Grace Kelly

As Grace Kelly defiantly reminds us on The Other One, a standout number from her upcoming

Album, Trying To Figure It Out, she’s not looking to be like anyone else. “Got my own thing,” she sings over the song’s urban, trance-like groove. Although the singer and saxophone player has been acclaimed by critics and audiences alike as a jazz musician, the track’s exhilarating chorus, haunting keyboard hook and brittle electro edge show an artist interested only in playing what she loves labels be damned.

While a current Kelly concert might delight jazz purists with Great American Songbook standards, it could just as easily inspire mainstream listeners with Gracei-fied takes on the likes of Daft Punk’s Get Lucky, Coldplay’s Magic or Sia’s Chandelier.

But whatever the style, the 23-year-old seven-time winner of the Downbeat critics poll (as a rising star in the alto sax category) spices up the sound with the lyrical and soulful phrasing of her instrument. Kelly, who guested with the Jazz at Lincoln Centre Orchestra as part of the events surrounding Barack Obama’s inauguration celebration at the request of the ensemble’s director, Wynton Marsalis - remains as committed to superior playing as ever.

For Kelly, evolution is part of the jazz artist’s credo.

"I'm a very strong believer that jazz is about improvisation and about creating and spontaneity," Kelly once said in an interview. "That's what really drew me to it, but I think there's plenty of music that can fuse elements of jazz with its own type of sound whether it's rock or pop. I'm not into 'No, this isn't jazz.' I like everything that's good and I encourage people to think that way."

Kelly says she has been well served by applying those same jazz concepts to the personal demands of everyday life. “I really take the concept of improvisation and spontaneity in the music, and I live it,” she said.

That personal readiness for anything accounts, in part, for the open-spirited nature of her art. “I try to say yes as much as possible,” Kelly says. “If you have a closed idea of what you want in your head, and it’s only going to go this way from - A to B to C - you miss a lot of other things that could be popping up. And because you have such a small mind frame, you won’t be able to see those great opportunities.”

Drawn to jazz by melodic players like Stan Getz and Paul Desmond, Kelly also found in the music a freedom to express herself that she had not found in her classical piano lessons. Née Grace Chung in Wellesley, Mass., in 1992, Kelly started taking clarinet lessons in Grade 4 but quickly switched to alto sax at the age of 10. She was soon transcribing Miles Davis pieces.

Kelly recorded her first album, Dreaming, when she was 12. Even on that debut release, the music pointed to her future eclecticism by mixing the pure pop of On My Way Home with selections like the Beatles’ Can’t Buy Me Love, a medley of Blue Skies and In Walked Bud and the self composed odd-meter jazz instrumental G-Bop.

“My way has always been a mix of music I’ve listened to and loved, including jazz, pop and blues,” Kelly says. “Even when I made that first album, I was a total Broadway kid, so some of that even creeps in.”

Times Too (2005) was an ambitious double disc that mostly paid homage to jazz standards on its first half and explored classic Beatles and Stevie Wonder, along with some innocent and catchy originals, on its second. Every Road I Walked (2006) followed, further refining Kelly’s ability to blend genres. Self-penned tracks like Filosophical Flying Fish, with its second-line groove, and the easily accessible charmer Finish Line sounded quite at home with a sweet and sensitive reading of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, a winning excursion into bossa nova with Samba de Verao and a lightly funky Summertime.

Kelly, 14 at the time of the album’s release, received the first of her ASCAP Foundation awards for the title track and was invited to perform with the Boston Pops. For the occasion, she wrote her first full orchestral arrangement, adapting the award winning piece.

Lee Konitz, the influential composer and alto sax player, who had been Kelly’s teacher and mentor since she was 13, became her collaborator on the 2008 release GRACEfulLEE, which featured the two stretching out with a stellar band made up of guitarist Russell Malone, bassist Rufus Reid and drummer Matt Wilson. An almost 10minute take on Konitz’s Thingin’, the stately, jointly-composed title track and taut, unaccompanied improvised miniatures like Alone Together and Buzzing Around were among the highlights. The album was a critical triumph as well, drawing a 4-and-½-star review in the jazz bible Downbeat, an endorsement that later earned it a spot in the magazine’s Best Albums of the 2000s issue. “Her duet with Malone on Just Friends is stunning in its simplicity and feeling how can a teenager communicate this depth of expression?,” the publication’s Michael Jackson wrote in his appraisal.

