Grace Kelly/Lee Konitz
GRACEfulLEE
Pazz Productions
By George W. Harris

Here’s something that’s sure to raise a few eyebrows. 16 year old alto sax player Grace Kelly has put a remarkable debut release that finds her in HIGH SOCIETY with jazz icon Lee Konitz. The two fit together wonderfully, with Kelly floating like THE SWAN as she melds with Konitz’s dry and airy tone on tunes like “Subconscious Lee” and the title track. She’s got a few clever ideas up her sleeve as well, as her sing-song solo on the former is completely lacking in intimidation with the master composer/player. The rhythm section of Russell Malone (g), Rufus Reid (b) and Matt Wilson (dr) cooks as hot as a grill at HIGH NOON, and are given a chance to stretch out on the bluesy “Thingin’” The highlights of this delightful disc, however is the collection of duets. Kelly is able TO CATCH A THIEF as she spars with Matt Wilson on the free improvisation on “Call Of The Spirits”. It’s also refreshing to have improvisations like these that don’t abound in cacophony, but instead feature the ruminating gentleness of freedom. Sometimes these meetings can have you wanting to DIAL M FOR MURDER, but Kelly is able to experiment without being jarring. The duets “Just Friends” and “There Is No Greater Love” has Kelly’s tone as clear as a REAR WINDOW as she weaves in and around Malone and Reid respectively. Fresh and guileless as a COUNTRY GIRL, Kelly is a real jewel; this one’s going to surprise you.