who matters the age... I can have 10 years old or 90 years old but i can be the best saxophonist ... this girl is good. but she needs to develop more her hability...
Oh, this is wonderful! I once dragged my young niece to a jazz performance and she got a kick out of everyone in the audience showing their approval with lots of "yeahs!" Well, I say "yeah" to this young saxophonist! Groove on, Grace!
@Easleytee What? That's ridiculous. What's wrong with Hip Hop? It is as legitimate an art form as jazz or classical music or sculpture or film. Who are you to judge?
@Selmerpilot: I find it hard to believe that an accomplished law-school graduate such as yourself would spend his hours administering provocative comments over the web.
Don't feel the need to push unto youtubers, who are simply here to enjoy the jazz, your musical self-righteousness and highly sardonic views on the jazz world.
@PynkWalkr Plaintiff work is boring enough, I have to keep myself busy somehow! haha. Last time I checked, I can't be disbarred for anonymous trolling on some website.
Young saxophonists are too full of shit these days, and kids like the above are placed in front of the music like China's Olympic lip-sinker selling some form of jazz rather than the bum in the NYC subway who plays his ass off. It's the Olive Garden solution to keeping the music going. Hey, at least it's somewhat alive right.
You guys do realize that this is four years old, and that her skills have obviously progressed quite a bit? I mean, if she was better than everyone at Berklee when she was fourteen years old, that would be beyond incredible! Considering she just finished a tour of Europe, it's hardly fair to judge her by past works.
Honestly, I think if she were a male player, you guys would think the playing was great. Just because she has a pretty face, so to speak, doesn't mean that she can't play well too!
@jazzkeys44 I have heard her recently. Far more interesting things are being done by other students at various institutions not to mention all the remarkable unrecognized talent already in NY. Grace Kelly is marketable. End of story. Nothing special. Anyone who says otherwise has never spent time in NY.
@Selmerpilot Since I'm not "at the scene" so to speak, I guess I'll have to take your word. I'd love if you or anyone could direct me towards some of the more undiscovered talent in NY that you find interesting.
@jazzkeys44 Seamus Blake, Jaleel Shaw, Miguel Zenon, Patrick Cornelius, John Spelic, Sam Sadigursky to name a small few. There are many staggering young saxophonists in NYC who would wipe the floor with Ms Kelly.
@Selmerpilot Grace is putting her music out there and working her ass off - not to mention putting it on the line for jazz cops like yourself - and that's enough. She'd be the first to admit there are tons of great players out there and support their work, regardless of whether or not the New York elitists think it's hip. I love jazz, but its disciples with their "hipper-than-thou" attitudes need to get over themselves. We musicians are all in this together. Give me a fucking break.
@wrf1973 Please. This is fucking sad for jazz. It's the Britney Spears marketability of it that pisses me off. That is the only reason the chick is gigging. Cats in NYC scraping a living off of wedding gigs and other peanut jobs who are nothing short of amazing saxophonists are not getting credit where it's due. Thus is art......Had we but world enough, and time.
@Selmerpilot We can't all be self-hating iconoclasts. There's a law of supply and demand for us all, including narcissistic jazzers who get off on complaining about how unfair things are. Musical misery is a choice my friend. Get over yourself and play a fucking wedding every now and then or give a lesson or 2 - at least you're making $ with a horn in your hand, then use the $ to finance your own musical creations. Just enjoy playing music. Or If that's too much work, there's always Kinko's.
@wrf1973 Not my situation baby. I went to Berklee, lived in NYC and did that scene, toured overseas a lot, and while still in my late 20s decided that life is the pits despite making a good living. Went to law school and I write my own ticket now. The jazz world is a joke of a world and if having Gracy Kelly around benefits the general public's acceptance to jazz, I chose to not be directly involved as it makes a mockery of the music and those who are truly gifted.
@Selmerpilot say what you want about grace kelly but in my opinion if phill woods and lee konitz (who are a jazz gods might i add) saw the potential in her (at least enough to give her lessons) then obviously she might have a little more talent then any of us critics would like to say we have
@Selmerpilot That's because as an artistic endeavor Jazz is a dead scene that's been done every which way with 100s of classic albums for 50 years. Who wants to hear another guy try to play like Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter or John Klemmer? In Europe & Japan it's treated with reverence because they know what it takes to create real art whereas in the U.S. no one cares. Fusion is big in Eastern Europe. Legends like Larry Coryell or Oregon play to 1000s of people a night there.
@Selmerpilot Different people have different gifts & it's not all about who has the most technique. Astrud Gilberto was never even a singer but Stan Getz saw a quality he liked & got her to sing on a couple of tracks & those tracks sung by a non-singer ended up being loved by millions & still became jazz classics. She went on to have her own career & made some excellent albums as result. Enough personality (Hendrix) always trumps technique even if Jazz guys with technique can't stand it.
@wrf1973 Not true. There is no real appreciation for quality music in the U.S.A. anymore & if there is they sure don't show it by showing up at clubs for performances. I recently saw Kevin Eubanks play his ass off at a well-known small club in L.A. with Marvin 'Smitty' Smith on drums. Now here's a great guitarist who was on TV every night for 18 years! And he has one of the greatest drummers in the world with him & the club was empty! There were maybe 30 people there & this, in Los Angeles !!
@wrf1973 Also saw "Raga Bop Trio" at the Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood. This is Steve Smith, Prassana & George Brooks. Steve Smith used to play for a huge rock band named Journey & is well known among drummers as one of the best ever in any style. The band was absolutely smokin' East-meets-West Jazz-Rock-Funk fusion at its best, very organic & without the generic sterility of a lot of fusion. Only blocks away from GIT & Musicians Institute & the club was empty, maybe 25 people there!
I've heard her more recent stuff while at Berklee. A few years back she would have had her tail handed to her at Berklee by far more talented and interesting players. Jaleel Shaw, Patrick Cornelius, Wayne Escoffery, John Spelic, Miguel Zenon all would have made her practically quit playing. She is a pretty face which is keeping jazz marketable, that's all. Nothing interesting.
I saw her earlier this year in a jazz club in Toronto but was only able to stay for the first 1/2 of the performance, but bought her CD "Mood Changes" and I absolutely love it! She is a fantastic player with a bunch of albums, all original songs as far as I know. and she is studying at Berkley a year ahead of most other students!
