|
In 1999 Kelly
joined Marion McPartland on stage at Ravinia for some
impromptu double piano jazz playing. Ms. McPartland
earlier wrote for Brand's first CD liner notes that Kelly writes as she
plays, with elegance and sensitivity. That CD, A Dream In a Stone on the
Koch Jazz label, was well received. The Chicago Reader 1996 stated that
everything Brand writes has a noteworthy craftsmanship and flowing serene
energy. From The Chicago Sun Times 1996: "Brand has a flowing winsome
style as a pianist and an even more impressive harmonic sense as a
composer." Jazz Tracks 1997: "The arrangements are both soulful
and deeply involved."
In 2001 and 2003 Kelly was
chosen to receive residencies at Ragdale, an
internationally acclaimed artists' retreat.
Kelly was among ten top Chicago jazz
pianists who performed at Symphony
Center for Marshall
Field’s Great Day of Music in 2003.
She also performed on Joe Segal’s Caribbean Jazz Cruise that
same year. In 2005 Kelly played at
the Chicago Jazz Festival and The Cabin Fever Jazz Series with Bobbi Wilsyn’s all women jazz ensemble, SHE.
Her most recent CD, Sister Luna (The Kelly Brand Nextet),
on the Chicago
Lakeside Jazz label includes three originals and tunes by Roland Kirk,
Richard Rodgers, Bobby Hutcherson, and Chick Corea. The Nextet features
top Chicago
players Art Davis, Louis Stockwell, Kelly Sill, Tim Davis, and Eric Montzka. This new CD has already garnered positive
attention. From www. All About Jazz.com- "Brand's second album is as
tastefully cooked as her first... solid jazz by a group of talented young
Chicagoans." Jazz Institute of Chicago's
web page - "...wonderful quintet release...the horns always have
something to say and the rhythm section is flawless." It received
three stars from The Chicago Sun Times.
Brand's playing and writing
is also represented on three popular jazz compilation CDs.
Ladies in Jazzland an internationally released
compilation which includes Abbey Lincoln and Maria Schneider. The other two
are Women Who Swing Chicago and Mile by Jazz Mile, both featuring prominent
Chicago
jazz artists.
Kelly Brand is an experienced teacher and clinician. She has taught for the
Merit School of Music and in the Ravinia Music
Illumination Program.
Currently she is performing with Ari Brown and
Kelly Sill in Chicago
schools
with the Pangaea Trio, sponsored by the International Music Foundation, an
umbrella group of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
|
