14-Year-Old Sax Prodigy Grace Kelly Set for Stardom

Sibelius helps super-busy teenager juggle touring, recording and homework

She's played jazz festivals from Spain to Singapore, sells albums on iTunes and has already played with countless jazz legends - and she's only just turned 14.

Grace Kelly is one of the most talented young saxophonists to come along in many years. Amazingly, she has already recorded and/or performed with many notable musicians: Lee Konitz, Ann Hampton Callaway, Jerry Bergonzi, John Lockwood, Yoron Israel, Terri Lyne Carrington, Chris Potter, Adam Rogers, Christian Scott, Harold Mann, Esperanza Spalding, Doug Johnson, Ken Berman, Peter Kontrimas, Paul Broadnax, and Bo and Bill Winiker, among others.

Over the past three years, Kelly has played at some of the most renowned Jazz venues across America, including the Regattabar, the Acton Jazz Cafe and Dizzy's Club Coca-Cola at New York's Jazz at Lincoln Center. With two CDs and several TV and radio interviews behind her, she's been fielding offers to perform everywhere from local schools to jazz festivals in Spain and Singapore.  She has also participated in two separate ensembles which both won prizes in the International Chamber Music Ensemble Competition of 2005.

So Grace is not only (stunningly) talented, she is clearly one of the most time-challenged teenagers we’ve ever met.

An A student, Grace adheres to an extracurricular schedule crammed with lessons and practicing. Weekday activities include saxophone tutorials, jam sessions, piano lessons, dance classes, and vocal training. On Saturdays she takes an all-day class. Sundays she'll often rehearse with a Brookline Music School ensemble or take a monthly master class with Bergonzi, a tenor saxophonist who toured for many years with Dave Brubeck.

So anything that saves her time, AND allows her to do what she truly loves, is okay in Grace’s book. Sibelius, it turns out, does exactly that. “I love it most of all because it is so quick to set up and easy to use,” says Grace.

Beyond playing the alto sax, Grace also love to compose. She has invented songs, dances, stories, and plays since she could sing, walk, and talk, and composed her first song at age seven. From then on songwriting became one of her great passions along with singing and playing the saxophone.

“Sibelius is great for composing for me, because I can hear back the sounds as they combine right away. Also, it’s so easy to change one aspect of the score without messing with the others. It’s easy, and it’s fun,” says Grace.

When Grace was ten years old, she was inspired to make composing and singing her life’s goal, after she saw Ann Hampton Callaway perform at the Regatta Bar. Two years later, Grace met Ann again after a show at Scullers Jazz Club where they began a friendship that has become very special to them both. Ann was so generous to write the liner notes for Grace’s first CD “Dreaming,” where she wrote: “Singer, songwriter, saxophonist Grace Kelly has the boundless spirit and imagination of a natural artist. There is no telling how far this child prodigy will go with the limitless possibilities of her voluminous talents.”

As a songwriter Grace composes in many forms and styles of music, as demonstrated on the “Dreaming” CD, released in March of 2005. Grace’s original compositions range in genre from jazz to folk to pop. Even her nominally “non-jazz” compositions resonate with a certain jazz feel that emanates from her soul. The cover songs on the CD showcase her creative and unique arrangements of existing classics, allowing these jazz standards and others to come alive in a new and refreshing way.

She has grown up loving jazz and Broadway musicals, and some of her favorite musicians are Charlie Parker, Paul Desmond, Stan Getz, Lee Konitz, Cannonball Adderley, Johnny Hodges, Dexter Gordon, and Stevie Wonder. Grace is also drawn to vocal jazz, and the music of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughn, Billy Holiday, Betty Carter, Dianna Krall and Ann Hampton Callaway has greatly influenced her.

Grace already has a well-rounded approach to making music and improves rapidly in her saxophone playing due to the teachings of some of the best in the business. Grace currently studies saxophone with Lee Konitz, Jerry Bergonzi, James Merenda, and Jeremy Udden.

Her first introduction to Sibelius, in fact, was through her educators. “Three years ago I was introduced to Sibelius at the New England Conservatory Prep School, and I’ve been a fan ever since,” says Grace.

Between school, music, life and homework there’s not much time for anything else. “I try to balance my time as much as I can, and I have to say that Sibelius helps me do that. One of the best parts about Sibelius is the shortcuts, I think. Keyboard tricks that I’ve been learning that help make things even faster. Anything that saves time I’ll love!,” says Kelly.  She also likes using Sibelius when playing with other musicians, who find the scores very easy to read.

When asked about her future goals, Grace is pretty clear. ''My goal is having my music reach as many people as possible and touch them in a personal way. I’d like to continue to travel the world and meet my idols and play great venues.”

For most teenagers, meeting your idols, playing with them on stage, and traveling the world would be a dream. For Grace, it’s a reality. “I’m on the road a fair amount. I do a lot of composing and work from my laptop, and Sibelius Scorch has helped me a lot because I can download music, see videos, and connect from a hotel room. But I also use it on my home computer.”

Next time you are on the road, check Grace out. You’ll be floored by her talent. and her smooth, soulful sound. And check out Sibelius’ shortcuts too --  it seems good things really do come in small packages.

For more information about Grace Kelly visit www.gracekellymusic.com.