Grace Kelly Quintet

Performance Guide

Cuesheet

Grace Kelly Quintet A Performance and Demonstration Meet young jazz saxophonist, singer, and composer Grace Kelly, who Los Angeles Times music critic Don Heckman described as “a startlingly gifted young jazz talent…with a glow that is just beginning.”

Jazz is a form of music through which an artist’s individual style clearly emerges, and Grace Kelly’s work is a good example. Get to know her unique sound as she along with members of her quintet perform well-known jazz standards and original works of music. You’ll also have the opportunity to learn the art of active listening, as well as pick up pointers on how to interpret jazz music.

Grace Kelly and the Grace Kelly Quintet: What You Should Know n

Photo by Jimmy Katz

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Considered a music prodigy, Grace Kelly began playing piano at age six, and took up the clarinet and saxophone at age nine. By 12 she’d recorded her first CD. Today, at only 21, Kelly has recorded nine CDs and performed in more than 500 concerts all around the world. Over the years she’s also picked up the flute, bass, and drums.

Grace Kelly is joined by band members, Jason Palmer (trumpet), Pete McCann (guitar), Evan Gregor (bass), and Ross Pederson (drums). The group tours together and has played at numerous famous music venues and jazz festivals.

Kelly is a graduate of the prestigious Berklee College of Music in Boston. Fellow bandmate Gregor is also from Berklee.

Performances for Young Audiences is made possible by

Jazz: An Evolving Art Form Jazz is a truly American musical form—and many people consider it one of America’s best contributions to the world of music. Jazz first emerged about 100 years ago in the American South, most distinctly in New Orleans, Louisiana. This seaport city served as home to people of African, French, English, Caribbean, and other backgrounds. It also became a melting pot for music from these many traditions. African American musicians fused elements of ragtime, blues, classical, and big brass band sounds to create this distinct new type of music.

After the first jazz recordings were made in 1917, jazz spread across the nation.

It evolved over decades, helped along by influential musicians. In the 1920s, trumpeter Louis Armstrong introduced improvised solos and Duke Ellington popularized big band jazz; in the 1930s, people began dancing to jazz music, thanks to the upbeat sounds of Benny Goodman’s and Count Basie’s swing music. Charlie Parker’s groundbreaking bebop of the 1940s led to Miles Davis’ complex “cool” style in the 1950s. Jazz moved into the 1960s with pioneers like John Coltrane and his modal jazz; the next decades brought more change— from fusion, which brought together multiple styles, to the neo-classical leanings of Wynton Marsalis and other “young lions.” Jazz continues to evolve today—building on its vast legacy of innovation and experimentation.

What You Should Listen For n

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At this performance/demonstration, you will hear a mix of new, original compositions and familiar jazz standards.

Jazz standards represent the collection of musical works created for Broadway shows and musical theater between the 1920s and 60s, and are considered the most popular and important jazz works of all time.

This repertoire or collection is also known as the “Great American Songbook.” From the turn of the last century through today, these classic songs have been performed and recorded countless times by a variety of artists.

Listen for how the standards allow for artistic freedom and interpretation, while retaining core elements such as melody and lyrics.

The Language of Jazz Here are some jazz terms you should know…

Improvisation Creating music or song spontaneously, a technique that requires great musical skill and creativity Soloing When a musician improvises by elaborating on the music’s melody and harmony in their own personal style Tempo The speed of the music Syncopation Stressing a note in an unexpected place, between beats, or on a weak beat Individual Personality When musicians create a unique personal sound while playing their instruments

Listen Up! To learn more about jazz visit www.kennedy-center.org/artsedge and click the tag “jazz”

David M. Rubenstein Chairman Michael M. Kaiser President Darrell M. Ayers Vice President, Education Jason Moran Artistic Advisor for Jazz Additional support for Performances for Young Audiences is provided by Adobe Foundation; The Clark Charitable Foundation; Mr. James V. Kimsey; The Macy’s Foundation; The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation; Park Foundation, Inc.; Paul M. Angell Family Foundation; an endowment from the Ryna and Melvin Cohen Family Foundation; U.S. Department of Education; and by generous contributors to the Abe Fortas Memorial Fund and by a major gift to the fund from the late Carolyn E. Agger, widow of Abe Fortas.

Major support for educational programs at the Kennedy Center is provided by David and Alice Rubenstein through the Rubenstein Arts Access Program.

Education and related artistic programs are made possible through the generosity of the National Committee for the Performing Arts and the President’s Advisory Committee on the Arts.

www.kennedy-center.org/artsedge Cuesheets are produced by ARTSEDGE, an education program of the Kennedy Center.

Learn more about Education at the Kennedy Center at www.kennedy-center.org/education The contents of this Cuesheet have been developed under a grant from the U.S. Department of Education and do not necessarily represent the policy of the U.S. Department of Education. You should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.

© 2013 The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts