As a raving jazz fan, I know it’s sometimes hard to get new audiences to check out jazz music.  Some say they need words, or tunes they know, while others think jazz musicians are old or unapproachable.

Well, Grace Kelly shattered all these stereotypes last night with a sold out performance and a standing ovation at her St. Louis debut.

Grace is young (25), adorable and as charming as can be.  She tells personal stories about each of her songs, sings, dances and blows a saxophone as well as any.  Her green dyed hair, midriff top, and energetic personality brought a smile to everyone in the crowd, and her young Brooklyn-based band looked like they were having a ball while they impressed even the most jaded among the crowd with their well-honed skills.  There’s no doubt the future of jazz is in very capable hands.

For a Wednesday evening, the room was sold out and Grace was really impressed not only with the turnout but also the venue.  She commented on more than one occasion that St. Louis has one of the best jazz clubs she has ever been to...and the crowd certainly appreciated that recognition especially Nancy Kranzberg who sat at the first table center stage.

Kelly relished her time on stage, playing a full 90 minutes, and even played amidst the crowd using her wireless alto sax during her final song of the set.  She is fun -- really fun -- which I suspect is why she is a highlighted musical guest on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’s band, Jon Batiste and Stay Human.

Grace also has garnered many awards from jazz critics and fans alike this past year. She was the winner of the 64th Annual 2016 Downbeat Magazine Critics Poll as “Rising Star Alto Saxophone,” and voted fourth in the Alto Saxophonist category in the 2016 Downbeat Magazine Readers Poll. She also won “Jazz Artist of the Year” in the 2016 Boston Music Awards and “Alto Saxophonist of the Year” by NYC Jazz Fans Decision 2016.

If you want to see a great performance, hear great jazz musicians, and even feel like you can bring a friend who isn’t sure he/she likes jazz, then Grace Kelly is a must.  She will be at the Ferring Jazz Bistro in Grand Center thru Saturday evening and some tickets are still available at https://tickets.jazzstl.org/calendar/2017-10-06, by calling the box office at 314-571-6000 or emailing boxoffice@jazzstl.org.

Let me know what you think.