From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Grace Kelly (musician)
Grace Kelly (musician)
Grace Kelly (born May 15, 1992)[1] is an Asian-American
jazz saxophonist, vocalist, songwriter, arranger, and
Touring
bandleader. Kelly became the youngest ever musician At age 14, Kelly appeared as special guest artist for two
voted to the Down Beat Magazine’s Critics Poll at age 16.[2] nights with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops 2007 Jazz
At 18 she released her sixth album, Man With The Hat, a Series. One of the selections Kelly performed was her
collaboration with jazz legend Phil Woods. award winning composition Every Road I Walked which
she also arranged for the entire Pops orchestra. [7]
Kelly opened the 2010 Newport Jazz Festival playing
Biography alongside Jamie Cullum.
Early life
Born Grace Chung, in Wellesley, Massachusetts to Korean
parents, she moved to Brookline, MA when she was two
years old. Her mother remarried in 1997 to Robert Kelly,
who legally adopted Grace a few years later, thus chang-
ing her name to Grace Kelly.[3] Kelly was brought up in a
family that greatly appreciates music and the arts.
Discovering the saxophone
Kelly grew up in a household that appreciated music es-
pecially the American Songbook, Broadway and jazz. Her
parents used to play Stan Getz at Sunday brunch and she With Jamie Cullum, after opening the 2010 George Wein New-
fell in love with “The Sound”. She wanted to play saxo- port Jazz Festival
phone but was too young at the time. Kelly began taking
classical piano lessons at age six, but changed to jazz be- She has performed in venues in the North America,
cause she liked making up her own melodies instead of Europe and Asia including Carnegie Hall, Rose Hall at
playing what was written on the page. Kelly wrote her JALC, Birdland, Kennedy Center, Detroit Jazz Festival,
first song On My Way Home at age seven.[4] In 4th grade, Blues Alley, Newport Jazz Festival, Montreal Jazz Festival,
Kelly took up playing the clarinet through her elemen- Toronto Jazz Festival, Boston Symphony Hall, Jazz Stan-
tary school, but switched over to saxophone privately dard, 50th Grammy Awards (After party), Mary Lou Wil-
later that year. At age 12, Kelly recorded her first CD, liams Jazz Festival, Ronnie Scotts, Duc des Lombard, Por-
Dreaming. While in the recording stages Kelly met Ann gy & Bess.[8]
Hampton Callaway, a renowned jazz cabaret singer who
offered to write the liner notes to Grace’s first CD. Of Kel- Collaborations
ly, she said “her sensitivity, control and focus as an al- Kelly has recorded and/or performed with Lee Konitz,
to saxophonist is impressive. When I played some songs Phil Woods, Dave Brubeck, Hank Jones, Wynton Marsalis,
of hers for the legendary drummer Victor Lewis, he said, Keith Lockhart, Frank Morgan, Kenny Barron, Cedar Wal-
’Wow I love her sound.’"[5] ton, Marian McPartland, Harry Connick, Jr., Esperanza
Spalding, Russell Malone, Rufus Reid, Matt Wilson, Ann
Education Hampton Callaway, Jerry Bergonzi, Terri Lyne Carring-
She left Brookline High School at age 16, earned her GED, ton, Dianne Reeves, Chris Potter, Adam Rogers, Christian
and began study at Berklee College of Music on full schol- Scott, Peter Bernstein, James Cotton, Jamie Cullum, Mon-
arship, where she is currently in her junior year. Kelly ty Alexander, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Geri Allen, among
studies or has studied saxophone with George Garzone, others.[9]
Lee Konitz, Greg Osby, Jerry Bergonzi, and Allan Chase.[6]
1
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Grace Kelly (musician)
Critical reception singer felt extremely calculated, underscoring the ways
she has been packaged, or has packaged herself."[10] Nate
Chinen, NY Times
Artist quotes "Grace is rapidly making her way up in the jazz music
"Grace Kelly plays with intelligence, wit and feeling. She world. Grace’s talents far outstrip others her age . . . So
has a great amount of natural ability and the ability to proclaims the teenagers web site. And this is no generic
adapt. That is the hallmark of a first-class jazz musician.” MySpace page, but (like everything associated with Ms.