This is nothing. I was in Gloucester MA and i saw these kids playing. The band was led by Alek Razdan, and boy could he play the sax. He could roll around and play great still, and he was an amazing singer. Just follow this link and tell me who is better. And he doesnt even need a hat!
Look at how much fun they're having. So they're doing what Bird did? That's why he lives. The progress is they ain't on H. Why are we still listening to J.S. Bach? 'Cause his improvizations he wrote down, like today jazz musicians still quote Bird. keats Ode to Joy; similar feeling. far out, Phil, and thanks, Jazzpro.
@pvelectric Music should touch the groin. Dancing, making love. Not sitting in a chair going omg, they have chops. Folks used to dance to classical music, swing, funk.
Why does it seem to be mandatory that people make nasty, mean, obscene, ignorant comments about anything and everything? The young lady is 14, for Pete's sake! She's very talented and has years ahead to grow. They don't let bozos play at Jazz festivals. It's very difficult to play like that!
Get me earplugs...On this lovely song she sounds like a goose squawking. she's fast Reminds me of Eddie VanHalen on guitar - lots of notes, wicked fast - but does she touch me...alto should have a decent tone, but, no. Getz, Desmond, Bronco Bob, even Clarence Clemons with his 6 notes - TOUCH ME this wonderkind does not. And Phil still runs his arpegs, so what?
@elfstone8402 Well I'm sorry for you then. No need to bash this talented young girl whos out touring and playing with the giants while you talk about how her playing doesnt TOUCH YOU. Stfu man.
@elfstone8402 God give me a break... go ahead and play better than her, then you can say that. She is playing with the greats as a 14 year old, so shut the hell up cause she's an amazing sax player.
@elfstone8402 Thought I was too harsh, but I heard her mangle "Summertime" She destroys that song and makes this sound less horrible. Sorry we're all products of our experience. I was brought up in the sax school of "taste every note", not burp them out.
Second bias: Good music is made for dancing or making love - it should touch our g-r-o-i-n in one way or another, otherwise we're all sitting in fancy threads in chairs listening and eating our cucumber sandwiches and sipping wine
Grace Kelly is an amazing artist. Kind, sweet, humble. I had the pleasure of hearing her play a year or two ago with other students from Berklee. Very talented.
Imagine this girl sitting in with charlie parker in the 40s! He would have adopted her as his own kid. How you could play an instrument for only 4 years and play like this is amazing talent. Phil must have been totally amazed. Jazz continues on.
Oh my gosh...sometimes I see naturals like that and I wonder if they were just born with it...bravo times ten!! Man...if I had that kind of talent I wouldn't even need to go to school...Best of luck to you Grace!
allora se uno sente Cafiso cosa dovrebbe dire...:) E' brava e questa quando crescerà e avrà ventanni sarà un talento a tutti gli effetti non che ora non lo sia ma ancora deve fare strada..Cafiso sicuramente rimane lì sulla segiola del talento più giovane della scena di Jazz Mondiale.
The amazing 16 jazz prodigy Grace Kelly, who also plays tenor and soprano sax as well as composing, arranging, leading her own group and she's a fantastic jazz singer. We have seen the future of jazz and the name is Grace!! They say she was already advanced at age 10!
truly one of the great moments in jazz; both with the presentation of the hat and a duet the SWINGS!!! who though that Pittsfield, MA could host such an event. GO PITTSFIELD
She'll stop improving when she reaches a point that she believes she can't get any better, which I hope doesn't come. That's how I look at it. There's always room for improvement if you look for it.I'm sure she hasn't burned herself out, yet.
That's possible true. On the other hand she may just keep improving beyond anything we can expect or comprehend. I hope she becomes the greatest player ever. Watching a genius perform at the absolute limit of human potential is just breathtaking. Its what makes life interesting for us mortals.
What are you talking about she is just getting started! Playing Jazz is like riding a motorcycle. Your not looking for a destination your just enjoying the journey. That is why she will grow in her playing because she has more years to play! Stop the negativity.
I saw her in Concert a couple of weeks ago the Regatta Bar in Cambridge Mass. and she was Fucking Awesome! She has Improved considerably and is also a GREAT Jazz Singer! I would say that she is the best Jazz Musician under 20 years old right now-hands down! :)
Wow, nice! The exchange tells all. Phil jokes lightly about breaking her fingers. Then he gives her some requisite atta-boys (afterall, she's only 14 on the big stage). Turns out she doesn't need them, cause she gets busy and starts tearing it up. He sits down. He crosses his arms, and then pretty much then just smiles and listens. I'm looking forward to listening for a long time!
Priceless how he is shouting supportively during the beginning of her solo, in the middle he becomes a bit silent as it dawnes on him that this 14 year old girl litterally blows him out of the water in front of his eyes, at the end of the solo he humbly reigns over his crown. What a great man he is!
...that's the way, man...support your followers and give everybody some respect - especially to the generations coming after you. There's is no other way. Let's change the world. Thanx, uncle Phil...
Man could you imagine hanging with the big cats and 14 years old?!?! It's crazy to think someone that young can understand and excel at jazz as well as have killer chops.
Wow! I was expecting her to be just so-so, but just hyped up due to her age. She's actually incredibly talented...especially at her age. I had to pull the clip back at around 3:38 just to re-listen to her creative lines on these changes. Very cool! Keep it up Grace!
Look, JAZZ is mostly identified with the US which is a nation -- and a great one too -- that has just about every ethnic group from planet earth living there. So it does not matter what race the saxophonist comes from cos it's the music (and the playing) that counts! sd goh (malaysia)
Whenever people say that I'm really advanced for my age, I just shake my head and laugh... because I know that there are people my age like Grace Kelly that just completely blow me out of the water. She is such a great player!
She's just great . I was listening the CD her Father Bob gave me , and im proud of her , specially when she sings ( Samba de Verao )=( So Nice ). And i wish to see her , playing in my Country ( Brazil ) You're always welcome
No, but I have played professionally since age 12 (I'm 19 now) with some of the worlds best players (Lou Colombo, Dick Johnson, Gray Sargent, Eddie Higgins, Frank Tate... the list goes on). Google those names when you get a chance.
Amazing is not a strong enough word for this talent! I love all the smiles and look of admiration on you face as you look at todays youth and thier talent!
I am aware that she is American. As for her ethnic origin, i don't know how i managed to confuse Chinese with Korean, i apologise. What I said still applies
I realise that you either are Grace Kelly or you are closely related.
Nothing wrong with natural talent, or a lot of voluntary hard work.
You've got it all wrong. She's American, of Korean decent and SHE is the driving force. And yes she is amazing. Not only as a player but as a singer, composer, songwriter and arranger. What is the matter with talent and a lot of hard work? I thought that is what counted. See Downbeat Magazine June 2008.
@Jazzpro50 Seriously, compared to what else is happening at Berklee she is nothing special. Dozens of far superior players, she is just a pretty face which makes her story more interesting. Want to hear a remarkable female saxophonist, then check out Shannon Leclaire. She teaches at Berklee and is undoubtedly one of the finest alto players the world has ever seen.
You don't realize how racist and stereotypical you are being right now, Bergunthera. To stereotype all CHINESE (asian regardless) and say that it doesn't count for what they do? In jazz, it doesn't matter what you are, hell! And just because you support somebody, that doesn't mean you have to be related to them. That's some bullshit. But either way, I support this girl, and, being 15 now, and she's... 16 maybe now, I am glad to see some other youth out there doing jazz a justice with soul!!!!!!!
@Bergunthera I have never read such complete nonsense. Your knowledege of China and Chinese culture is obviouisly zero. Lets put that aside for a moment. Grace Kelly is of Korean origin. I am really saddened. Of all music I thought the jazz scene was free from this pernicious racial and cultural stereotyping.
@Bergunthera what the fuck? so if a piece of music sounds good but happens to be by a chinese person then it can't be great or interesting? What the fuck is your problem? Its been a long time since I've seen ignorance and stupidity on the scale that you display it at. Art is art, thats the greatest thing about jazz. Its that it doesn't matter if you're a middle aged american man or a young asian girl, we can all come together and play music. Your ignorance and racism is hideous.
Leon i just kidding i did make it to brubeck Institute but i rejected them because jazz is not my only passion i am all around player so decided to take the full-ride scholarship at the Conservatory at UOP in Stockton to do double major in performance and music education. This way i able to play everything which is what i do. I know i shouldn't have said i did not make it but i was frustated my decision and now i can say i was going to be a part of it. Sorry for this again and check my vid soon.
Grace Kelly might be the next person in the Brubeck Institute Quintet and she will be because man she is good. I tryed out for the Brubeck Institute and was not accepted but you know there are alot of jazz players and only five can be the best but i still play and you will see me on Youtube next week. Starting off with jazz and then classical.
Good Job Grace and hope you do well in the Summer Jazz Colony again okay. Take Care and keep playing actually never stop playing just keep going.
Thanks for the message but i am not a sax player i play flute and wanted to be the first Jazz Flute player to be in the Brubeck Institute but was not able to be a part of it.
this is a pure example of God given talent and Charlie Parker being reincarnated into a 14 old Korean girl. Phil Woods must be absolutely amazed at what this girl can do. The sound, the ideas, the sense of time, its truly amazing. she was born about 40 years too late!
but charlie parker sucked as a kid, he got tomatoes threw at him for playing so many wrong notes at a concert once..then he practiced for 13 years a day for four years and became amazing...then did heroine
Kaptin, you may be right, in a way. But why should she have conviction? Shes fourteen. Most people have so much conviction that they dont even hear each other. What her playing does or doesnt mean will sort itself out as she matures. Jazz, like conversation, is supposed to express the personality of the individual, and she can still sound great without trying to make some huge point. Her playing is what it is, it has a certain innocence to it but there is nothing wrong with that.
That drummer is bad ass. I once listened to a homeless lady explain to grace kelly how to care for your hair properly when living out of your car. She talked for about twenty minutes. Im not sure why.
I'm gonna have to go with stone on this one. I play professionally, and she is a good player. But, as it appears to me, she lacks any real............conviction. I'm not a fan of her playing style, but she's still pretty dang good.
Give her 3-4 years...she'll listen to more jazz and learn more. Then she'll blow everyone away allover again. She IS only 14. I could barely stay inside the changes and do an improv that sounded semi-coherant at that point.
Amen. You know, there is something to say about discipline here. At age 14 I was still playing video games everyday of my life, and now I'm working as hard as possible to even reach this level at 23.
She's 14, give her constructive criticism, not tear her apart.
It must be really tough for you nay-sayers, living in that ivory tower. The fact is, she is there because she knows how to pick her notes and she swings and Phil Woods recognized this. As far as the Grammy Band, who cares. I think I would much rather have the distinction of saying, "I shared the stage with Phil Woods" and having video of it! I kind of doubt she lays awake at night crying over the Grammy Band. Keep swinging Grace and ignore the critics. If they could play like you, they would.
well what do you mean not good enough? the other girl saxophone player in that band is only as good as she is wouldn't you think? i mean how many alto sax players ages 14 - 18 do you think there are that can play at that calibre?
It's fantasstic to see a youngster like Miss Kelly play so well. Nice tone and she makes the changes with good phrasing. What a thrill it must have been for her to play with Phil Woods. With young players like this, the future of jazz is in good hands.
StoneSour22 whats there NOT to like? 1st Phil Woods is obviously blown away by her and believe me he should have an Idea if shes good or not, but more over to play like that usually takes YEARS of jamming and playing in smokey jazz joints to get the feel and timing and phrasing she's 14 years old and is playing better and more acomplished than players far, far older Dude.....YEAH I like THAT. If you don't dig it then you are only showing your ignorance...
What I hear with her playing is that there is just TOO much scooping and vibrato inflection; just something about it isn't tasteful. If you scoop just a little--fine. Her notes are great, but she would be doing herself a favor to scrape off some of the frosting on her playing. I may have over-criticized by calling it "God-awful." It's not. Personally, I just don't care for her style. Me ignorant? I scoff at that, 'cause all you've done is trashed my opinion. Now who's the ignorant one, hmm?
She's out there playing with Phil Woods. What are you doing with yourself, other than expecting a fully mature style from someone who's been playing under 5 years? Many college students do not sound as good. As a full time professional professional musician, I say you've got a lot more to learn than she does.
you dont have to jam to get feeling and phrasing, you just need to have good time (metronome) and listen to jazz music (transcribing). It does help to jam, but this isn't a case of talent, its a case of hard work.
I want to play sax with phil....:(
AMMstudios 2 months ago
who matters the age... I can have 10 years old or 90 years old but i can be the best saxophonist ... this girl is good. but she needs to develop more her hability...
MrParangaricutirimi 2 months ago
Excellent . Great melodic ideas and superb sound. She's going far in the music industry.
lushlife4 2 months ago
Oh, this is wonderful! I once dragged my young niece to a jazz performance and she got a kick out of everyone in the audience showing their approval with lots of "yeahs!" Well, I say "yeah" to this young saxophonist! Groove on, Grace!
vdlichac 3 months ago
Hip-Hop is to music what rape is to love.
Easleytee 7 months ago
@Easleytee What? That's ridiculous. What's wrong with Hip Hop? It is as legitimate an art form as jazz or classical music or sculpture or film. Who are you to judge?
HendrixcommaMartin 4 months ago
wow i REALLY need to practice
gummybearthrowdown 8 months ago
She sounds so much like Phil Woods I'm so jealus
supermegafifi 8 months ago
@Selmerpilot: I find it hard to believe that an accomplished law-school graduate such as yourself would spend his hours administering provocative comments over the web.
Don't feel the need to push unto youtubers, who are simply here to enjoy the jazz, your musical self-righteousness and highly sardonic views on the jazz world.
PynkWalkr 8 months ago
@PynkWalkr Plaintiff work is boring enough, I have to keep myself busy somehow! haha. Last time I checked, I can't be disbarred for anonymous trolling on some website.
Young saxophonists are too full of shit these days, and kids like the above are placed in front of the music like China's Olympic lip-sinker selling some form of jazz rather than the bum in the NYC subway who plays his ass off. It's the Olive Garden solution to keeping the music going. Hey, at least it's somewhat alive right.
Selmerpilot 8 months ago
shit, she sounds like bird on this keep on flying grace
aaronamccoy 9 months ago
You guys do realize that this is four years old, and that her skills have obviously progressed quite a bit? I mean, if she was better than everyone at Berklee when she was fourteen years old, that would be beyond incredible! Considering she just finished a tour of Europe, it's hardly fair to judge her by past works.
Honestly, I think if she were a male player, you guys would think the playing was great. Just because she has a pretty face, so to speak, doesn't mean that she can't play well too!
jazzkeys44 11 months ago
@jazzkeys44 I have heard her recently. Far more interesting things are being done by other students at various institutions not to mention all the remarkable unrecognized talent already in NY. Grace Kelly is marketable. End of story. Nothing special. Anyone who says otherwise has never spent time in NY.
Selmerpilot 11 months ago
@Selmerpilot Since I'm not "at the scene" so to speak, I guess I'll have to take your word. I'd love if you or anyone could direct me towards some of the more undiscovered talent in NY that you find interesting.
jazzkeys44 11 months ago
@jazzkeys44 Seamus Blake, Jaleel Shaw, Miguel Zenon, Patrick Cornelius, John Spelic, Sam Sadigursky to name a small few. There are many staggering young saxophonists in NYC who would wipe the floor with Ms Kelly.
Selmerpilot 10 months ago
@Selmerpilot Grace is putting her music out there and working her ass off - not to mention putting it on the line for jazz cops like yourself - and that's enough. She'd be the first to admit there are tons of great players out there and support their work, regardless of whether or not the New York elitists think it's hip. I love jazz, but its disciples with their "hipper-than-thou" attitudes need to get over themselves. We musicians are all in this together. Give me a fucking break.
wrf1973 10 months ago
@wrf1973 Please. This is fucking sad for jazz. It's the Britney Spears marketability of it that pisses me off. That is the only reason the chick is gigging. Cats in NYC scraping a living off of wedding gigs and other peanut jobs who are nothing short of amazing saxophonists are not getting credit where it's due. Thus is art......Had we but world enough, and time.
Selmerpilot 9 months ago
@Selmerpilot We can't all be self-hating iconoclasts. There's a law of supply and demand for us all, including narcissistic jazzers who get off on complaining about how unfair things are. Musical misery is a choice my friend. Get over yourself and play a fucking wedding every now and then or give a lesson or 2 - at least you're making $ with a horn in your hand, then use the $ to finance your own musical creations. Just enjoy playing music. Or If that's too much work, there's always Kinko's.
wrf1973 9 months ago
@wrf1973 Not my situation baby. I went to Berklee, lived in NYC and did that scene, toured overseas a lot, and while still in my late 20s decided that life is the pits despite making a good living. Went to law school and I write my own ticket now. The jazz world is a joke of a world and if having Gracy Kelly around benefits the general public's acceptance to jazz, I chose to not be directly involved as it makes a mockery of the music and those who are truly gifted.
Selmerpilot 9 months ago
@Selmerpilot say what you want about grace kelly but in my opinion if phill woods and lee konitz (who are a jazz gods might i add) saw the potential in her (at least enough to give her lessons) then obviously she might have a little more talent then any of us critics would like to say we have
thedking94 9 months ago
@Selmerpilot That's because as an artistic endeavor Jazz is a dead scene that's been done every which way with 100s of classic albums for 50 years. Who wants to hear another guy try to play like Sonny Rollins, John Coltrane, Wayne Shorter or John Klemmer? In Europe & Japan it's treated with reverence because they know what it takes to create real art whereas in the U.S. no one cares. Fusion is big in Eastern Europe. Legends like Larry Coryell or Oregon play to 1000s of people a night there.
metamorphosis67 8 months ago
@Selmerpilot Different people have different gifts & it's not all about who has the most technique. Astrud Gilberto was never even a singer but Stan Getz saw a quality he liked & got her to sing on a couple of tracks & those tracks sung by a non-singer ended up being loved by millions & still became jazz classics. She went on to have her own career & made some excellent albums as result. Enough personality (Hendrix) always trumps technique even if Jazz guys with technique can't stand it.
metamorphosis67 8 months ago
@wrf1973 Not true. There is no real appreciation for quality music in the U.S.A. anymore & if there is they sure don't show it by showing up at clubs for performances. I recently saw Kevin Eubanks play his ass off at a well-known small club in L.A. with Marvin 'Smitty' Smith on drums. Now here's a great guitarist who was on TV every night for 18 years! And he has one of the greatest drummers in the world with him & the club was empty! There were maybe 30 people there & this, in Los Angeles !!
metamorphosis67 8 months ago
@wrf1973 Also saw "Raga Bop Trio" at the Catalina Bar & Grill in Hollywood. This is Steve Smith, Prassana & George Brooks. Steve Smith used to play for a huge rock band named Journey & is well known among drummers as one of the best ever in any style. The band was absolutely smokin' East-meets-West Jazz-Rock-Funk fusion at its best, very organic & without the generic sterility of a lot of fusion. Only blocks away from GIT & Musicians Institute & the club was empty, maybe 25 people there!
metamorphosis67 8 months ago
I've heard her more recent stuff while at Berklee. A few years back she would have had her tail handed to her at Berklee by far more talented and interesting players. Jaleel Shaw, Patrick Cornelius, Wayne Escoffery, John Spelic, Miguel Zenon all would have made her practically quit playing. She is a pretty face which is keeping jazz marketable, that's all. Nothing interesting.
lvferraripilot 11 months ago
I enjoyed granpa and his grandauter's duo.
UMU15 1 year ago
I saw her earlier this year in a jazz club in Toronto but was only able to stay for the first 1/2 of the performance, but bought her CD "Mood Changes" and I absolutely love it! She is a fantastic player with a bunch of albums, all original songs as far as I know. and she is studying at Berkley a year ahead of most other students!
groggism 1 year ago
I can see she's so fantastic .great if if you have a ear, you'll see.BTW,I am a Japanese.
uwatuhiko 1 year ago
I would go see her. She's not just regurgitating things she's practiced. She's swinging and creating freely. I dig it!
jazmaan 1 year ago
sorry youtube wont let me add in a link
just look up "the polygroove orchestra messing with the kid"
1717jamesking 1 year ago
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1717jamesking 1 year ago
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1717jamesking 1 year ago
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1717jamesking 1 year ago
This is nothing. I was in Gloucester MA and i saw these kids playing. The band was led by Alek Razdan, and boy could he play the sax. He could roll around and play great still, and he was an amazing singer. Just follow this link and tell me who is better. And he doesnt even need a hat!
1717jamesking 1 year ago
Listenthen decide alto tone
Johnny Hodges, Paul Desmond of youtube
elfstone8402 1 year ago
she must be an alien ;)
Aggeasy 1 year ago
@tadd1 - Oops, the jazz police has caught me!
pboehi 1 year ago
Look at how much fun they're having. So they're doing what Bird did? That's why he lives. The progress is they ain't on H. Why are we still listening to J.S. Bach? 'Cause his improvizations he wrote down, like today jazz musicians still quote Bird. keats Ode to Joy; similar feeling. far out, Phil, and thanks, Jazzpro.
pvelectric 1 year ago
@pvelectric Music should touch the groin. Dancing, making love. Not sitting in a chair going omg, they have chops. Folks used to dance to classical music, swing, funk.
elfstone8402 1 year ago
She plays great and.. was this so difficult?
jazzuffe 1 year ago
Why does it seem to be mandatory that people make nasty, mean, obscene, ignorant comments about anything and everything? The young lady is 14, for Pete's sake! She's very talented and has years ahead to grow. They don't let bozos play at Jazz festivals. It's very difficult to play like that!
bewren 1 year ago
Get me earplugs...On this lovely song she sounds like a goose squawking. she's fast Reminds me of Eddie VanHalen on guitar - lots of notes, wicked fast - but does she touch me...alto should have a decent tone, but, no. Getz, Desmond, Bronco Bob, even Clarence Clemons with his 6 notes - TOUCH ME this wonderkind does not. And Phil still runs his arpegs, so what?
elfstone8402 1 year ago
@elfstone8402 Well I'm sorry for you then. No need to bash this talented young girl whos out touring and playing with the giants while you talk about how her playing doesnt TOUCH YOU. Stfu man.
Zombbg4 1 year ago
@elfstone8402 God give me a break... go ahead and play better than her, then you can say that. She is playing with the greats as a 14 year old, so shut the hell up cause she's an amazing sax player.
MsEcru 1 year ago
@elfstone8402 Thought I was too harsh, but I heard her mangle "Summertime" She destroys that song and makes this sound less horrible. Sorry we're all products of our experience. I was brought up in the sax school of "taste every note", not burp them out.
Second bias: Good music is made for dancing or making love - it should touch our g-r-o-i-n in one way or another, otherwise we're all sitting in fancy threads in chairs listening and eating our cucumber sandwiches and sipping wine
elfstone8402 1 year ago
@elfstone8402 cucumber sandwiches and wine, mmmmmm....
grrrroink 1 year ago
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wtf...this isnt Grace Kelly..its some Asian chik with an old fart!...LOL
TheGreatBobbyDARIN 1 year ago
u already fkn said that and got blocked ya bitch. lol not!
scomdnz9 1 year ago
Grace Kelly is an amazing artist. Kind, sweet, humble. I had the pleasure of hearing her play a year or two ago with other students from Berklee. Very talented.
1970Perry1970 1 year ago
Phil Woods is mezmerised by the performance, I just his expression through her solo
fluidjazz 2 years ago
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thats not Grace Kelly...doesnt even look like her!
plus Grace died years ago!
TheGreatBobbyDARIN 2 years ago
And you're not Bobby Darin.
deepkeel65 2 years ago 3
LOL...thank you i've known that for quite some time!
TheGreatBobbyDARIN 1 year ago
Man I'll join her fan club :-)
Listen4u2b 2 years ago
a Cineeeeeeeeee e k' c' tiennnn
saradema92 2 years ago
Imagine this girl sitting in with charlie parker in the 40s! He would have adopted her as his own kid. How you could play an instrument for only 4 years and play like this is amazing talent. Phil must have been totally amazed. Jazz continues on.
xlfutur1 2 years ago 2
Oh my gosh...sometimes I see naturals like that and I wonder if they were just born with it...bravo times ten!! Man...if I had that kind of talent I wouldn't even need to go to school...Best of luck to you Grace!
jschools09 2 years ago
Wow!! A true jazz prodigy in the Bireli lagrene sense - wonderful stuff!
v6pete 2 years ago
Wow, to play like that at that age - right beside a giant of jazz - is impressive. We'll be watching for her!
deepkeel65 2 years ago 2
For anyone that doesn't like her playing ask yourself this - how did you sound when (or if) you played at her age?
queekers 2 years ago 6
nossa senhora essa é fera mesmo
brasapaes 2 years ago
allora se uno sente Cafiso cosa dovrebbe dire...:) E' brava e questa quando crescerà e avrà ventanni sarà un talento a tutti gli effetti non che ora non lo sia ma ancora deve fare strada..Cafiso sicuramente rimane lì sulla segiola del talento più giovane della scena di Jazz Mondiale.
manueldip 2 years ago
...dopo questa mi viene voglia di prendere il sax e appenderlo al chiodo!
beautyfull56 2 years ago
The amazing 16 jazz prodigy Grace Kelly, who also plays tenor and soprano sax as well as composing, arranging, leading her own group and she's a fantastic jazz singer. We have seen the future of jazz and the name is Grace!! They say she was already advanced at age 10!
