Grace Kelly

Best JAZZ in BOSTON

Grace Kelly doesn’t turn 16 until May 15. Hey, what can you do? When an unimpeachable alto sax legend like Lee Konitz goes on record to say the kid’s got talent — or, more specifically, that she plays the alto saxophone “with a mature musical sound and a great feeling for improvising” — who are we to argue? In fact, we dare you to put Kelly’s CD Times Too (Pazz) in shuffle mode with vintage Konitz, Art Pepper, Jackie McLean, and a couple of other altos of your choice and tell us which one’s the 15-year-old. Chances are, you’ll get it only by process of elimination if you happen to recognize the other guys. And we’re talking daunting standards like Ellington’s “Isfahan” and Billy Strayhorn’s “Blood Count,” tunes that require emotional as well as technical poise. Kelly’s singing might not pass the blindfold test (she’s secure and swinging if not yet ripe), and we’ll pass on her songwriting for another time. But her regular gigs at Scullers, CD releases (three thus far, with more on the way) and, okay, her relentless email newsletters, have put her on top in a field of talented veterans.

— Jon Garelick

LISTEN: Grace Kelly, "Filosophical Flying Fish" (mp3)

Runners-up
1. Aardvark Jazz Orchestra
2. Leo Genovese
3. Club d’Elf