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Take Five With Pianist And Vocalist Kelly Green
Courtesy William "Gubi" Chiriboga
Meet Kelly Green
Kelly Green is a renowned pianist and vocalist based in Queens, New York. A Florida native, she began her musical journey early, studying piano from age seven and diving into jazz at eleven. She earned her Bachelor in Jazz Studies from the University of North Florida, where she was awarded the Outstanding Musician's Award, and her Masters in Jazz Piano Performance from William Paterson University, studying under jazz and classical greats.Kelly has made a significant mark in the jazz world with her albums. Her debut, Life Rearranged (2017), featured notable artists such as
Christian McBride
bassb.1972
Steve Nelson
vibraphoneb.1954
Elijah J. Thomas
fluteb.1991
Rich Perry
saxophone, tenorKelly leads a weekly trio performance at The Flatiron Room and, along with bassist Luca Soul, operates Green Soul Studios, a creative hub for performance and recording in Queens.
Instruments:
Pianist and vocalist.Teachers and/or influences?
I had the privilege to study with the great
Lynne Arriale
pianob.1957
Mulgrew Miller
piano1955 - 2013
Harold Mabern
piano1936 - 2019
James Weidman
pianob.1953
In New York, I was able to study voice with the great vocal coach Shelton Becton.
My influences are quite vast spanning from
Sonny Clark
piano1931 - 1963
Bill Evans
piano1929 - 1980
Thelonious Monk
piano1917 - 1982
John Coltrane
saxophone1926 - 1967
Duke Ellington
piano1899 - 1974
Sonny Rollins
saxophoneb.1930
Sarah Vaughan
vocals1924 - 1990
Blossom Dearie
piano and vocals1926 - 2009
Eric Dolphy
woodwinds1928 - 1964
Randy Weston
piano1926 - 2018
I knew I wanted to be a musician when...
When I was a little girl I started to sing along with recordings and TV and at age five my father asked me what I wanted to do and I told him that I wanted to be a singer. He told me that if I wanted to be a singer I needed to learn piano, and the rest is history!Your sound and approach to music.
I would say that my vocal sound is a unique amalgam of the vocalist that I love and listen to the most...
Etta Jones
vocalsb.1928
Nancy Wilson
vocals1937 - 2018
The same is true of my piano playing, an amalgam of Randy Weston, Sonny Clarke,
Wynton Kelly
piano1931 - 1971
McCoy Tyner
piano1938 - 2020
I approach music the way I approach life. My goal is to allow myself to be who I am by following my intuition. I try to allow myself to listen and dig into whatever music I feel like is inspiring me in the moment and to let go of everything when I am playing and performing in order to allow myself to be truly in the moment. This is the goal with my music, to bring the whole room into the moment with me. If I'm not in the moment and confidently presenting my music, how can they allow themselves to abandon their worries to join me?
Your teaching approach
When teaching students I think it is important to encourage them to be themselves and do what they love. I also remind them when I state opinions that it's just my opinion, it's not the rule. I treat every student as an individual and allow them to guide our lessons. I always encourage students to prioritize working on technique, the fundamentals of music, ear training, tune learning and composition.Your dream band
My ideal band is my current band. Elijah J. Thomas on flute, alto flute and piccolo, " data-original-title="" title="">Luca Soul Rosenfeld on upright bass, andEvan Hyde
drumsOther than my current band, artists I'd love to collaborate with are
Herbie Hancock
pianob.1940
Esperanza Spalding
bassb.1984
Ballaké Sissoko
korab.1968
Road story: Your best or worst experience
One of the best experiences I've ever had on the road was in Colombia, South America. I was playing with my trio and we were at the beginning of a song when all of the sudden the power cut and all the lights went off. We kept playing as we were mainly acoustic and I sang to the 2000 seat theater with no microphone. The entire audience proceeded to take out their phones to shine flashlights on us so they could see us while we continued to play and perform. There are many other memorable moments from different tours, but this was definitely one that stands out.Favorite venue
One of my favorite venues in the world is in Girona, Spain. It's called Sunset Jazz Club.They have a nice small stage with a grand piano, perfect for playing trio or quartet. The seating is made up of all different chairs and is very quaint and cozy holding around 50-60 attentive and excited listeners. The bar area is separate with some tables for eating delicious locally sourced charcuterie plates and wine.