RaiderEleven 2 years ago 2
O_O she's fantastic!!!!!! I love the way she plays!
missadness 2 years ago
truly one of the great moments in jazz; both with the presentation of the hat and a duet the SWINGS!!! who though that Pittsfield, MA could host such an event. GO PITTSFIELD
williamsinn 2 years ago
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asian saxophonist?...
well i hope she grow up and get hot...
other ways she is fucked...
anyway.. great for the age.
bifesbifes 2 years ago
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What is that supposed to mean
BalancedAction36 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
sucks that she won't get much better than that.
nfn58 2 years ago
Comment removed
SonGotenEX 2 years ago
Why do you say that?
SonGotenEX 2 years ago
well. she's already really good... she doesn't have much room for improvement. unless your saying that she realy needs to hit the shed.
nfn58 2 years ago
She'll stop improving when she reaches a point that she believes she can't get any better, which I hope doesn't come. That's how I look at it. There's always room for improvement if you look for it.I'm sure she hasn't burned herself out, yet.
SonGotenEX 2 years ago
That's possible true. On the other hand she may just keep improving beyond anything we can expect or comprehend. I hope she becomes the greatest player ever. Watching a genius perform at the absolute limit of human potential is just breathtaking. Its what makes life interesting for us mortals.
SwerdyJazz 2 years ago
What are you talking about she is just getting started! Playing Jazz is like riding a motorcycle. Your not looking for a destination your just enjoying the journey. That is why she will grow in her playing because she has more years to play! Stop the negativity.
CBthesax 2 years ago 2
I saw her in Concert a couple of weeks ago the Regatta Bar in Cambridge Mass. and she was Fucking Awesome! She has Improved considerably and is also a GREAT Jazz Singer! I would say that she is the best Jazz Musician under 20 years old right now-hands down! :)
SaxInThaCity 2 years ago
This is great music. A nice change from listening to hip hop.
Stafresh714 2 years ago 14
Wow, nice! The exchange tells all. Phil jokes lightly about breaking her fingers. Then he gives her some requisite atta-boys (afterall, she's only 14 on the big stage). Turns out she doesn't need them, cause she gets busy and starts tearing it up. He sits down. He crosses his arms, and then pretty much then just smiles and listens. I'm looking forward to listening for a long time!
outside222 2 years ago
Priceless how he is shouting supportively during the beginning of her solo, in the middle he becomes a bit silent as it dawnes on him that this 14 year old girl litterally blows him out of the water in front of his eyes, at the end of the solo he humbly reigns over his crown. What a great man he is!
pboehi 3 years ago
...that's the way, man...support your followers and give everybody some respect - especially to the generations coming after you. There's is no other way. Let's change the world. Thanx, uncle Phil...
memzehni 2 years ago
@pboehi "this 14 year old girl litterally blows him out of the water in front of his eyes"
Go get your ears cleaned. Better yet, keep your asinine opinions to yourself.
tadd1 1 year ago
Phil Woods the Second... amazing. Only 14? What a career she has ahead of her...
johnbresnik 3 years ago
she's 16 now
saeyoungyi 2 years ago
Good kid...
videolover61 3 years ago
Awesome!
jcfh2001 3 years ago
wow she is great
sprayberrybog 3 years ago
Man could you imagine hanging with the big cats and 14 years old?!?! It's crazy to think someone that young can understand and excel at jazz as well as have killer chops.
Zombbg4 3 years ago 3
Wow! I was expecting her to be just so-so, but just hyped up due to her age. She's actually incredibly talented...especially at her age. I had to pull the clip back at around 3:38 just to re-listen to her creative lines on these changes. Very cool! Keep it up Grace!
billiongenius 3 years ago
Look, JAZZ is mostly identified with the US which is a nation -- and a great one too -- that has just about every ethnic group from planet earth living there. So it does not matter what race the saxophonist comes from cos it's the music (and the playing) that counts! sd goh (malaysia)
301250 3 years ago
I'm speechless. Great!
Lesaxofone 3 years ago
Just hope she doesn't burn out
saxandgames 3 years ago
Unbelievable. A Heavyweight at Fourteen!
To play with such maturity at such a young age points to an exiting future for Grace and jazz fans around the world.
bob4247 3 years ago
Kelly...you are Wonderfull!!
footrane 3 years ago
OH YEAH
she's Hot
Bassist ... S. Clarke
qupsclarke 3 years ago
she's 14 years old and i'm gonna break her fingers! lol
jude4312 3 years ago
Whenever people say that I'm really advanced for my age, I just shake my head and laugh... because I know that there are people my age like Grace Kelly that just completely blow me out of the water. She is such a great player!
strawberrysax 3 years ago
She's just great . I was listening the CD her Father Bob gave me , and im proud of her , specially when she sings ( Samba de Verao )=( So Nice ). And i wish to see her , playing in my Country ( Brazil ) You're always welcome
ChoninUSA 3 years ago
wow!
she's great!
adel546 3 years ago
she gets money...she's even got a catchy jazz musician's name
DizzyPrincess92 3 years ago
Charlie Parker would be proud to see this talented hard-working young lady quote him so eloquently. Bird Lives!
BeccaHonk 3 years ago
She may get sick of playing all the time. Maybe she'll quit by the time she is 23.
DrewDawg50 3 years ago
PHIL WOOD ITS THE WONDERFUL ...
mochesax88 3 years ago
She is not out of tune. Fat sound. Great phrasing. Melodic. Not bad !
wdflannery 3 years ago
..a star is born!
GFY1954 3 years ago
It's so humbling to witness a performance like this, especially by someone so young. I am in awe, Miss Kelly!