Mood Changes, released in 2009, found Kelly playing tenor, alto and soprano sax on her most Self-assured work to that point. The bouncy, swinging Happy Theme Song set a celebratory, searching tone best showcased in smart, inventive arrangements of Comes Love, Ain’t No Sunshine and I Want To Be Happy.

A second auspicious studio collaboration followed when another alto sax legend, Phil Woods, 80 at the time, teamed up with Kelly, then 18, for The Man With the Hat (2011), which also brought a tour to promote the album. Master and protegée traded ideas on four of the disc’s seven performances, including the swinging title track and a stunning reading of Billy Strayhorn’s Ballad For Very Sad and Very Tired Lotus Eaters.

“We jammed together through I'll Remember April,” Woods said of his first musical encounter with Kelly. “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!"

Kelly added to her musical pallette later that year by releasing the reflective jazz-gospel set Grace, most of which featured her and inspirational jazz pianist George Russell Jr. putting their own stamp on traditional spirituals, without further accompaniment. Among the few exceptions, Kelly’s melodic overdubbed solo piece Grace Alone and a joyous, infectious Let There Be Peace on Earth with percussionist Jamey Haddad from Paul Simon’s band were every bit as satisfying.

By then, the music sounded as if it were coming from a deeper place.

“I really believe in universal energy and vibrational energy, and I think music comes from that place,” Kelly says. “So it would be safe to say that music is my religion.”

Kelly also graduated from the Berklee College of Music in 2011, with a degree in professional music. She has taught residency workshops there since 2012. That year also brought another important opportunity to pass on her musical knowledge: the U.S. State Department sent her on an international speakers tour to be an ambassador of jazz and educate the people of Madagascar and the Comoros Islands about the music.

“The folks in the Comoros Islands had never heard of legends like Louis Armstrong or Miles Davis,” Kelly said. “It was a challenging and exciting task.”

The dynamic 2013 Live at Scullers disc offered a country-flavoured original, Kiss Away Your Tears, among other self-penned performances and a couple of jazz standards. The 2014 EP Working For the Dreamers featured gems like the urban, soft R&B of Touched By An Angel and the pulsating electro beat of Cold Cold Water, keeping the momentum of change in the foreground of Kelly’s creative agenda.

Trying To Figure It Out, due in February 2016, finds Kelly once again following her restless artistic spirit. The new work explores, in her words, “the world of jazz and beyond.” Fittingly, the album’s musical setting shifts from acoustic, conventional jazz (as typified by her touching version of Somewhere Over the Rainbow, a live favourite) to a genre-bending approach, with more contemporary production values.

Blues For Harry Bosch perfectly illustrates the concept, appearing in two versions - as a retro-jazz piece with a film nour-ish feel and as a thoroughly contemporary remix with a clubby trance groove. The track was written for the Emmy-nominated Amazon Prime series Bosch, in which Kelly will appear when the jazz-loving title character, an L.A. homicide detective, stops into Catalina’s Jazz Club in Hollywood to see her perform during the show’s second season.

Artists ranging from Randy Brecker to Huey Lewis have praised Kelly. Jazz and mainstream media including Jazz Times, All About Jazz, the L.A. Times and CNN have raved about her music. Headlining sets at all major jazz festivals, from Montreux to Newport to Montreal, have drawn more fans with each year. Awards continue to come. But Kelly says she has never lost sight of a larger picture.“I think everybody comes to life with a calling,” Kelly says. “I’ve been super blessed that my calling in life has been music and that I found it from an early age. But what I really hope my music brings to people is healing. There’s nothing that makes me feel better than when somebody, after a show, says `You lifted me up.’” Is it the main reason she plays? Her response comes without hesitation: “It’s the only reason.”

