This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Arts & Entertainment

Alto Saxophonist Grace Kelly At Chan's

"2011 Alto Saxophonist Rising Star" three years in a row, 19-year-old Grace Kelly will play at Chan's on August 27.

Grace Kelly, a young saxophone phenomenon and vocalist, will be performing at Chan's on Saturday, August 27, 2011 with legendary Phil Woods, 'The Man with the Hat.'

It's hard to believe that Kelly, who is just 19-years-old has been voted 'Best Jazz Artist of the Year' three consecutive years in a row in the FNX/Phoneix Best Music Poll.

Kelly also recieved the ASCAP Foundation's Young Jazz Composers Award in 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011 and won 'Jazz Artist of the Year' at the Boston Music Awards in 2008 and again in 2010.

Find out what's happening in Woonsocketwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Kelly began playing piano at age six and still composes much of her music on the piano. She composed her first song, 'On My Way Home' at age seven and has since released seven full length albums. At 16, she received her GED to graduate high school and received a full scholarship to Berklee College of Music where she is expected to graduate in December of this year.

Primarily an alto saxophonist, Kelly plays numerous other instruments and is an accomplised composer.

Find out what's happening in Woonsocketwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Lee Konitz, who Kelly has studied with since age 13 said of the talented young artist "Kelly is all ears and all heart."

Kelly herself believes, "Anything is possible."

In March 2004, at age 12, she released her first disc at the encouragment of her middle school music teacher, Ken Berman.

Kelly's second disc in 2005, 'Times Too' found her expanding her musical pallet. 'Every Road I Walked' in 2006 gave her her 1st ASCAP Foundation Awards and an invitation to play with Keith Lockart and the Boston Pops. In 2009 came 'Mood Changes' and her latest collaboration with saxaphone legend, Phil Woods entitled 'Man With the Hat.'

Her seventh release 'Grace' on her PAZZ Label marked a new direction for Kelly. With singles, 'Amazing Grace' and 'Blessed Assurance', Kelly opens up to be the next powerhouse in the Gospel Jazz World.

"Through music I feel like I am channeling spiritual energy that I hope passes on to my audience. It's amazing to see how people are moved by my music," Kelly said

To date she has played over 500 concerts at such prominent venues as the Montreal Jazz Festival, the Newport Jazz Festival, Lincoln Center, Carnegie Hall, the Kennedy Center and far away places in Europe and Asia.

Her collabortaions have included such artists as Dave Brubeck, Harry Connick Jr. and James Cotton.

With her impressive collection of awards and her universal appeal, Kelly is not just an artist for jazz lovers, she is music for the world.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?