GetYourJingleOn 3 years ago
Does she sound out of tune to anyone else?
mkwalaabdik 3 years ago
It's called dissonance, and it is quite intentional and, as a long time jazz listener, I can say she uses it like a pro.
She is the new hope for Jazz.
mopinmo 3 years ago
Do you have 5 albums in the stores like she does?
kikinovelo 3 years ago
No, but I have played professionally since age 12 (I'm 19 now) with some of the worlds best players (Lou Colombo, Dick Johnson, Gray Sargent, Eddie Higgins, Frank Tate... the list goes on). Google those names when you get a chance.
mkwalaabdik 3 years ago
Jackie McLean played out of tune too. So what, as long as she sounds good. And she sounds fabulous.
waldo2384 3 years ago
I have it
monete75 3 years ago
Wow Unc Phil,
Amazing is not a strong enough word for this talent! I love all the smiles and look of admiration on you face as you look at todays youth and thier talent!
Hoping to see you soon, take care
Love Ya Big...Jill Too!
Cheryl
catangels2 3 years ago
I love how Phil just watches her play and beams the whole time. He's obviously so happy.
Saxydude05 3 years ago
Wow!!! I'm gonna check her out, she's amazing! thx for posting
slashchords 3 years ago
haha prodigy.. beethoven was a prodigy
smak99 3 years ago
I am aware that she is American. As for her ethnic origin, i don't know how i managed to confuse Chinese with Korean, i apologise. What I said still applies
I realise that you either are Grace Kelly or you are closely related.
Nothing wrong with natural talent, or a lot of voluntary hard work.
Bergunthera 3 years ago
You can't judge people by their ethnic origins. To me, she is not Korean but 100% AMERICAN, cultural wise.
procrastinator1357 3 years ago
Ethic origin and standards have nothing to do with it. She plays because she loves too.
saeyoungyi 2 years ago
Comment removed
Bergunthera 3 years ago
You've got it all wrong. She's American, of Korean decent and SHE is the driving force. And yes she is amazing. Not only as a player but as a singer, composer, songwriter and arranger. What is the matter with talent and a lot of hard work? I thought that is what counted. See Downbeat Magazine June 2008.
Jazzpro50 3 years ago 7
@Jazzpro50 Seriously, compared to what else is happening at Berklee she is nothing special. Dozens of far superior players, she is just a pretty face which makes her story more interesting. Want to hear a remarkable female saxophonist, then check out Shannon Leclaire. She teaches at Berklee and is undoubtedly one of the finest alto players the world has ever seen.
lvferraripilot 11 months ago
You don't realize how racist and stereotypical you are being right now, Bergunthera. To stereotype all CHINESE (asian regardless) and say that it doesn't count for what they do? In jazz, it doesn't matter what you are, hell! And just because you support somebody, that doesn't mean you have to be related to them. That's some bullshit. But either way, I support this girl, and, being 15 now, and she's... 16 maybe now, I am glad to see some other youth out there doing jazz a justice with soul!!!!!!!
MagicRain505 3 years ago 2
@Bergunthera I have never read such complete nonsense. Your knowledege of China and Chinese culture is obviouisly zero. Lets put that aside for a moment. Grace Kelly is of Korean origin. I am really saddened. Of all music I thought the jazz scene was free from this pernicious racial and cultural stereotyping.
herttach 1 year ago
@Bergunthera what the fuck? so if a piece of music sounds good but happens to be by a chinese person then it can't be great or interesting? What the fuck is your problem? Its been a long time since I've seen ignorance and stupidity on the scale that you display it at. Art is art, thats the greatest thing about jazz. Its that it doesn't matter if you're a middle aged american man or a young asian girl, we can all come together and play music. Your ignorance and racism is hideous.
wohodude100 1 year ago 2
Leon i just kidding i did make it to brubeck Institute but i rejected them because jazz is not my only passion i am all around player so decided to take the full-ride scholarship at the Conservatory at UOP in Stockton to do double major in performance and music education. This way i able to play everything which is what i do. I know i shouldn't have said i did not make it but i was frustated my decision and now i can say i was going to be a part of it. Sorry for this again and check my vid soon.
RafaelLuna18 3 years ago
Oh how I wish I could play that good :(
Scoopdaloop24 3 years ago
Grace is phenominal. She could make it professionally NOW !
russ1140 3 years ago
go grace charlot parker lol
hitmanisback 3 years ago 2
Grace Kelly might be the next person in the Brubeck Institute Quintet and she will be because man she is good. I tryed out for the Brubeck Institute and was not accepted but you know there are alot of jazz players and only five can be the best but i still play and you will see me on Youtube next week. Starting off with jazz and then classical.
Good Job Grace and hope you do well in the Summer Jazz Colony again okay. Take Care and keep playing actually never stop playing just keep going.
RafaelLuna18 3 years ago
Cmon Rafael, You know Ben Flocks is gonna stay there. If anyone, the next person that is gonna be there is Chad.
LeonLeonheart5422 3 years ago
Thanks for the message but i am not a sax player i play flute and wanted to be the first Jazz Flute player to be in the Brubeck Institute but was not able to be a part of it.
RafaelLuna18 3 years ago
Lol. Phil woods is sitting there prolly thinking, why the hell did I stop playing my selmer horn.
queperknuckle 3 years ago
LMAO!!!!
LeonLeonheart5422 3 years ago
What a lucky girl....I could care less about her playing with Phil Woods...Its his hat I care about!!! Haha just kidding guys. Damn she is good.
LeonLeonheart5422 3 years ago
Haha I love watching kids play this good, it really wakes me up to practicing constructively.
ReggaesRockers 3 years ago
this is a pure example of God given talent and Charlie Parker being reincarnated into a 14 old Korean girl. Phil Woods must be absolutely amazed at what this girl can do. The sound, the ideas, the sense of time, its truly amazing. she was born about 40 years too late!
xlfutur1 4 years ago
but charlie parker sucked as a kid, he got tomatoes threw at him for playing so many wrong notes at a concert once..then he practiced for 13 years a day for four years and became amazing...then did heroine
Raunch14 3 years ago
13 yrs a day? lol
Falsfield 3 years ago
13 - 15 hours a day. And it was actually a cymbal that was thrown to his feet. :P
XxSaxCannon921xX 3 years ago
ummmm not tomatoes lol, it was a cymbal thrown by the drummer onto the stage floor.