Awards

- Named seven times in the annual Downbeat Magazines 2009, 2010 ,2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 Critics Poll as one of the Alto Saxophone "Rising Star” (Youngest Ever named to critics poll) Nominated “Breakthrough Artist of the Year” 2013 SiriusXM Watercolors Downbeat Magazine Readers Poll Named Alto Saxophone, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015 Winner New England Music Awards - Jazz Act of the Year 2013 Winner NATIONAL Jazz Act Of The Year in 2012 Phoenix "Best Music Poll" "Top Ten College Women 2011", Glamour Magazine 54th annual competition winner. -CNN “Making of a Prodigy” feature story. - Recipient of the ASCAP Foundation 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 and 2013 Young Jazz Composers Award - Voted "Best Jazz Act” in Boston four consecutive years 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2011 FNX/Phoenix Best Music Poll - Voted "Jazz Act of the Year" 2008 and 2010 Boston Music Awards -Nominated "Jazz Act of the Year" 2008 thru 2013 Boston Music Awards - Winner Jimmy Woode Award Saxophone Soloist, Tuscia in Jazz Italy - Finalist 2009 Jazz A Juan Revelations, Les Pins, France - First ever recipient of the "Brad Delp Rising Star Award” - 2009 Limelight Magazine Music Awards - Recipient of the 2008 Francis B. Lanier Award New England Conservatory Prep School (Youngest ever and first non-classical musician to receive the award.) - Performed winning composition "Every Road I Walked” at the 2007 ASCAP Foundation Annual Awards in New York. - 2006-2009 Winner of twelve (12) Downbeat Magazine Student Music Awards. Jazz Soloist, Jazz Vocalist, Pop/Rock Blues Soloist, Composition, Extended Composition, Arrangement - Recipient of the Berklee College of Music Superior Musicianship Award  at 2007 Berklee High School Jazz Festival - Grace Kelly was the youngest ever winner of Fish Middleton Jazz Scholarship at the 2006 East Coast Jazz Festival. - Winner International Songwriting Competitions in 2006 & 2007 for "Filosophical Flying Fish” (Every Road I Walked) and ISC 2008 for "101” - Grace Kelly was judged the top woodwind soloist and the top vocal alto soloist at the 2007 Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival - 2008 Gibson/Baldwin Grammy Jazz Ensemble - 2007 Betty Carter Jazz Ahead at the Kennedy Center in Wash. D.C. - 2007 Steans Institute at Ravinia, - 2006, 2007 and 2008 Brubeck Institute Summer Jazz Colony, - 2006, 2007 and 2008 Stanford Jazz Residency Program.

Gear

Yamaha Alto Saxophone 82Z Yanikasawa curved soprano saxophone Vandoren Alto and soprano reeds Sibelius Software

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New Releases from Ernesto Cervini, Remy Le Boeuf, Grace Kelly, Dan Pugach With Birthday Shoutouts to Miriam Makeba, Keely Smith, Carole Bayer Sager & More

by Mary Foster Conklin
March 18, 2024

Women's History Month continues with new releases from Ernesto Cervini's Turboprop, Remy Le Boeuf's Assembly of Shadows, Grace Kelly, Dan Pugach Big Band and Cecilia Sanchietti, with birthday shoutouts to Miriam Makeba, Eric Comstock, Anat Fort, Marya Lawrence, Rachelle Garniez, Frank Senior, Keely Smith, Carol Sloane, Tomoko Ohno and Carole Bayer Sager, among others. Thanks for listening and please support the artists you hear by seeing them live and online. Purchase their music so they can continue to distract, comfort, ...

Radio & Podcasts

Pop - Jazz - Why Not Both?

by Patrick Burnette
June 27, 2019

Jazz can struggle to find an audience, so artists are always looking for ways to appeal to a broader listenership while keeping their artistic hearts pure. In this episode, the boys look at four albums that, with much success, try to bridge the gap between jazz and more popular forms of music, along with a more “hard-core" live album that takes no prisoners -but at least offers sexy cover-art. Sigur Ros and the early -and very strange -days of Danny ...

Interview

Grace Kelly: Free From Boundaries

by Doug Hall
January 27, 2018

If you look at all the accomplishments of musical prodigy Grace Kelly, (acclaimed jazz saxophonist, singer, entertainer, songwriter and composer) it doesn't immediately register that that she is just 25 years old. With a resume that includes a CD release (Dreaming in 2005) at 12, a special guest artist performance with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops 2007 Jazz Series at 14, and at 15 an invitation by Wynton Marsalis, in 2008, to play with Dave Brubeck for the “Let ...

Album Review

Grace Kelly: Grace Kelly: Live at Scullers

Read "Grace Kelly: Live at Scullers" reviewed by Larry Taylor

by Larry Taylor
February 12, 2013

Grace Kelly is indeed a prodigy on alto sax, having made her first recording at 12. Two years ago, at 18, her sixth album was released The Man with the Hat (Pazz Productions), a collaboration with the renowned Phil Woods on alto. That CD turned up the spotlight on her genius, bringing her increased attention. She shined in duets with Woods and had ample space to stretch in solos, playing mostly standards. She also adequately sang two songs. ...

