Quotes

PUBLICATION QUOTES

“…broad tone and tenacious flow on the alto saxophone, clearly in possession of virtuoso talents…  impressive singing voice, flitting among a range of styles.” – NY Times  (July 2018)

 

“[A] jazz innovator… Making jazz young”   –  BILLBOARD

 

“her affecting performance, vocally and on alto sax, gave the song (Trying To Figure It Out) the solidity of a standard.” – Boston Globe

 

“If you want to see a great performance, hear great jazz musicians, and even feel like you can bring a friend who isn’t sure he/she likes jazz, then Grace Kelly is a must.”  – Sophisticated Living

 

“Charismatic and immensely talented… all the chops in the world.”  – Downbeat Magazine

 

“Grace Kelly goes from jazz prodigy to full-fledged musician” – NPR -Here and Now

 

“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

 

“Ms Kelly is a remarkable musician, not because she’s a brilliant player—that’s taken for granted—but because she has the judicious poise of a veteran…her melodic gifts shine. She really is something.” – The Observer/London

 

“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.” – Saxophone Journal

 

“Ms. Kelly is a phenomenon — not a precocious talented child, but a complete improvising musician. With Konitz, one of the great individualists in jazz, she is a peer.” – Doug Ramsey, Rifftides

“Kelly champions accessibility without sacrificing style.” – VILLAGE VOICE

ARTIST QUOTES

“Grace Kelly’s songwriting is as amazing as her voice. “Feels Like Home” is just one example of how her gentleness and subtlety can command attention and evoke strong emotion.” – Aloe Blacc

 

“Grace Kelly has an electric charisma on stage that instantly ignites the room. She is one of the most kind hearted, easy going people I’ve had the pleasure of working with.” – Jon Batiste, the bandleader for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert

 

“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

 

“Grace Kelly is a unique and genuine talent. Great young performers are nothing new, but someone who possesses such ease of expression and musical personality at such an early stage of her career is a find, indeed. I can’t wait to see what her future holds!” – Keith Lockhart – Conductor Boston Pops Orchestra

 

“A highly accomplished musician with a charismatic and contagiously uplifting stage presence.” – Jon Batiste

 

“Grace Kelly writes great songs, sings beautifully, is a world class saxophonist, and is going to be a big big star” – Huey Lewis

 

“Finest young saxophonist on the scene today.” – David Sanborn

 

“I first met Grace Kelly at the 2006 summer jazz program at Stanford University. I was amazed at her precocity and talent. Recently she sat in with me and the Jazz Ambassadors Jazz Band at the Pittsfield Jazz Fest. and we jammed together through “I’ll Remember April.” 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!” “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 just never know.” – Phil Woods

 

“Grace had invited me to play a few tunes on her new CD but once we got into the studio there were many inspired moments and it turned out to be a whole Cd on its own. I gave her permission to play better than I, if she just couldn’t stand it anymore. Grace is a fearless young improviser, and besides that she is fun to be around.” – Lee Konitz

 

“Grace Kelly already has her own story to tell on the horn, and there’s no doubt that she will speak volumes as time goes by. This veteran participant in the jazz scene is happy to have been around to witness her transition from prodigy to truly amazing Grace.” – Dan Morgenstern

 

“The future of our music is in good hands.” – Jimmy Heath

 

“Well after reading the glowing reviews from many of my peers on your CD jacket I expected something special, but words can only do so much justice toward introducing your talents and obvious dedication to music. It simply has to be heard…you know how to get to the essence of swing, sound, and true improvisation and whether you are playing or singing or composing this essence shines through and is the sign of a true artist at work. It also goes without saying, that you have a maturity far beyond your years. I look forward to following your career. I really think you will have a big impact on the music world.” – Randy Brecker

OTHER QUOTES

“Thank you for a wonderful evening. You did an amazing job! We are grateful for your talents.”

Vicki Kennedy, – Edward M. Kennedy Institute

 

You have a rising star on your hands with Grace Kelly. This woman has the aura of superstardom to me….an excellent sax blower, that memorable breathy voice, a tireless stage energy that sucks you in….and then there’s that infectious personality that is so real and always seems to be on, Wow!

– John Ertl, Producer of Jazz on the Vine @ The Osthoff Resort

 

Grace has single-handedly brought more young people to Oregon Coast Jazz Party than anyone else.

– Holly Hoffman (Music Director of Oregon Coast Jazz Party and renowned flutist)

 

“Grace, I love what you are doing and how you are finding a path that seems authentic to who you are and not just trying to plow the well-worn track of straight-ahead jazz players or pop stars. Keep it rolling!”

– Roger Brown, President, Berklee College of Music

 

Thank you so much for showcasing your talents and for doing The NAMM Foundation so, so proud during your Upswell appearance! I am still beaming from the experience. Grace, just wow. Your interview was inspiring, and your performance blew everyone away. Your voice has an old soul sound and your many talents as a horn player and band leader commanded the virtual stage in a way I haven’t seen before. You made the attendees in the chat feel like we were part of the show by interacting–all while playing, singing, and dancing! Thank you for your partnership and for your commitment to inspiring music makers of all ages and abilities. We are so lucky to you know!

– Claire Kreger-Boaz, The NAMM Foundation

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