music. With profound roots in soulful funk, R & B and Americana, Nell & Bel have a sound that wraps around you and expresses their most true, honest, authentic essence. Nell & Bel put a warm and humorous stage presence on display that has entertained audiences in the U.S. and Australia. Nell & Bel also bring their undeniable chemistry and playful live performance style to renowned and iconic venues in their homebase of New Orleans, Louisiana, widely recognized as the cradle of modern music. Further showcasing their depth of talent and skill, Nell & Bel often collaborate with other high caliber, New Orleans musical mainstays like Derwin ‘Big D’ Perkins, Kendrick Marshall, Donald MaGee, Michael McDonald and Charles James.
Cornell Williams
Cornell C. (Nell) Williams has been wowing audiences all over the world as bassist for Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen for over 20 years. The New Orleans based funk and R & B band toured America and the U.K. with Grammy winner Bonnie Raitt as her opening act for two years before taking their much-sought-after sound and embarking on their own regular European tours. A gig at the iconic, 'Ronnie Scott's Jazz Club' in London is often at the center of these tours and the band enjoys hot commodity, draw card status not only at countless festivals and live music venues throughout Europe but across the globe.
Adding to his impressive array of live and recorded performances with Jon Cleary and the Absolute Monster Gentlemen, Nell has toured with and played on numerous recordings by other artists including gospel acts The Friendly Travelers and the Gospel Soul Children of New Orleans. Nell has also recorded and toured Europe with Doug Duffey, recorded an album and toured with Theryl DeClouet (House Man) - former lead singer of Galactic, recorded and toured with Bo Dollis and the Wild Magnolias and toured as a fill-in bassist for Michael Franks. In the rap world he was recruited as bassist for Busta Rhymes and Method Man for MTV's internationally-televised NFL Super Jam further showcasing his diverse skillset and creative style.
Nell is known for a deep pocket, precise execution and playing for the song and not himself. This expertise and outlook earned him a feature in Bass Player Magazine in October 2002 (page 22). He has further demonstrated this wonderful and artistic quality in session work for Disney productions and as the bassist/vocalist at the Blessed Sacrament St Joan of Arc Church in his hometown of New Orleans, Louisiana.
Not wanting to rest on his creative laurels as an accomplished and renowned recording and touring bassist and vocalist, Nell has successfully delved into the acting world and played a supporting role as Wendell Pierce's musical director and bass player in HBO's 'Treme', a critically acclaimed television series set in New Orleans post Hurricane Katrina.
Belinda Butler
Raised on a cattle station in northern Australia, Belinda has in so many ways been shaped by the landscape of her childhood, giving her an earthy appeal apparent in her performances and her ability to connect with her audience. “The isolation and vastness of the landscape was inspiring. As a child, if I wasn’t up to mischief, I would be making up songs. We had to make our own fun as a family and music formed a large part of that. We never really missed not having a TV or the other outside influences most people take for granted,” Butler recalls. Refreshing, authentic and with an honesty reflecting her native Australia, Butler’s songs are shaped by a seriously good voice that alternately shimmers and powers to the heart of things.
Belinda has performed at showcases and festivals both in Australia and North America. On a visit to Nashville, the singer-songwriter was invited to perform at the ‘Tommy Emmanuel and Friends’ concert. Her first self-titled EP was recorded over a one-month period in the picturesque Blue Mountains at Roger Corbett’s (The Bushwackers) ‘The Valley’ studio outside of Sydney. The track Neverland was produced by Mike Kerin (The Flying Emus) and Garry Steel (John Williamson). Tracks from the EP garnered national airplay and TV exposure in Australia, including an appearance on The Today Show and winning the ABC’s ‘Fresh Air Initiative’ with the song Microwave Oven. Microwave Oven also secured a place on ABC’s national playlist and along with the songs Neverland and You Know I’m There, was featured on ABC Radio National’s ‘The Daily Planet’. Belinda has been invited into the studio by several artists to sing on their albums and has had her songs recorded by fellow artists including award winning Australian singer Anne Kirkpatrick and Australian fiddle player, Mike Kerin. The song, Woman Inside the Girl (a duet with Jane Saunders) was chosen for Opening Notes, a CD compilation and booklet, given out as a gift to new mothers in northern Australia.
While living in Australia, Belinda had the honour of singing for the Indonesian President, as well as executives from visiting corporate groups such as Volvo Sweden, Ford America and African Life. She performed at a number of festivals including the Queenscliff Music Festival, Gympie Music Muster and Undara Rock & Blues Festival. As part of the Sunbird Trio in Northern Queensland, she toured extensively through remote outback Aboriginal communities and enjoyed a longstanding and popular residence at the atmospheric Bar 36 at The Reef Hotel Casino in Cairns. The Sunbird Trio also made a special guest appearance at famed New Orleans music venue, Chickie Wah Wah.
Belinda is currently based in the U.S. and is excited about her new single “Colorblind” due to be released in the second half of 2023.