….Wynton Marsalis Kelly) a slick, professional presentation... Ah, I wish I was
"I first met Grace Kelly at the 2006 summer jazz pro- more impressed with Grace Kelly’s saxophone playing. I
gram at Stanford University. I was amazed at her precoc- have been told many times that I should be impressed
ity and talent. Recently she sat in with me and the Jazz with it." Ted Goia[11]
Ambassadors Jazz Band at the Pittsfield Jazz Fest. and "What if I told you that the future of jazz, which many
we jammed together through "I’ll Remember April." How have pronounced dead or dying in the last two decades,
did she sound? I gave her my hat! That is how good she rested in the hands of a 16-year-old Korean American
sounded! She is the first alto player to get one. Hooray for saxophonist named Grace Kelly? ….I’ve heard the future
the future of jazz and the alto sax!” "Ten years ago I was of jazz and it is Grace Kelly.” ....David Was, NPR’s Day to
asked by someone where the new Bird was going to come Day[12]
from. I said, half-jokingly, that it might be a dwarf, Albi- "Jazz has had its share of prodigies over the years,
no woman from Africa. Jazz seems to be floundering right as well as players -- Miles Davis was one -- who estab-
now, and we don’t have a clear-cut leader. Maybe Grace lished their creative credentials while they were barely
Kelly is the one. You just never know.” … Phil Woods out of their teens …..few teenage horn players, and even
"Ms. Kelly is a phenomenon -- not a precociously tal- fewer who are female, have drawn much attention in re-
ented child, but a complete improvising musician. With cent years. With the exception, that is, of Grace Kelly,
Konitz, one of the great individualists in jazz, she is a a 15-year-old alto saxophonist and singer Grace Kelly.
peer." ……Doug Ramsey- Rifftides Grace plays with stunning maturity and an extraordinary
"Grace had invited me to play a few tunes on her new command of her instrument.” ....Don Heckman, Special to
CD but once we got into the studio there were many in- The LA Times[13]
spired moments and it turned out to be a whole Cd on its "I love this record…This young lady has bags of tal-
own. I gave her permission to play better than I, if she ent." ....Michael Jackson, Downbeat[14]
just couldn’t stand it anymore. Grace is a fearless young "Has she really got it? …. The answer turns out to be,
improviser, and besides that she is fun to be around." yes.” ....William Ruhlman, JazzTimes[15]
…..Lee Konitz "What gave the evening a "star is born" dramatic
"The future of our music is in good hands." …..Jimmy tension was the playing of an amazing alto saxophonist,
Heath Grace Kelly.” ....Mike Drew, Milwaukee Journal Sen-
"Well after reading the glowing reviews from many of tinel[16]
my peers on your CD jacket I expected something special, "Grace Kelly is still on. No mere flash in the pan,
but words can only do so much justice toward introduc- Grace Kelly is here to stay.” ....Ken Dryden, All About
ing your talents and obvious dedication to music. It sim- Jazz[17]
ply has to be heard...you know how to get to the essence "To say that Kelly plays with maturity beyond her
of swing, sound, and true improvisation and whether you years is to make the understatement of the decade. She
are playing or singing or composing this essence shines has a strong, bright, centered sound, great harmonic and
through and is the sign of a true artist at work. It also melodic command, and time and technique to burn...
goes without saying, that you have a maturity far beyond Make no mistake; Ms. Kelly[18] has got the goods.” ....Billy
your years. I look forward to following your career. I re- Kerr, Saxophone Journal
ally think you will have a big impact on the music world.”
….. Randy Brecker Awards and distinguished honors
"Grace Kelly is a unique and genuine talent. Great • Youngest ever named twice in the annual Downbeat
young performers are nothing new, but someone who Magazines 2009 and 2010 Critics Poll as one of the
possesses such ease of expression and musical personali- Alto Saxophone[19][20]
ty at such an early stage of her career is a find, indeed. I • Recipient of the ASCAP Foundation 2007, 2008, 2010,
can’t wait to see what her future holds!" …Keith Lockhart 2011 Young Jazz Composers Award[21][22][23]
• Winner Jimmy Woode Award Saxophone Soloist,
Critics quotes Tuscia in Jazz Italy [24]
"The problem wasn’t really Ms. Kelly’s modest voice or • Finalist 2009 Jazz A Juan Revelations, Les Pins, France
her coyly breathy delivery. It was that her turn as a
2
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Grace Kelly (musician)
• Winner of International Songwriting Competition
ISC 2008 for her composition "101” [37]
• Winner of two International Songwriting
Competitions in 2006 & 2007 for her composition
"Filosophical Flying Fish” (Every Road I Walked) [38]
• Judged the top woodwind soloist and the top vocal
alto soloist at the 2007 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival
[39]
• 2008 Gibson/Baldwin Grammy Jazz Ensemble [40]
• 2007 Betty Carter Jazz Ahead at the Kennedy Center
in Wash. D.C.[41]
• 2007 Steans Institute at Ravinia,
• 2006, 2007 and 2008 Brubeck Institute Summer Jazz
Colony [42][43][44]
• 2006, 2007 and 2008 Stanford Jazz Residency
Program.[45][46]
Discography
• Man With The Hat (2011) Phil Woods, Monty
Alexander, Evan Gregor, Bill Goodwin, Jordan
Perlson
• Mood Changes (album) (2009) Terri Lyne Carrington,
Jason Palmer, Doug Johnson, John Lockwood, with
special guests Adam Rogers and Hal Crook
• GRACEfulLEE (2008) Lee Konitz, Russell Malone, Rufus
Reid, Matt Wilson
• Every Road I Walked (2006), Terri Lyne Carrington,
Doug Johnson, John Lockwood, and special guest
Christian Scott
• Times Too (2005), Doug Johnson, John Lockwood,
• Voted "Best Jazz Act” in Boston three consecutive Yoron Israel
years 2008, 2009 and 2010 FNX/Phoenix Best Music • Dreaming (album) (2004), Doug Johnson, John
Poll [25][26][27] Lockwood, Jordan Perlson
• "Outstanding Jazz Act of the Year" 2008 Boston
Music Awards [28][29] Film credits
• Finalist 2009 ISC International Songwriting Contest
"But Life Goes On" - First ever recipient of the "Brad • Delta Rising. A blues documentary, featuring Willie
Delp Rising Star Award” - 2009 Limelight Magazine Nelson, Morgan Freeman and others.