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Album Review

Grace Kelly / Phil Woods: Man With the Hat

Read "Man With the Hat" reviewed by Larry Taylor

by Larry Taylor
January 22, 2011

Jazz veteran Phil Woods carries the alto sax torch from Charlie Parker, following in the footsteps of Art Pepper, Cannonball Adderley and Lee Konitz. Now he bestows the honor on 18-year-old altoist/vocalist Grace Kelly, its light shining on Man With A Hat. Woods, 80, with over a half-century of playing, first met Kelly in 2006 when she was 14 and attending the Stanford Jazz Residency Program in California, where Woods was an instructor. He encouraged her and, ...

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Album Review

Grace Kelly and Lee Konitz: GRACEfulLEE

Read "GRACEfulLEE" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
July 10, 2008

Most sixteen year old musicians are honing their chops in the high school marching and concert bands. Some of the luckier ones attend a school that has a jazz band where a beginner can get a taste of improvisation. Sixteen year old alto saxophonist Grace Kelly--a testament to joyful precocious talent and a killer support system--trades licks with the legendary Phil Woods and records a CD, GRACEfullLEE, with the iconic Lee Konitz.Kelly's previous CD, Every Road I Walked ...

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Album Review

Grace Kelly: Every Road I Walked

Read "Every Road I Walked" reviewed by Dan McClenaghan

by Dan McClenaghan
March 1, 2007

Singer, songwriter and alto saxophonist Grace Kelly's photograph--and her smiling face--grace the cover of her third release, Every Road I Walked. She's about as cute as a young woman can be, but at fourteen years of age (almost fifteen), you have to wonder about her artistic maturity and depth. A clue: she's wearing Phil Woods' hat, bestowed upon her, onstage, by the alto sax legend after she'd joined him to play “I'll Remember April" at the Pittsfield City Jazz Festival ...

Performance / Tour

Chelsea Table + Stage: New York's New Hotspot

Source: Scott Thompson Public Relations
September 15, 2021

Chelsea Table + Stage is New York's newest hotspot for intimate dining and music. Offering a wide variety of American-fare menu items, with curated wine + cocktails, audiences can experience some of the best touring performers in the world featured alongside local emerging artists. Chelsea Table + Stage opens the doors to hospitality, entertainment, and enjoyment every night, featuring state-of-the-art sound and lighting, a 10-seat in-theatre bar, lofted VIP mezzanine for private groups, and table seating for the perfect date ...
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Video / DVD

StLJN Saturday Video Showcase: It's "Go Time" for Grace Kelly

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
February 9, 2019

This week, let's check out some videos featuring saxophonist and singer Grace Kelly, who's coming to St. Louis to perform starting Wednesday, February 13 through Sunday, February 17 at Jazz St. Louis. Already a music business veteran at age 26, Kelly grew up in the Boston area, recording and releasing her first album when she was just 12 years old. She subsequently earned her GED at 16, and went on to study at the New England Conservatory and Berklee, graduating ...
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Performance / Tour

Jazz this week: Grace Kelly, Steve Swell Quintet, Kevin Eubanks, a benefit for Puerto Rico, and more

Source: St. Louis Jazz Notes by Dean Minderman
October 4, 2017

The fall presenting season is gathering some momentum this week, as the calendar of jazz and creative music for the next few days in St. Louis includes three significant touring headliners- two of whom are making their local debuts- plus a benefit raising money for hurricane relief in Puerto Rico, and more. Let's go to the highlights... Wednesday, October 4 Saxophonist and singer Grace Kelly makes her St. Louis debut in the first of four nights at Jazz at the ...
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Event

Tickets Moving Fast For May 14 Memorial Concert For Phil Woods In Pittsfield, Mass.

Source: Ed Bride Associates
April 28, 2016

Tribute in Pittsfield, Mass., to Feature the Jazz Master’s Protégé Grace Kelly With Brian Lynch, Bill Mays, Steve Gilmore and Bill Goodwin Berkshires Jazz, Inc. has announced that tickets are on sale, and moving briskly, for the May 14 memorial concert in honor of the late alto saxophonist Phil Woods. To take place at Barrington Stage, in Pittsfield, Mass., the tribute will be performed by a gathering of the NEA Jazz Master’s quintet, with Brian Lynch (trumpet), Bill Mays (piano), ...
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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Grace Kelly

