Jeff Lorber & Grace Kelly at Manchester Craftsmen's Guild

Trailblazing pianist, composer, producer, and bandleader Jeff Lorber is a consummate artist who continues to push himself to new plateaus. There is a palpable energy when Lorber talks about his creative process. “I really love writing, recording and performing. I don’t look at this as work,” confides the pianist. “I’d much rather have some playing that has a ‘vibe’ over something that doesn’t but is more technically perfect. A true clinician, Lorber has made it a point to study the long line of modern jazz pianists since 1945. “Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea have been major influences but I had to go back and try to figure out who they listened to and were inspired by,” says Lorber. “Some of these icons that come to mind are Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, McCoy Tyner and Bud Powell.” He adds, "I also can't forget all of the pianists who played with Miles Davis such as Red Garland, Wynton Kelly, Tommy Flanagan and Horace Silver.”...

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Trailblazing pianist, composer, producer, and bandleader Jeff Lorber is a consummate artist who continues to push himself to new plateaus. There is a palpable energy when Lorber talks about his creative process. “I really love writing, recording and performing. I don’t look at this as work,” confides the pianist. “I’d much rather have some playing that has a ‘vibe’ over something that doesn’t but is more technically perfect. A true clinician, Lorber has made it a point to study the long line of modern jazz pianists since 1945. “Herbie Hancock and Chick Corea have been major influences but I had to go back and try to figure out who they listened to and were inspired by,” says Lorber. “Some of these icons that come to mind are Bill Evans, Thelonious Monk, McCoy Tyner and Bud Powell.” He adds, "I also can't forget all of the pianists who played with Miles Davis such as Red Garland, Wynton Kelly, Tommy Flanagan and Horace Silver.”

Singer, saxophonist, and composer Grace Kelly plays with the heart and passion of an old soul yet with the genre-bending zest and energy of a 25 year old. Kelly has drawn critical praise and new fans every year with headlining over 700 shows in 30 countries including major jazz festivals from Montreux to Newport to Montreal. “Grace Kelly has an electric charisma on-stage that instantly ignites the room,” says Jon Batiste. She wrote her first song at 7 years old, recorded her first CD at 12, orchestrated and performed her original composition with the Boston Pops Orchestra at 14, and performed at President Obama’s Inauguration at 16. Already known for defying genres with her award-winning music, Kelly is picking up steam by rewriting the rules of the performance experience.

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