I love the way the Rochester Jazz Festival has such a versatile selection of music. There is music for dancing and letting loose, music for the contemporary, the traditional, cacophonous, or music for quiet listening. There’s brass and strings, plucking and strumming. And while all of the music is great, incredible even, every once in a while there is music that is transformative. It’s the kind of music that touches a part of the soul.

Last night Grace Kelly did that for me. As this young girl wailed on her saxophone and filled Kilbourn Hall with sound, I sat in the very back of the balcony smiling in the dark as her rich sound enveloped me. At only 19, Kelly is confident on stage, artfully weaving dynamics and melodies with her voice and sax. Her cover of Summertime was remarkable and the audience erupted in applause and praise.

And then Grace Kelly came out for her encore. She quietly lured us in with hushed, subtle sound and began playing Somewhere Over The Rainbow. Before I knew what was happening, tears were streaming down my face in the back of that concert hall. In all of my years of concerts, I’m not sure that has ever happened to me before. And so I sat with salted cheeks and allowed myself to be taken away by her sound.

Haiku for Grace Kelly:

floating from below

wafts enriching, dynamic

soul transcendent sax

Grace Kelly signing autographs after the show

Check out her albums on itunes. She is sure to change  your world.

Wade In The Water - Bemsha Swing by gracekellyjazz