LuggageCart 3 years ago
Not to mention a cymbal thrown at him by Count Basie's then drummer, Jo Jones.
KlassyKamikaze 2 years ago
Wow - what talent! She is God blessed...
edzentera 4 years ago
of course, I think I was trying to hard; What great music!
joetube1 4 years ago
wow!
(sarcastic voice) that makes me feel just great.
samfreemanwatford 4 years ago
This is song "I'll Remember April". What is "The Hat"?
joetube1 4 years ago
holy shit thats unbelieveable for a fourteen year old. she swings too!!! wow
dreiffie1219 4 years ago
crapp haha i wish i could play with her. im korean american, same age as her, and plays the sax haha. currently working on an album.
anchunger 4 years ago
damn she's hella good!
and has a hell of a handle on the jazz launguage
Chaser834 4 years ago
The whole rhythm section is bad ass! This chick is gonna get crazy scholarships
ebalbed 4 years ago
Kaptin, you may be right, in a way. But why should she have conviction? Shes fourteen. Most people have so much conviction that they dont even hear each other. What her playing does or doesnt mean will sort itself out as she matures. Jazz, like conversation, is supposed to express the personality of the individual, and she can still sound great without trying to make some huge point. Her playing is what it is, it has a certain innocence to it but there is nothing wrong with that.
fallmarket 4 years ago
That drummer is bad ass. I once listened to a homeless lady explain to grace kelly how to care for your hair properly when living out of your car. She talked for about twenty minutes. Im not sure why.
fallmarket 4 years ago
I'm gonna have to go with stone on this one. I play professionally, and she is a good player. But, as it appears to me, she lacks any real............conviction. I'm not a fan of her playing style, but she's still pretty dang good.
KaptinKrinkles 4 years ago
hey can any of you help me. i need to find a recording of sonata for alto saxophone and piano by phil woods i cant find it anywhere.
jessiethejoker 4 years ago
Hey Bigtune, Glad to hear she made it into the band. I am glad 99% of the rest of us "get" what this girl is about.
1965JWP 4 years ago
hahah, check out how she quotes "cool blues" at the beginning of her solo and then again at again at 3:50. gotta love that line.
bigtuneselecta 4 years ago
let there be many many more youngsters like this in the world ,wj
wimminnaar 4 years ago
i never knew how to clearly define the word "prodigy" but if they do exist, she's part of the club
and women can play jazz... lol
kayjazz09 4 years ago
she must be a great kisser ;-) lol no joking but that's amazing for a girl that age to be interested in jazz let alone play this good!
JazzySaxE 4 years ago
im obsessed with grace kelly
kyuteh 4 years ago
She wears that hat everywhere
GarfieldRUS 4 years ago
what's all the noise about?,here's a young girl,14yrs. mind you,and she'a playing better than some thirty year olds!......PEACE
Guitman2001 4 years ago
She is awesome! It's great to see someone so young take a serious interest in jazz!
mikeburton06 4 years ago
shes hot, give her 4 more years and she'll be in COLLEGE!!! WOOOOO
dos122 4 years ago
Give her 3-4 years...she'll listen to more jazz and learn more. Then she'll blow everyone away allover again. She IS only 14. I could barely stay inside the changes and do an improv that sounded semi-coherant at that point.
bigcat03 4 years ago
Amen. You know, there is something to say about discipline here. At age 14 I was still playing video games everyday of my life, and now I'm working as hard as possible to even reach this level at 23.
She's 14, give her constructive criticism, not tear her apart.
oylerck 4 years ago
It must be really tough for you nay-sayers, living in that ivory tower. The fact is, she is there because she knows how to pick her notes and she swings and Phil Woods recognized this. As far as the Grammy Band, who cares. I think I would much rather have the distinction of saying, "I shared the stage with Phil Woods" and having video of it! I kind of doubt she lays awake at night crying over the Grammy Band. Keep swinging Grace and ignore the critics. If they could play like you, they would.
1965JWP 4 years ago
fun fact: Grace recently made the 2008 grammy band. she's in the combo.
bigtuneselecta 4 years ago
so did a senior from my school (toby forman), for the grammy band! apparently they were on tv together. im quite jealous.
wutrain 4 years ago
toby forman is garbage
littlewoda 3 years ago
why?
jobjobjobjobjob 4 years ago
well what do you mean not good enough? the other girl saxophone player in that band is only as good as she is wouldn't you think? i mean how many alto sax players ages 14 - 18 do you think there are that can play at that calibre?
vaineminaru 4 years ago
It's fantasstic to see a youngster like Miss Kelly play so well. Nice tone and she makes the changes with good phrasing. What a thrill it must have been for her to play with Phil Woods. With young players like this, the future of jazz is in good hands.
MusicLiberates 4 years ago
StoneSour22 whats there NOT to like? 1st Phil Woods is obviously blown away by her and believe me he should have an Idea if shes good or not, but more over to play like that usually takes YEARS of jamming and playing in smokey jazz joints to get the feel and timing and phrasing she's 14 years old and is playing better and more acomplished than players far, far older Dude.....YEAH I like THAT. If you don't dig it then you are only showing your ignorance...
fluidjazz 4 years ago
What I hear with her playing is that there is just TOO much scooping and vibrato inflection; just something about it isn't tasteful. If you scoop just a little--fine. Her notes are great, but she would be doing herself a favor to scrape off some of the frosting on her playing. I may have over-criticized by calling it "God-awful." It's not. Personally, I just don't care for her style. Me ignorant? I scoff at that, 'cause all you've done is trashed my opinion. Now who's the ignorant one, hmm?
StoneSour22 4 years ago
She's out there playing with Phil Woods. What are you doing with yourself, other than expecting a fully mature style from someone who's been playing under 5 years? Many college students do not sound as good. As a full time professional professional musician, I say you've got a lot more to learn than she does.
bobnweave64 4 years ago
you dont have to jam to get feeling and phrasing, you just need to have good time (metronome) and listen to jazz music (transcribing). It does help to jam, but this isn't a case of talent, its a case of hard work.
jsweenie13 4 years ago
and only a finalist in the grammy band....my god...if she can't get in then i sure as hell don't stand a chance
vaineminaru 4 years ago
check out this kid playing saxophone. search: princeton whiplash, and go to part 2
onowen99 4 years ago