Jazz People You Should Know

Kelly Brand
Specialty:Jazz piano/composition
Kelly Brand's Website

Background: I got excited about playing jazz piano in high school, especially after listening to some of the older kids, including Ed Petersen and Eric Schneider. I went to the U of I Champaign/Urbana, where both those guys were, and met up with Kelly Sill, Art Davis, Jim McNeely, Ron Dewar, and a bunch more talented folks who were either in school or had been at some point. The top jazz band director was John Garvey, a real character and a wonderful musician. There was no jazz program or degree but there was plenty of playing and listening.

Biggest Obstacles you have faced: As a woman, you are usually a bandleader; otherwise, you're sitting home or doing solo gigs. This is because a male bandleader will seldom call a woman as a sideman. As a result we often work less than we should and with a smaller circle of players. Because of this, it is harder to develop to one's full potential as a player.

Greatest Achievements in Music to this point: Leading a number of great symbiotic groups over the last two decades. Putting out some excellent recordings. Playing some great concerts and gigs at Ravinia, The Chicago Jazz Festival, Symphony Center, and at the clubs, hotels, and restaurants. Writing tunes that I like to play and hear. Staying in the game despite anemic critical support, the tiresome calls to clubowners to actually get the opportunity to share your music with an audience and the financial difficulty affording insurance and other basics.

Inspirations:There are more than you want to know but I'll name a few.

Wayne Shorter - A musician who writes and plays in a way that suggests to me a disregard for licks and tricks and a profound ability to work at a very beautiful and subtle level.

Don Pullen - A truly gifted and unique pianist/composer who put out some of his best work in the 5-10 years preceding his untimely passing.

Marion McPartland - A jazz pianist with a beautiful touch who is as comfortable playing a free or a complex modern tune as she is playing the classic standards. She also has had a great impact on spreading the joy of jazz to millions through her radio shows.

Kelly Sill - Besides being a joy to play music with, he has consistently been encouraging to me regarding my work. As a typically insecure artist, that is invaluable to me.

Favorite CDs in your player right now: Wayne Shorter Beyond the Sound Barrier, Fred Hersch Trio Christmas Belles, Thelonius Monk with John Coltrane at Carnegie Hall, McNeely/Sill/Spencer Boneyard.

Your musical goals: Keep expanding my musical horizons Play some out of town gigs as our daughter goes to college next year. Write more songs with and without lyrics including some that help people to slow down, pay attention, and perhaps soften their negative karma.

Upcoming appearances:
2/17 2pm Composer concert at the Green Mill

3/7 9pm CD RELEASE GIG with the Nextet

3/25 noon Chi Cultural Center lunch concert

3/26 630 Northern Illinois University Trio concert

3/27 9pm CD CELEBRATION at Katarinas with Nextet More gigs at Kellybrand.com

Activities that you use to relax: Reading, going to hear local jazz players, listening to CDs and WDCB,WNUR in my car, seeing movies; doing yoga, tai chi,ETCs, etc. at Ultfit;, studying Kriya yoga, and learning from Goswami Kriyananda; napping with my dogs and hanging out with family and friends. Meditation.