There's a whole outdoor seating area as well. It is the perfect environment for playing and performing for people who are eager to be enchanted.
Your favorite recording in your discography and why?
My original song "It's Every Day" is my favorite recording in my discography because it is the most meaningful song I've ever written and recorded. It will be included on my next album "Corner of My Dreams." It was written for my mother who joined the realm of our ancestors in 2021.There is a string quartet introduction which leads into the soulful and extremely vulnerable song which I've orchestrated for my trio, a string quartet, and a vocal choir.
What do you think is the most important thing you are contributing musically?
The most important thing I am contributing musically is empathy. In my playing and performing I display deep empathy for my bandmates and for the audience. My original compositions are extremely vulnerable shining light on the importance of true self-expression and displaying empathy for others and for our Mother Earth.Did you know...
I am left-handed.The first jazz album I bought was:
I don't recall which is the first jazz album I ever bought. My father was always getting albums and would lend them to me to check out and add to my library on my computer. I would buy my own used jazz CDs at the bookstore at the Jamey Aebersold workshop. I don't recall which was first. But two of my first favorite albums I had on repeat were Thelonious Monk's Brilliant Corners and Carmen McRae Sings Monk.Music you are listening to now:
Kassé, Mady, Diabaté, KirikéHank Jones: Tiptoe Tapdance
Uzupis: Dirt
Randy Weston: African Village
Mulgrew Miller: Live at the Kennedy Center
Desert Island picks:
Duke Ellington and Thelonious MonkHow would you describe the state of jazz today?
I am deeply inspired by how much innovative music is being produced, released, and performed right now. The genre is expanding as well, which I think is a good thing. People all around the world are inspired by this art form and take comfort in being a part of the jazz community.What are some of the essential requirements to keep jazz alive and growing?
Mentorship and listener support.What is in the near future?
Seems is an album that features my quartet at its core with our newest member Elijah J. Thomas on the flute, alto flute and piccolo. The great Rich Perry is also featured on tenor saxophone on two tracks. We recorded the whole album live in the studio in one day with no overdubs. I am playing piano and accompanying my vocals simultaneously just as I do in live performances. The album mixes my originals with arrangements of standard-like songs (some vocal and some instrumental) to offer a little something special to every listener.We press forward as a quartet presenting music from the album and exciting new repertoire to audiences all over the world. I am excited to present this project at Birdland Theater on October 8th!
What is your greatest fear when you perform?
When I perform my greatest fear is losing the interest of the audience.What song would you like played at your funeral?
The song I haven't written yet.What is your favorite song to whistle or sing in the shower?
Sean Paul's "Get Busy"If I weren't a jazz musician, I would be a:
A veterinarian or a dancer.If I could have dinner with anyone from history, who would it be and why?
It would be Paramhamsa Yogananda because he is my Guru and he holds the secrets of the universe.If I could go back in time and relive an experience, what would it be?
I wouldn't want to do that for fear of accidentally changing the course of history. I'm excited for what's ahead, I'm content with the memories I currently hold, and I'm enthralled with the infinitude of the now.Anything else you want to add?
Hope to see everyone at Birdland Theater on October 8, 2024.Tags
Take Five With...
Kelly Green
AAJ Staff
Lydia Liebman Promotions
Rich Perry
The Flatiron Room
Bill Evans
Thelonious Monk
John Coltrane
duke ellington
Sonny Rollins
Sarah Vaughan
Blossom Dearie
Eric Dolphy
Randy Weston
Etta Jones
Nancy Wilson
Wynton Kelly
McCoy Tyner
Luca Soul Rosenfeld
Evan Hyde
Herbie Hancock
Esperanza Spalding
Ballaké Sissoko
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Kelly Green Concerts
Sep
16
Tue
Kelly Green : Corner Of My Dreams Album Release!
Zinc BarNew York, NY
Oct
10
Fri
Kelly Green
The Muse Performance SpaceLafayette, CO
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