Source: Michael Ricci
May 15, 2014

Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Grace Kelly

Source: Michael Ricci
May 15, 2013

Recording

A "Sweet Sweet" Valentine From Grace Kelly

Source: Great Scott P.R.oductions
January 31, 2013

Crossover single from the jazz prodigy bodes to be her first mainstream hit Gainesville, FL: After wowing the straight-ahead jazz world and garnering worldwide acclaim, 20-year-old wunderkind Grace Kelly has set her sights upon winning hearts in the mainstream with an infectious crossover confection that will be delivered on Valentine’s Day. Putting the saxophone aside to charm with her enchanting voice, the lilting stomp and clap single, “Sweet Sweet Baby,” will be released by Woodward Avenue Records accompanied by a ...
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Birthday

Jazz Musician of the Day: Grace Kelly

Source: Michael Ricci
May 15, 2012

Performance / Tour

Jazz Sax Stars Grace Kelly and Phil Woods Perform in Rockport on December 11

Source: MassJazz: Jazz in Massachusetts
December 11, 2011

Star jazz saxophonists Grace Kelly and Phil Woods are performing together in concert for two shows at the Shalin Liu Performance Center in Rockport on Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 2:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. Tickets are $39-$49 and can purchased online or by calling 978 546-7391. Kelly is an 18 year old rising jazz star in the music world, who has already toured the world and recorded several award-winning albums. Woods is a veteran jazz legend whose illustrious career ...
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Interview

Youth and Grace

Source: Rifftides by Doug Ramsey
November 25, 2011

The past few days, Rifftides has been unavoidably concerned with deaths and with musicians aged 80 or older. Am I the only one ready for an infusion of youth? Grace Kelly, born in 1992, may not be an elected representative of the talented teenagers in jazz, but she gets the nod here because for several years she has been playing well and developing steadily, and I just saw her new video, and it made me feel good. See if it ...
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"Norah Jones for Smart People" New York Music Daily "The next name in jazz? Sax player and singer Grace Kelly may well be it." - Without A Net "(Kelly) is an artist determined to find her own path. Yes, she’s an ingénue who’s come far in a short time. -Downbeat Magazine It feels very much like she’s conquered Montreal. Amazing Grace, indeed. - The Artery "What if I told you that the future of jazz, which many have pronounced dead or dying in the last two decades, rested in the hands of a 16-year-old Korean American saxophonist named Grace Kelly? ….I’ve heard the future of jazz and it is Grace Kelly.” ....David Was, NPR’s Day to Day "Jazz has had its share of prodigies over the years, as well as players — Miles Davis was one — who established their creative credentials while they were barely out of their teens …..few teenage horn players, and even fewer who are female, have drawn much attention in recent years. With the exception, that is, of Grace Kelly, a 15-year-old alto saxophonist and singer Grace Kelly. Grace plays with stunning maturity and an extraordinary command of her instrument.” ....Don Heckman, Special to The LA Times "I love this record…This young lady has bags of talent." ....Michael Jackson, Downbeat "Has she really got it?” …. the answer turns out to be, "Yes.” ....William Ruhlman, JazzTimes "What gave the evening a "star is born" dramatic tension was the playing of an amazing alto saxophonist, Grace Kelly.” ....Mike Drew, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel "Grace Kelly is still on. No mere flash in the pan, Grace Kelly is here to stay.” ....Ken Dryden, All About Jazz "To say that Kelly plays with maturity beyond her years is to make the understatement of the decade. She has a strong, bright, centered sound, great harmonic and melodic command, and time and technique to burn... Make no mistake; Ms. Kelly has got the goods.” ....Billy Kerr, Saxophone Journal"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." —Donald Brown

"Grace Kelly plays with intelligence, wit and feeling. She has a great amount of natural ability and the ability to adapt that is the hallmark of a first-class jazz musician." —Wynton Marsalis

"Ten years ago I was asked by someone where the new Bird was going to come from. I said, half-jokingly, that it might be a dwarf, Albino woman from Africa. Jazz seems to be floundering right now, and we don't have a clear-cut leader. Maybe Grace Kelly is the one. You never know." —Phil Woods

“Her voice is sweet and soulful, bridging the vocal traditions of jazz and pop music in an authentic, original way. Her sensitivity, control and focus as an alto saxophonist is impressive. What knocked me out in particular is her songwriting.” —Ann Hampton Callaway, New York City

