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Take Five With Kelly Powers

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By AAJ Staff
February 17, 2011
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Meet Kelly Powers:

Pianist Kelly Powers has performed with the

Cab Calloway

composer / conductor
1907 - 1994

" data-original-title="" title="">Cab Calloway Orchestra, the

Artie Shaw

clarinet
1910 - 2004

" data-original-title="" title="">Artie Shaw Orchestra,

Steve Davis

trombone
b.1967

" data-original-title="" title="">Steve Davis, Nat Reeves, Jack Jeffers and the New York Classics, George Gee Swing Orchestra and

" data-original-title="" title="">Travis Sullivan's Bj?rkestra, among others. Her playing has been showcased in numerous New York City venues including Smoke Jazz Club, Cleopatra's Needle, Kitano, Zinc Bar, Makor, Swing 46, Minton's Playhouse, Big Apple Jazz, the Shrine, Miles Cafe, Bruno Jamais, the Carlyle, Rainbow Room, Caf�� Vivaldi, Rockwood Music Hall, Crash Mansion, Puppets and Night and Day.

Instrument(s):

Piano.

Teachers and/or influences?

Jackie McLean

saxophone, alto
1932 - 2006

" data-original-title="" title="">Jackie McLean, Steve Davis, Nat Reeves,

Mike LeDonne

organ, Hammond B3
b.1956

" data-original-title="" title="">Mike LeDonne,

Harold Mabern

piano
1936 - 2019

" data-original-title="" title="">Harold Mabern,

Garry Dial

piano
b.1954

" data-original-title="" title="">Garry Dial,

Andy LaVerne

piano
b.1947

" data-original-title="" title="">Andy LaVerne.

I knew I wanted to be a musician when... I heard jazz.

Your dream band:

I have my dream band, the Kelly Powers Project, including:

Lee Hogans

trumpet
b.1977

" data-original-title="" title="">Lee Hogans: trumpet; Vito Chiavuzzo: alto sax;

Josh Paris

bass
b.1981

" data-original-title="" title="">Josh Paris: bass;

Austin Walker

drums

" data-original-title="" title="">Austin Walker: drums.

As a composer/bandleader, I cannot express in words what it feels like when your music is brought to life and conveyed by such amazing musicians. I'm grateful to them.

Road story: Your best or worst experience: I had a gig down in Baltimore with the Cab Calloway Orchestra. We left early in the morning from New York City. When my ride came to pick me up, I saw my ex-boyfriend (also a musician) sitting in the van. He was not a regular band member, so I was not expecting to see him. It was awkward, because we had just broken up the day before. It took us about five hours to drive down to Baltimore, we played the gig together and then drove five hours back to NYC. Musically, the gig was great but man, what a long day!

Favorite venue:

Smoke Jazz Club is my favorite venue to play and hang at in NYC. It's like a second home, really! The owners always have a good vibe and really know how to treat the musicians. Also, the acoustics are great and piano is very clear.

Your favorite recording in your discography and why? Kelly Powers Trio, featuring

Samir Zarif

saxophone
b.1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Samir Zarif on tenor sax,

Matt Aronoff

bass

" data-original-title="" title="">Matt Aronoff on bass and

Kendrick Scott

drums
b.1980

" data-original-title="" title="">Kendrick Scott on drums. This was self-released in November 2006. I felt the band played my arrangements well and brought my original compositions to life. It felt real inspired and honest. Speaking of honest, this is my only album which is why it's my favorite.

The first Jazz album I bought was: David McKenna, recommended to me by a teacher at the time. It was okay, but didn't really love it.

What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically? I have great respect for the lineage of all jazz artists that came before me (especially musicians like Jackie McLean,

Sonny Clark

piano
1931 - 1963

" data-original-title="" title="">Sonny Clark and

Hank Jones

piano
1918 - 2010

" data-original-title="" title="">Hank Jones, to name a few). As a young musician, I want to give back and keep this music alive. I'm not trying to break down walls with earth-shaking, innovative music. I think there are too many young, student-type musicians who just sound foolish thinking they are playing hip and new stuff. Man, I just want to keep playing the blues, keep it swinging, play the language and keep striving to perform at the highest level possible.

Desert Island picks: Sonny Clark- Cool Struttin' Jackie McLean, Jackie's Bag;

Kenny Garrett

saxophone, alto
b.1960

" data-original-title="" title="">Kenny Garrett, Songbook.

How would you describe the state of jazz today? It's dying, but we need to keep it alive. Especially, as one of America's only true art forms.

What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing? Education, awareness, communication.....jazz musicians need to care about other people outside their little incestuous network of jazz nerds. Get some other people's perspective and really listen to why they either like jazz or don't.

What is in the near future? I'm actively playing/touring with my band the Kelly Powers Project. I'm also excited to be part of the Women in Jazz Fest in March performing at the Zinc Bar.

By Day:

Piano teacher.

If I weren't a jazz musician, I would be a: a doctor.

Photo Credit
Courtesy of

Kelly Powers

piano
b.1982

" data-original-title="" title="">Kelly Powers

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