Home » Member Page

Kathy Kelly

Vibist, composer, artistic director of the Chicago Jazz Composers Collective

About Me

I have been playing the vibes professionally since 1979 when I made my debut performing in Chicago area jazz clubs. A Different Vibe is my CD featuring twelve original jazz compositions. Featured along with me on the CD are guitarist John McLean, bassist Dan DeLorenzo, and drummer Jim Widlowski. A recent review in Cadence Magazine says “she (Kelly) stretches out with a fluid improvisational style that combines coolness with intricate details.” Jazzreview.com praises the CD saying, “This is a spunky, lively, feel-good collection of original songs...A Different Vibe is a winner, excellent.” I use original jazz compositions to showcase the vibes and lend the group a distinctive sound. Influences from Thelonious Monk, Eddie Harris, Gary Burton and world music (African, Brazilian, Latin) can be heard in the varied compositions. I strive for a strong tie with musical tradition; listeners often comment that the tunes “sound familiar” on the first listening. Besides performing with my group I have performed with vocalist Hinda Hoffman, and Steve Hashimoto's jazz group Mothra. I also performed at the Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland with the Chicago State University Jazz Ensemble, and have twice entertained audiences at the Chicago Jazz Festival with my quartet. Member of Tudo de Bom, a collaborative group of jazz composers currently performing in the Chicago area. I am the founder and artistic director of the Chicago Jazz Composers Collective. The collective was formed in July 2001 and presents monthly concerts at the Green Mill in Chicago. Each concert features two Chicago area jazz composers performing all original music with their groups.