This time on The Breakdown, saxophonist, vocalist, and composer Grace Kelly takes a group of saxophonists of varying experience levels through an exploration of extended techniques, focusing on the pitch bends, growls, and vibrato that add spice and expression to her playing. She concentrates on the application of these techniques musically, utilizing examples and referencing notable saxophonists who have shaped their usage in jazz history. Saxophonists featured include Nico Colucci, Iris Chen, and Zoe Schoen. The episode closes with Grace Kelly and Nico Colucci trading solos using these techniques over a blues form.

ABOUT GRACE KELLY
Called “the future of jazz” by NPR, 25-year-old saxophonist and vocalist Grace Kelly is a seven-time winner of the Downbeat Critics Poll and has risen to be a major jazz star, appearing with Jon Batiste and Stay Human on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and on concert stages around the world. A soulful soloist with a warm, burnished tone and a preternatural gift for composition and arrangement, Kelly began her musical journey while still a youth, writing her first song at seven and releasing her 2005 debut album, Dreaming, at 12.

Innumerable accolades and collaborations followed that auspicious start, as the young saxophonist appeared with the Boston Pops at age 14 and performed by Wynton Marsalis’ request at the inauguration festivities for President Obama, sharing in the stage with jazz icon Dave Brubeck.

She’s led fifteen full-length albums including GRACEfulLEE in collaboration with NEA Jazz Master Lee Konitz and Man With the Hat with fellow NEA honoree Phil Woods, and participated in the Kennedy Center's 15th Annual Mary Lou Williams Women In Jazz Festival as part of an all-star band including Dee Dee Bridgewater, Esperanza Spalding, Geri Allen, and Terri Lyne Carrington.

Her newest PAZZ Productions album, Grace Kelly with Strings: At the Movies, was inspired by the 1950 Charlie Parker classic Charlie Parker with Strings and features both Kelly’s remarkable alto playing and her evocative vocals on a program of her favorite film music accompanied by string orchestra.

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