Grace Kelly

Musical energy flows non-stop from the heart of the young phenom Grace Kelly. Lincoln Center artistic director Wynton Marsalis was so impressed with Kelly's three-night appearance as guest of his Jazz Orchestra that he invited her to join the ensemble at the Kennedy Center's Eisenhower Theater. Harry Connick Jr. heard Kelly in a master class one afternoon and brought her on stage to sit in with his band that night.

To this astonishing list of kudos and credits, Kelly now adds Grace, the seventh release on her PAZZ label. She comes to Indiana to share her saxophone playing, singing, songwriting, and band.

On Live at Scullers, her newest and eighth release, Kelly offers a set mostly composed of new material which shows off her remarkable versatility. Kelly boldly offers her mission statement on the opening track, “Please Don't Box Me In.” The title plea is made by a gifted musician and songwriter who sees no reason why the music she makes should be more single-minded than the music that she enjoys.

“I listen to a wide range of music, from Miles Davis to John Mayer,” Kelly explains. “Lately, I've been listening to more contemporary music and songwriters, and at the same time I've been more inspired to write songs. Growing up and learning the saxophone, I always listened more to singers than instrumentalists. Whenever I play a standard, I always make sure to know the lyrics behind it. I feel like words are a really big connection between myself and the audience.”

Tickets are priced at $20 (regular), $16 (discount for senior citizens and groups of 15 or more), and $12 (I-Card holder, students, and children).