Award-winning singer-saxophonist-songwriter-composer Grace Kelly has built an incredible career in jazz, which includes the release of 13 acclaimed albums before entering her mid-twenties. In this Young Professionals’ Night webcast, Grace unpacks her stunning career in a chat with writer Will Friedwald. Join us as we dive into Grace’s musical journey — from her first album release at the tender age of 12, to her performance at President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration, as well as winning the John Lennon Songwriting Contest $20,000 Song of the Year Award for her song “Feels like Home”, and more. Furthermore, learn how she is adapting as an artist in the time of COVID-19.
Plus, we have a special treat: socially-distanced performances by Grace Kelly from her very own living room — including a special rendition of Arirang!
The New York Times on Grace Kelly: “…broad tone and tenacious flow on the alto saxophone, clearly in possession of virtuoso talents… impressive singing voice, flitting among a range of styles.”
Jazz Night with Grace Kelly
Monday, June 22, 2020
The Korea Society
350 Madison Avenue, 24th Floor
New York, NY 10017
About the Speaker:
An unequivocal musical prodigy, singer-saxophonist-songwriter-composer and band leader Grace Kelly has rocked the jazz world with sold-out concerts, 13 acclaimed albums and a resume that includes performing at the Hollywood Bowl and as part of the house band for “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert” – all before reaching her mid-twenties.
Kelly’s early career featured performances at Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration at age 16 and at 14 as a soloist with the Boston Pops playing an original composition arranged for the legendary orchestra; she has since then played over 900 shows as bandleader in 35 countries at venues like the Kennedy Center and Moscow Symphony Hall and for the Montreal, Newport, and Montreux international jazz festivals. Touted for her scorching saxophone stylings and purring vocals, Kelly has performed and recorded with renowned artists including Lin Manuel- Miranda, Dave Brubeck, Phil Woods, Huey Lewis, Harry Connick Jr., Gloria Estefan, Questlove, and Wynton Marsalis.
As the Winner of “Song of the Year” for her single “Feels Like Home” in the 2018 John Lennon Songwriting Contest, Kelly has also won multiple ASCAP Composer Awards, Boston Music Awards, multiple DOWNBEAT music awards, International Songwriting Awards. She has also appeared as a featured performer in films and television, including acclaimed documentary “Sound of Redemption: The Frank Morgan Story”, Amazon’s Emmy-nominated original series “Bosch”, and featured in the 2017 Emmy-winning Yamaha production “The Right Note”
Grace Kelly is a Yamaha and Vandoren artist. As a clinician Grace has created learning experiences for students at all levels; from Elementary through to College as well as the general public. Drawing from her time with the Masters of Jazz, she has taught saxophonists, singers, and other instrumentalists. Over the last few months, she has taught hundreds of students on her online workshop platform and is committed to helping the next generation of woodwind players develop their skills and find their authentic expression.
For more info about Grace, please go to:
www.gracekellymusic.com
instagram.com/gkellymusic
facebook.com/GraceKellymusic
twitter.com/gracekellymusic
ABOUT THE MODERATOR:
Will Friedwald writes about music and popular culture for The Wall Street Journal, Vanity Fair, Playboy magazine and other publications (and reviews current shows for Citiview). He also is the author of nine books including the award-winning A Biographical Guide To The Great Jazz And Pop Singers, Sinatra: The Song Is You, Stardust Melodies, Tony Bennett: The Good Life, Looney Tunes & Merrie Melodies, and Jazz Singing. He has written over 600 liner notes for compact discs, received ten Grammy nominations, and appears frequently on television and other documentaries. He is also a consultant and curator for Apple Music. Current books : The Great Jazz And Pop Vocal Albums (Pantheon Books / Random House, November 2017), Sinatra: The Song Is You! – New Revised Edition (Chicago Review Press, May 2018) and Straighten Up and Fly Right: The Life and Music of Nat King Cole (Oxford University Press, May 2020).
