Studio City's Julie Kelly Performs Live Jazz October 28 at Catalina's Bar & Grill

Jazz singing maestro, Julie Kelly, is hosting a CD release party on October 28, 8:30pm (one show only), at Catalina’s Bar & Grill, Hollywood’s premiere jazz venue.

Don’t miss this once-in-a-blue-moon event featuring top notch musicians who participated on Kelly’s CD: gifted pianist and Grammy winner, Bill Cunliffe; A plus drummer, Joe La Barbera (who accompanied the brilliant Bill Evans); incomparable bassist, Chris Colangelo; renowned guitarist, Anthony Wilson (son of infamous big band leader Gerald Wilson); skillful percussionist, Walter Rodriguez; superb saxophonist, Bob Sheppard; terrific trumpeteer, Ron Stout; talented trombonist, Bob McChesney; and phenomenal guest vocalist, John Proulx.

Kelly describes Catalina’s as “the most prestigious jazz club in LA. I’m looking forward to bringing my music to their lovely stage. It’s going to be an incredible party!”

Tickets at catalinajazzclub.com

Julie has lived in Studio City since 1980, where she resides with her husband, cameraman, Sam DiMaggio. She savors “looking at the view from our front porch in the morning with coffee and the LA Times. We’re up in the foothills so we can see the Valley floor and Santa Monica Mountain range. It’s dazzling at night too!”

Kelly enjoys hiking and walking Fryman Canyon; browsing through Studio City’s Sunday Farmer’s Market; shopping at Soto for affordable clothing, jewelry, and gifts; and morning strides along the LA River, culminating in a coffee stop at Aroma’s Cafe in Tujunga Village.

Julie’s musical career began in high school with her twin sister, Kate. They played guitars while singing folk music and blues. She attributes learning about jazz to hanging out in her 20’s and 30’s at great San Francisco record stores: The Magic Flute, The Jazz Disc, and later, Tom Madden’s place.

According to Kelly, “I’d spend hours in these stores, listening, buying LPs, exchanging them, listening more, hearing stories told about the musicians, etc. This was Jazz Appreciation 101!”

A memorable moment for Julie was performing with celebrated bassist, Ray Brown. She recalls, “He was playing with a trio, but his playing was so complete and swinging it was really all that was needed - just the bass! It was profoundly exciting and…a magical experience for me.”

Regarding her new CD, “Happy To Be,” Kelly revealed, “I love all the music…it’s difficult to pick favorites! I’m thrilled to present lyrics by other vocalists, Inga Swearingen and Fleurine, both remarkable artists performing today.” In addition, Julie expressed that “singing tunes by Bob Dorough and Dave Frishberg was deeply satisfying.”

Another highlight was recording “I Wish I Could Go Traveling,” one of Stacy Kent’s signature songs, with amazing lyrics by Kazuo Ishiguro and composed by Kent’s husband, saxophonist, Jim Tomlinson.

Kelly’s extremely grateful that “Happy to Be” is comprised of arrangements by local heavyweights: Cunliffe, Jeff Collela, Jacob Mann, and Otmaro Ruiz.

Julie credits the triumph of her CD to co-producers Cunliffe, Barbara Brighton, and Carlos del Rosario (responsible for vocal editing, mixing, and mastering). “I couldn’t have succeeded to the extent I have without these wonderful and accomplished artists at the helm!”

“Recording is a treat,” Kelly admits, “but performing in front of fans and friends on October 28th at Catalina’s will release it’s own special energy. It’s the merging of performance and a listening audience that really makes music come alive!”

Below are some pertinent reviews for your perusal:

“Happy To Be has it all: fine instrumental solos, a Rolls-Royce rhythm section, sharp arrangements, choice material, and a stellar singer who makes great use of it all.”
— Dan Bilawsky, All About Jazz

“Great tone, magnificent phrasing and the innate ability to sing with the band and not around them has Happy to Be one of the more entertaining vocal releases this year. More than just a pretty face, Julie Kelly is one of those rare triple threats in improvisational music. An acclaimed vocalist, lyricist and educator has Julie Kelly crawling inside a lyric but never getting in her own way. Julie Kelly is considered one of the best vocalists on the west coast, it’s easy to see why!”
— Brent Black, Critical Jazz, August 26, 2014

“Kelly handles each piece with care, paying close attention to mood, dynamics and articulation while interpreting lyrics in a straightforward manner that eschews needless embroidery. She clearly knows how to swing, as she shows on Peterson’s “Happy to Be,” Dorough’s “You’re the Dangerous Type” or Thad Jones’ “High in the Sky,” and is rhythmically sharp as well.”
— Jack Bowers, All About Jazz, September 4, 2014