Grace in Seattle.
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I enjoyed hearing her on Piano Jazz with Marian McPartland: http://www.npr.org/2011/05/27/97831193/teen-saxophonist-grace-kelly-on-piano-jazz
Her youtube clips with Phil Woods are also fun:
Glad that you're enjoying the show.
Her youtube clips with Phil Woods are also fun:
Glad that you're enjoying the show.
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10mfan - I've noticed her from way back when and I've always wondered what's really behind her. Does she have a lot of support and money from her family?
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Her father was or is her manager, and the family is a huge support. I think her father wanted to be a player and basically gave her his full support for development. And that is mostly what it takes these days. The right guidance (teaching) and time to practice.
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Yes, thats right.
He family has alot of money and they are very supportive. They know how to get her what she needs, and how to get her into the environments she needs to be in to get ahead.
She's played with Phil, Wynton, Brubeck, and many more already. She's a good kid and I wish her well.
He family has alot of money and they are very supportive. They know how to get her what she needs, and how to get her into the environments she needs to be in to get ahead.
She's played with Phil, Wynton, Brubeck, and many more already. She's a good kid and I wish her well.
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Well, I thought I saw that coming from many years ago and frankly, thought she was not playing from an exactly even playing field.
But that's not her doing and she seems to have worked hard for what she's earned. She seems to be a really nice person, and she certainly smokes me.
But that's not her doing and she seems to have worked hard for what she's earned. She seems to be a really nice person, and she certainly smokes me.
She comes from the wealthiest town in MA. Anytime you hear a "young phenom" there is always (and must be , if you think about it...) a parent promoting the crap out of them. The Phil Woods thing is classic ... they hire him, not the other way around. ... I wouldnt be surprised to find out that she opperates at a loss still ...
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How do you end up with a million dollars playing jazz, right?
Still, not that you are being cynical, but, I try to look at the positive here and say more power to her and her family. And hopefully we benefit from these events.
It does seem that "jazz" has moved from the voice of the starving artist to the displays of the elite. I rmember being broke and having nothing but time to practice as long as I had a filthy basement to live in. Now, in the trappings of hoping to keep my family in the upper lower/lower middle class bracket I am fortunate if I can take an hour a day to work on art after spending a couple on craft if you can dig it.
Maybe I am not alone. Either way, we must do it, to some degree, out of love.
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She'll never have to worry about being all hype and no substance. It does pay to have parents with money, connections, and the ability to promote you...but I doubt Grace really needs it that much at this point. She's got it goin' on in her own right (and has from early on). This is in stark contrast to another young girl whose parents or grandparents have skillfully promoted her as if she's the next Candy Dulfer, when in reality she's just a mediocre high school saxophone player even by high school standards. The connections her family have in the jazz world have gotten her interviews, photo ops, and even "accolades" from people like Sonny Rollins, Candy Dulfer, Benny Golson, Lonnie Liston Smith, etc...but she has nowhere near the talent that Grace has and never will. I've always felt sad for her because sooner or later she'll realize that everyone has been blowing smoke up her butt and there's no way she'll ever be able to live up to the hype her family has created around her. I don't think Grace will ever have that problem...not to mention the fact that she's darned pretty to look at as well as inspiring to listen to.
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My shorter answer to all that is that Grace will never be the next Candy Dulfer because she doesn't quite make it in the looks department. Sorry if you can't handle the truth, but that's the way it is in show biz if you're female.
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I hear what you're saying, but I don't recall saying anything about Grace being (or wanting to be) the next Candy Dulfer. She is who she is, and seems to be quite comfortable in her own skin. As far as the looks...Candy Dulfer's onstage presence has never done that much for me...so I guess it's an "eye of the beholder" thing. No...I don't think Grace will be the next Candy Dulfer. I think she'll be a better saxophonist in the long run for what she does with the music...not for her "show biz" stage presence.
I think she's gorgeous...but I also have a strong appreciation for Korean features after having lived there. Her looks won't hold her back at all, but I'm kinda hoping she never wants to do the "show biz" thing to the extent that Candy does. That's not the kind of show I've ever been particularly interested in seeing. I'd much rather sit in a small club and hear Grace play than watch the kind of shows Candy puts on.
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Could the moderators dye this thread green? Some of you guys are looking silly on here for tearing apart a good young player. It's really easy to crap on someone when they are way up or way down...Shame for getting into physical appearance as well.
I don't know much about her background, but if having some family money helped her spend extra time in the practice room; That isn't her fault. By the way, having a lot of money can get you lessons with great teachers and put you in the right places, but her chops are all hers. Outside of serious shedding, there is no other way to become a big time player.
I have seen and heard some of her work on youtube, and she sounds really good. At such a young age, I hope she continues to grow as a player because she could have a lot to offer in the years to come.
Aging is a certain fact in life, but I guess some people never grow up.
I don't know much about her background, but if having some family money helped her spend extra time in the practice room; That isn't her fault. By the way, having a lot of money can get you lessons with great teachers and put you in the right places, but her chops are all hers. Outside of serious shedding, there is no other way to become a big time player.
I have seen and heard some of her work on youtube, and she sounds really good. At such a young age, I hope she continues to grow as a player because she could have a lot to offer in the years to come.
Aging is a certain fact in life, but I guess some people never grow up.
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It could be worse, they could be using their wealth to get her into the best business schools so that she can make millions more. At least they are giving her the opportunity to contribute to the artform.
In the end, she's the one in shed practicing and on stage performing, the parents can't do those things for her.
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I saw this thread and went to see her last night. There was no hat. I don't know anything about Dulfer, so I can't compare. Does Dulfer compose and sing? It wasn't Grace's strongest point, but she's no slouch in either department. The sax playing was inspirational for me, which is good, as I don't like jazz music in general and lead saxophones in particular (unless I'm playing lead in the jazz combo and that hasn't happened, yet).
Playing Tula's doesn't seem like a clear road to fortune. Having your dad sit at a little table and sell your CDs during the show doesn't seem like a tycoon's plan to amass more wealth. I got the distinct impression that both of them like what they are doing and would continue so long as they can merely cover costs.
Wealth plays a part in most music careers. Grace had piano lessons as a child (many see that as a sign of wealth). She may even have had a piano in the home (the instrument of the elite). She now plays a Selmer (just like other rich snobs). Get the pitchforks. Real musicians play 5 gallon buckets at the subway entrances.
Good show.
Mark
Playing Tula's doesn't seem like a clear road to fortune. Having your dad sit at a little table and sell your CDs during the show doesn't seem like a tycoon's plan to amass more wealth. I got the distinct impression that both of them like what they are doing and would continue so long as they can merely cover costs.
Wealth plays a part in most music careers. Grace had piano lessons as a child (many see that as a sign of wealth). She may even have had a piano in the home (the instrument of the elite). She now plays a Selmer (just like other rich snobs). Get the pitchforks. Real musicians play 5 gallon buckets at the subway entrances.
Good show.
Mark
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