Grace Kelly, an unequivocal musical prodigy, singer-saxophonist-songwriter-composer, and band leader, has rocked the jazz world with sold-out concerts, 15 acclaimed albums, and a resume that includes performing at the Hollywood Bowl as well as a member of the house band for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert – all before reaching her mid-twenties. In 2022, she became the youngest member of Berklee College of Music’s Board of Trustees.
Grace’s early career highlights featured performances at Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration at age 16 and at age 14 as a soloist with the Boston Pops playing an original, arranged composition with the legendary orchestra. Since then, she has played over 1,000 shows as a bandleader in 35 countries at venues such as the Kennedy Center, Moscow Symphony Hall, and international jazz festivals. Touted for her scorching saxophone stylings and purring vocals, Grace has performed and recorded with renowned artists including Lin Manuel-Miranda, Dave Brubeck, Lee Konitz, Phil Woods, Huey Lewis, Harry Connick Jr., Jon Batiste, Gloria Estefan, Questlove, and Wynton Marsalis.
Grace won “Song of the Year” for her single, “Feels Like Home” in the 2018 John Lennon Songwriting Contest, and has been named nine times consecutively in the Annual Downbeat Magazine’s Critics Poll “Rising Star Alto Saxophone” from the age of 17 and winning the poll in 2017 and winning the Critics Poll in 2023 for “Rising Star Baritone Saxophone. She has also won multiple ASCAP Composer Awards, Boston Music Awards, and International Songwriting Awards. Grace has appeared as a featured performer, as herself, in films and television, including acclaimed documentary Sound of Redemption: The Frank Morgan Story, Amazon’s Emmy-nominated original series Bosch, and the 2017 Emmy-winning Yamaha production The Right Note.
Featured by Vanity Fair as a millennial shaking up the jazz world, Grace’s state-of-the-art brand of electro jazz-pop and inventive digital content reaching millions of fans across her socials. Grace has been seen in national campaigns for M&M and Subaru.
Grace’s latest release, “At The Movies: Grace Kelly with Strings,” with her fifteen piece large ensemble was inspired by “Charlie Parker with Strings” – one of Grace’s all-time favorite albums as well as her love of classic and contemporary movies. In this album, she reimagines some of her favorite movie music (Disney Medley, Back To The Future, High Society, Pirates of the Caribbean, Mission Impossible) as well as songs by legendary film composers (John Williams, Ennio Morricone) and contemporary artists like Billie Eilish’s “No Time To Die” with fresh arrangements encompassing her signature sound. In preparation for this album, she played sold-out shows in Orange County, CA, Rockport, MA, and Clinton, CT showcasing her abilities in playing and singing with a large orchestra.
In Grace's 2022 album, "All That I Need," she draws inspiration from Maya Angelou's empowering words, particularly for the anthem "We Will Rise," which stands as a tribute to global women's resilience. Reflecting on the challenges of the pandemic, Grace's music embodies courage and optimism, serving as a beacon of hope and empowerment. Her commitment to advocacy is evident in her collaboration with grassroots non-profit organization, She's the First, emphasizing the importance of amplifying female voices and defending women's rights through her music.
Given Grace’s experience on the stage, she is a masterful clinician specializing in jazz improvisation and stage performance. She has taught thousands of students to become more confident performers and saxophone players both online and in person. She is the co-founder of Saxy School with Leo P (of Too Many Zooz), an innovative online saxophone school for beginners and seasoned players alike. She has held a guest teaching residency at The Berklee College of Music and spearheaded the establishment of the Fred Taylor Endowed Scholarship Fund by organizing, emceeing, and performing in the All-Star Benefit Concert in 2017 which raised over $70,000 for the fund.
Grace is a Yamaha Music and Boston Sax Shop artist. She plays the 82Z Alto Saxophone and the YBS Baritone Sax along with the Vandoren Alto V16 A8 S+ mouthpiece, Boston Sax Shop Custom Alto Reeds 2.5 strength reeds, and Boston Sax Shop Superlative Alto Ligature.
CONNECT WITH GRACE:
Instagram: @gkellymusic
TikTok: @gracekellymusic
YouTube: www.youtube.com/gracekellymusic
Facebook: facebook.com/GraceKellymusic