Music Awards [30] • Guy and Madeline on a Park Bench. Musical
• Recipient of the 2008 Francis B. Lanier Award NEC contribution by Kelly.
Prep School (Youngest ever and first non-classical • Men In Green. A behind the scenes film documentary
musician to receive the award.)[31] with the Boston Celtics Legends hosted by Boston
• Performed winning composition "Every Road I Celtics legend Satch Sanders. Created by John
Walked” at the 2007 ASCAP Foundation Annual Ippolito and directed by award winning director,
Awards in New York.[32] Laura Bernieri. Music and soundtrack composed and
• 2006-2009 Winner of twelve (12) Downbeat Magazine performed by Kelly.
Student Music Awards. Jazz Soloist, Jazz Vocalist,
Pop/Rock Blues Soloist, Composition, Extended References
Composition, Arrangement [33][34][35]
[1] "Grace Kelly". Jazz at Lincoln Center.
• Recipient of the Berklee College of Music Superior
http://www.jalc.org/dccc/artists/
Musicianship Award at 2007 Berklee High School Jazz
artist09.asp?personID=739.
Festival
[2] "Down Beat Critics Poll 2009". Down Beat Magazine.
• Youngest ever winner of Fish Middleton Jazz
http://www.downbeat.com/
Scholarship at the 2006 East Coast Jazz Festival.[36]
default.asp?sect=criticspoll#altosax.
3
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Grace Kelly (musician)
[3] "Grace Kelly". JALC. http://www.jalc.org/dccc/ [22] "Ascap Young Jazz Composers Awards 2010". Ascap.
artists/artist09.asp?personID=739. http://www.ascap.com/press/2010/
[4] Henderson, Alex. "Grace Kelly". AllMusic. 0216_Young_Jazz.aspx.
http://www.allmusic.com/artist/grace-kelly- [23] "Ascap Young Composers Awards 2011". Ascap.
p713906/biography. http://www.ascap.com/press/2011/
[5] "Grace Kelly". JALC. http://www.jalc.org/dccc/ 0210_Young_Jazz_Composer_Award.aspx.
artists/artist09.asp?personID=739. [24] "Tusciain Jazz Past Winners". Tuscian Jazz.
[6] "Grace Kelly". JALC. http://www.jalc.org/dccc/ http://www.tusciainjazz.it/en/past-winners.html.
artists/artist09.asp?personID=739. [25] "2010 Best Jazz Acts". The Boston Phoenix.
[7] "Grace Kelly". The Boston Phoenix. http://thephoenix.com/bmp/boston/2010/
http://thephoenix.com/boston/concerts/artist/ jazzact/.
grace-kelly/. [26] "2009 Best Jazz Act". The Boston Phoenix.
[8] "Grace Kelly". The Boston Phoenix. http://thephoenix.com/bmp/boston/2009/
http://thephoenix.com/boston/concerts/artist/ jazzact/.
grace-kelly/. [27] "Grace Kelly". All About Jazz.
[9] "Grace Kelly". The Boston Phoenix. http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/
http://thephoenix.com/boston/concerts/artist/ musician.php?id=13619.
grace-kelly/. [28] "Winners List". Boston.com. December 5, 2008.
[10] The New York Times. http://www.nytimes.com/ http://www.boston.com/ae/music/packages/
2009/07/01/arts/music/01kelly.html. bma/list_of_winners/.
[11] http://www.jazz.com/jazz-blog/2009/5/6/who-is- [29] "2010 Winners List". Boston.com. December 3, 2010.
grace-kelly http://www.boston.com/ae/music/packages/
[12] Was, David. "The New Grace Kelly, A Young Jazz bma/2010winnerslist/.
