Grace Kelly

Grace Kelly shows off her skills as a saxophonist, singer, and composer.

Twenty-year-old wunderkind Grace Kelly is joined by her band to play some of her favorite songs in Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival: Grace Kelly. Singer, saxophonist, composer, lyricist, arranger, and educator, Kelly has been voted "Best Jazz Act” in Boston four consecutive years in the FNX/Phoenix Best Music Poll, and then voted Best National Jazz Act in 2012. She has received the ASCAP Foundation’s Young Jazz Composers Award in 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011 and won "Jazz Artist of the Year” at the Boston Music Awards in both 2008 and 2010.  The 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 Downbeat Critics Poll added to her the list naming her one of the "Alto Saxophone Rising Stars”, the youngest artist ever to be named to the music poll.

In this episode you'll also hear from Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival Producers John Nugent and Marc Iacona, who talk about some of the young talent that has been discovered at the Jazz Festival.

Shot in high-definition at the 2011 and 2012 Jazz Festivals, the series offers an unsurpassed look into one of the most popular and respected jazz festivals in the country and features performances by an eclectic group of musicians. In each episode, viewers are guided through the last ten years of the festival with artist interviews, stories from the festival producers, and musical highlights. 

The Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival was founded in 2002 by John Nugent, Co-producer and Artistic Director, and Marc Iacona, Co-producer and Executive Director. From legendary performers and familiar favorites – to rising stars and new discoveries – this Festival navigates all genres of creative improvised music from all corners of the world. Attendance at the Festival has grown each year, from 15,000 the first year to more than 182,000 in year ten – attracting music lovers from around the U.S. and the world.

The Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival  Series is produced by WXXI Public Broadcasting and distributed nationally by American Public Television. The Xerox Rochester International Jazz Festival Series is underwritten by The Louis S. and Molly B. Wolk Foundation and Rowe Photo, Video, and Audio.

To see the complete line-up of artists and the airdates, visit: WXXI.org/jazz.