Grace Kelly

GRACE KELLY ALTO SAXOPHONIST, COMPOSER, SINGER“How did she sound? I gave her my hat! That is how good she sounded! She is the first alto player to get one. Hooray for the future of jazz and the alto sax!" ………Phil WoodsGrace Kelly is a saxophonist, singer songwriter, composer/arranger from Brookline, Massachusetts. Having studied saxophone since the age of ten, she is rapidly making her way up in the jazz music world. Grace’s talents far outstrip others her age. Now just fifteen, Grace has already recorded and/or performed with many notable musicians: Lee Konitz, Phil Woods, Frank Morgan, Cedar Walton, Ann Hampton Callaway, Jerry Bergonzi, Terri Lyne Carrington, Chris Potter, Adam Rogers, Christian Scott, Billy Hart, George Cables, John Lockwood, James Cotton, James Montgomery and has performed in many notable venues in the U.S. and Europe such as Carnegie Hall, Birdland, Dizzy’s Club Cocoa Cola, Scullers Jazz Club, Regatta Bar, Kennedy Center, Blues Alley, Newport Blues Café, Boston Symphony Hall, Jazz Standard, Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, are only a few names. Grace has performed as far away as Tromso, Norway.Grace is also an award winning recording artist having released three CD’s as a leader. “Dreaming” 2005, “Times Too” 2005, and “Every Road I Walked” 2006Recipient of the ASCAP Foundation 2007 Young Jazz Composers Award for the title track of “Every Road I Walked”Winner of 2007 Downbeat Student Music Award, Arrangement “Summertime” (Every Road I Walked)Berklee College of Music Superior Musicianship Award at 2007 Berklee High School Jazz Festival.Winner of four 2006 Downbeat Student Music Awards, Jazz Instrumentalist, Pop/Rock/Blues Instrumentalist, Original Composition – “Fast Metabolism” (Times Too), Jazz Vocalist – Outstanding Performance.Grace Kelly was the youngest ever winner of Fish Middleton Jazz Scholarship at the 2006 East Coast Jazz Festival.Winner of two International Songwriting Contests in 2006 & 2007 for her composition “Filosphical Flying Fish” (Every Road I Walked)Grace Kelly was judged the top woodwind soloist and the top vocal alto soloist at the 2007 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival.www.gracekellymusic.comQuotes:“I first met Grace Kelly at the 2006 summer jazz program at Stanford University. I was amazed at her precocity and talent. Recently she sat in with me and the Jazz Ambassadors Jazz Band at the Pittsfield Jazz Festival and we jammed together through "I'll Remember April." How did she sound? I gave her my hat! That is how good she sounded! She is the first alto player to get one. Hooray for the future of jazz and the alto sax!"………Phil WoodsThis is Miss Kelly’s 3rd CD, and it’s a very nice one. Of course you know Grace is 14 years on this planet, and is all ears and heart. Beautiful sound on her alto, and some lovely phrases to boot! Lester Young asked a young player after hearing a technical display, “but can you sing me a song?” Grace can definitely do that. Good rhythm, nice arrangements, creative originals. She sings like crazy! What more could we ask for? …..Lee Konitz Dear Grace, After hearing your project, I'm convinced that your talent is definitely worthy of the attention of the Jazz community, and your future is genuinely going to earn a high level of achievement. ……Cedar Walton"The future of our music is in good hands." …..Jimmy Heath..........."the jazz world has another great reason to celebrate with the arrival of Grace Kelly. Her talent makes her a triple threat as a brilliant saxophonist, a very gifted composer, and vocalist with great feeling. Her playing represents everything I love about jazz, swinging, imagination, and the blues. You must check out this Cd ...........Donald Brown“I know of no explanation other than genius for this slender fourteen-year-old girl's attainment of maturity in her art. She has mastery of the instrument, passion, profound swing, and judgment that one would expect in a player with twenty years of professional experience.” ……Doug Ramsey“Hi Grace, Well after reading the glowing reviews from many of my peers on your CD jacket I expected something special, but words can only do so much justice toward introducing your talents and obvious dedication to music. It simply has to be heard...you know how get to the essence of swing, sound, and true improvisation, and whether you are playing or singing or composing this essence shines through and is the sign of a true artist at work. It also goes without saying, that you have a maturity far beyond your years. I look forward to following your career. I really think you will have a big impact on the music world.” ….. Randy Brecker