Star". NPR. http://www.npr.org/templates/story/ [30] "International Songwriters Competition Winners".
story.php?storyId=92630955. Trueskool.com. http://www.trueskool.com/forum/
[13] Heckman, Don (2008-02-13). "Yes, theres room for topics/international-songwriting.
another Grace Kelly". Los Angeles Times. [31] "Grace Kelly". All About Jazz.
http://www.gracekellymusic.com/images/assets/ http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/
presskit/LA%20Times%20Review.jpg. musician.php?id=13619.
[14] Jackson, Michael (November 2008). "Grace Kelly/ [32] "Grace Kelly". All About Jazz.
Lee Konitz GracefulLee". DownBeat Magazine. http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/
http://www.gracekellymusic.com/images/assets/ musician.php?id=13619.
presskit/Downbeat%20Gracefullee.jpg. [33] "Student Music Awards". Down Beat Magazine.
[15] Ruhlmann, William (October 2008). "GRACEfulLEE". http://www.downbeat.com/
Jazz Times. http://jazztimes.com/articles/ default.asp?sect=sma_winners.
20405-gracefullee-grace-kelly-lee-konitz. [34] "Grace Kelly wins four student music awards".
[16] Drew, Mike (May 13, 2007). "Jazz Great Morgan Berkshiresjazz.org. http://berkshiresjazz.org/2008/
Wows Home Crowd". Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel. 05/grace-kelly-wins-four-2008-downbeat-
http://forums.allaboutjazz.com/ magazine-student-music-awards/.
showthread.php?t=21595. [35] Balkin, Nick. "Berklee World Jazz Nonet Performs
[17] Dryden, Ken. "GRACEfulLEE". All About Jazz. in DC". Berklee.edu. http://www.berklee.edu/news/
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/ 1854/berklee-world-jazz-nonet-performs-in-dc.
article.php?id=30890. [36] "Grace Kelly". All About Jazz.
[18] "Ascap Young Composers Awards 2007". Ascap. http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/
http://www.ascap.com/press/2007/ musician.php?id=13619.
020707_youngjazz.html. [37] "Grace Kelly". All About Jazz.
[19] "57th Annual Critics Poll". Down Beat Magazine. http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/
http://www.downbeat.com/ musician.php?id=13619.
default.asp?sect=criticspoll#altosax. [38] Symister-Masterson, Cheryl. "CD Title: Every Road I
[20] "Berkshiresjazz.org". http://berkshiresjazz.org/ Walked". Jazzreview.com.
2009/08/grace-kelly-named-in-2009-downbeat- http://www.jazzreview.com/cd/
magazine-critics-poll/. review-18781.html.
[21] "Ascap Young Jazz Composers Awards 2008". Ascap. [39] "Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival 2007, February
http://www.ascap.com/press/2008/ 21–24.". Lionelhampton.nl.
0207_youngjazz.aspx. http://www.lionelhampton.nl/
lionelhamptonjazzfestival2005.html#2007.
4
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Grace Kelly (musician)
[40] "News". Grammy.com. https://www2.grammy.com/ [45] "News in the Stanford Jazz Community & Beyond".
grammy_awards/News/ Stanfordjazz.org. http://stanfordjazz.org/archive/
Default.aspx?newsID=2776&newsCategoryID=3. newsletter/2009/newsletter_jan09.html.
[41] "10th ANNIVERSARY OF BETTY CARTER’S JAZZ [46] "Students and Faculty". Stanfordjazz.org.
AHEAD". Kennedy Center. http://www.kennedy- http://stanfordjazz.org/archive/jazzfestival/2007/
center.org/programs/jazz/jazzahead/ 2007highlights/students_faculty.html.
JazzAheadPR07.pdf. Persondata
[42] "2006 Summer Jazz Colony participants". University
Name Kelly, Grace
Of The Pacific. http://web.pacific.edu/x19772.xml.
[43] "2007 Summer Jazz Colony participants". University Alternative names
of The Pacific. http://web.pacific.edu/Brubeck- Short description
Institute/Brubeck-Summer-Jazz-Colony/ Date of birth May 15, 1992
2007-Summer-Jazz-Colony-participants.html.
Place of birth
[44] "2008 Summer Jazz Colony Participants". University
of The Pacific. http://web.pacific.edu/Brubeck- Date of death
Institute/Brubeck-Summer-Jazz-Colony/ Place of death
2008-Summer-Jazz-Colony-participants.html.
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Grace_Kelly_(musician)&oldid=437700872"
Categories:
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• 1992 births
• Living people
• People from Brookline, Massachusetts
• Musicians from Massachusetts
• American people of Korean descent
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