Take Five With Pianist And Vocalist Kelly Green

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 and Steve Nelson. She followed this with a busy year in 2018, releasing her trio's debut album and touring across Colombia and Florida. In 2021, she released Endings That Are Beginnings, a self-engineered collection of spontaneous compositions. Her latest album, Seems, released in March 2024, has received international praise and features collaborations with Elijah J. Thomas and Rich Perry.

Kelly 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 at the University of North Florida and Mulgrew Miller, Harold Mabern, and James Weidman at William Paterson University where I earned my master's.

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 to indie bands such as Death Cab for Cutie. I grew up listening to Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, and John Coltrane. As I started to grow and learn more I got into other artists such as Duke Ellington, Sonny Rollins, Sarah Vaughan, Blossom Dearie, Eric Dolphy and Randy Weston. I currently listen to a lot of folk music from the Gambia in Africa, Mongolia, and India as well as European classical music. There are really too many influences to name them all!

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, Carmen McRae, Nancy Wilson, Blossom Dearie, and Sarah Vaughan.

The same is true of my piano playing, an amalgam of Randy Weston, Sonny Clarke, Wynton Kelly, Mulgrew Miller and McCoy Tyner.

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, Luca Soul Rosenfeld on upright bass, and Evan Hyde on drums. They are not only incredible human beings and world class musicians, but they are dedicated to my music and my vision. I plan to continue playing with these musicians for the rest of my life.

Other than my current band, artists I'd love to collaborate with are Herbie Hancock, Esperanza Spalding, and Ballaké Sissoko.

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, Kiriké
Hank Jones: Tiptoe Tapdance
Uzupis: Dirt
Randy Weston: African Village
Mulgrew Miller: Live at the Kennedy Center

Desert Island picks:

Duke Ellington and Thelonious Monk

How 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.

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