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Primary Instrument

Saxophone

Location

Los Angeles

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

Skype Lessons I'm excited to now have SKYPE LESSONS available!! Besides performing and writing, my other love is teaching others. I have been all over teaching workshops for all levels including residencies at Berklee College of Music, Kennedy Center, festivals such as Montreux Festival, Lionel Hampton Jazz festivals and Universities all over the US and abroad. Along with that I also teach private lessons and very much enjoy diving in with a student and seeing what I can help with. Individual Private lessons are formatted for the level of the student and with the help of technology we can do it wherever, whenever. All levels are welcomed; you are also welcomed to gift others with a lesson as well. I'll be teaching lessons for saxophone, vocals and composition/small group arranging We'll cover topics and techniques for sound, improvisation, finding ones voice, repertoire, and creating a unique performance along with a lesson plan for individual needs. Please contact me on the site for pricing and scheduling. Contact Grace

Clinic/Workshop Information

Primary Instrument

Saxophone

Location

Los Angeles

Willing to teach

Beginner to advanced

Credentials/Background

Clinic/Workshop Information

Link to Workshop Brochure http://www.gracekellymusic.com/assets/teaching/GraceKellyWorkshopsBrochure1 0.pdf Grace Kelly Workshop/Clinic/Master Class Series WS-1 - Improvisation In this workshop we explore different aspects of improvisation. I'll be teaching my concepts to the students along with hands on exercises during our time together. Many of the techniques/concepts will be explored to the depth that is appropriate for the level of musicianship of the class I am teaching. WS-2 - Connecting the melodies in your head to your instrument One of the hardest things about improvisation is translating the ideas you have in your head (melodies, rhythms, chord changes, notes) and simultaneously playing it on your instrument. Improvisation shouldn't just be about theory. It's not just about moving your fingers. Improvisation is about the musical ideas in your head (along with the theory you've learned) and spontaneous interactions with the band. Overtime I have learned how to translate the music I'm hearing in my head to my fingers. It's a slow process that involves practicing ear training, and singing out your ideas THEN finding the notes on your horn (or whatever instrument you play.) I've done a lot of workshops where I present my own ear training exercises to musicians I'm working with and they are very surprised how simple they are and yet very challenging at the same time. It's amazing how a whole new musical world opens up when you can truly PLAY what you are HEARING. Playing/singing melodic phrases and voice leading are key musical elements that are like the "connective tissue" for me when I'm improvising. WS-3 - Creating "Magical Musical Moments" with your band How do we create that "spark," that indescribable moment when you and your band are truly locked in? It almost feels as if you’re reading each other’s mind, it’s a type of synchronicity that feels higher than high. Improvisation is all about spontaneity and listening it's also about telling a story. We'll dive into exercises that make you and your combo sound much tighter as a BAND. We'll work on exercises that show you how to shape your solo, work dynamics into your song/improvisation and interact with your band members on a deep level. It doesn't matter what "level" you are. I can improvise with my band on one note and get some fire behind it. This is one of the biggest lessons I learned from my mentor and saxophone legend Lee Konitz. He talked about true spontaneity when playing with others. It's a frame of mind one has to be in along with an openness and willingness to experience the moment. While teaching past workshops it's been exciting to see student combos evolve (and very quickly too!) There have been times I've watched a combo play a song and then after throwing them some new ideas and techniques I watch them play the same song in a completely different light. It's great to see the students walk away buzzing with excitement and new ideas. We'll also go through improvisation techniques for one to practice alone in their everyday practice schedule. By practicing these concepts a little everyday your improvisations will get stronger. Just like a visual artist it's important for us to have our toolbox. We want to expand our palate, have more choices so we can ultimately feel FREE when we're doing the actual music making. WS-4 - Saxophone techniques The saxophone since the age of 10 has fascinated me, which is when I first picked it up. It continues to fascinate me every day and the possibilities are endless. In this workshop I will be talking about techniques I use on the saxophone. I'll also be talking about "finding your personal sound, bringing out the versatility of the instrument, and influences of mine. The workshop will be formatted to the level in the room. WS-5 - What is jazz? In this workshop I'll be talking about my story and how I got to where I am now. I feel like I've been breathing and playing music ever since I could talk. I started singing when I could talk, classical piano lessons at 6, wrote my first song at 7, saxophone at 10 and performing/recording professionally since the age of 12. In the past I've structured this workshop so there's lots of playing in between talking and plenty of room for conversation. If the workshop is geared towards beginners I like to talk about jazz, what improvisation is, and why as a young person I have found a fascination for studying this genre. If we have more intermediate advanced students in the workshop I like to get more in depth about my musical inspirations, techniques, how I go about practicing and addressing any specific music questions students have.

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