First performing together at the 1997 Montreux Jazz Festival in Switzerland, vocalist Lisa Kelly and trumpeter JB Scott have continued to enjoy a most successful musical partnership as featured soloists and guest artist/clinicians, and as group leaders of their own KELLY-SCOTT QUINTET and other small groups, trio to sextet (classic swing to modern mainstream), JB SCOTT’S SWINGIN’ ALLSTARS (New Orleans/Chicago Swing), 10-piece mini big band, SOPHISTICATED SWING, and full 18-piece big band, THE FLORIDA SWING ORCHESTRA.
Lisa and JB are both award-winning musical artists, clinicians, and music mentors, of regional to international experience and standing. Each are profiled among 120 top international jazz artists and educators in the acclaimed 2010 book, “The New Face of Jazz,” and are inductees in the Jacksonville Jazz Festival “Hall of Fame” (2013, 2017). Popular for their very likeable chemistry, known for consistently presenting high level, expressively swinging jazz in an authentic and entertaining delivery, Lisa and JB have continued to enjoy an ever-expanding, multi-generational, and loyal fan base.
An eight-time Downbeat Magazine award winner for voice, composition, and arranging, Lisa Kelly is known for her sophisticated stage presence and song styling. She sings with genuine nuance and ease, her delivery is smooth, warm, and clear toned, reminiscent of Sarah Vaughan, Julie London, Ella Fitzgerald, and Diana Krall. Lisa conveys a deep awareness of the lyrics, intimately conveying their story. Her intuitive sense of time, pitch, and harmony in an ‘instrumental’ approach to phrasing also allows her the freedom to explore the music through tasteful improvisation and artful scat. A regarded jazz artist-educator, Lisa has shared her experience and skills in the mentoring of many aspiring jazz vocalists and instrumentalists, high school to adult, through formal teaching, in her private studio, and in clinics, major workshops, and jazz camps, regionally to internationally.
The hard swinging, soulful lines of trumpeter JB Scott, a la Freddie Hubbard, Clark Terry, Louis Armstrong, Dizzy Gillespie, and Ruby Braff, skillfully reflect his level of experience and versatility of style. JB’s masterful interpretive style on trumpet and flugelhorn is sassy, grooving, fiery, and beautifully sensitive. His background includes years spent playing in the New Orleans clubs of Bourbon Street as the front man for the Dukes of Dixieland, in the Latin clubs of Miami, on tours in Japan with the Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey Circus, of being featured with symphonies, and in the big band sections of Jimmy Dorsey Orchestra and the Larry Elgart Orchestra. Experience he continues to pass on as Coord. of Jazz Studies at UNF and director of the flagship UNF JE 1 big band.
Lisa Kelly & JB Scott’s often repeated performances have included: Montreux Jazz Festival (Switzerland), Festival Vien Jazz Festival (Austria), Pescara Jazz Festival (Italy), North Sea Jazz Festival (Netherlands), Monterey Jazz Festival, Clearwater Jazz Holiday, Sacramento Jazz Jubilee, Elkhart Jazz Festival, Mammoth Lakes Jazz Festival, Bix Beiderbecke Memorial Jazz Festival, Jacksonville Jazz Festival, Suncoast Jazz Classic, Savannah Jazz Festival, Jazz By The Bay Festival, Lakeside Jazz Festival, Walt Disney World's Pleasure Island Jazz Club, Duke's Jazz Bar (Switzerland), The Kravis Center, The Van Weizel Performing Arts Center, the Jazz Corner, Heidi's Jazz Club, and numerous other international festivals, clubs, jazz cruises, jazz societies and music programs from high school to collegiate. Lisa and JB have appeared with such jazz luminaries as Dave Brubeck, Ed Calle, Slide Hampton, Arturo Sandoval, Bunky Green, Bill Waltrous, Bill Allred, Jane Monheit, Alan Vache, Larry Elgart, Carmen Bradford, Mullgrew Miller and Claudio Rodeti. Their group rhythm sections have included Lynne Arriale, Cyrus Chestnut, Jeff Phillips, Per Danielsson, Kevon Bales, Joshua Bowlus, Aaron Lehrian, Doug Matthews, Barry Greene, Yotam Silberstein, Dennis Marks, Mike Perez, Jay Mueller, John Lee, Ed Wise, Richard Drexler, Rodney Whitacker, Danny Gottlieb, Eddie Metz, Jr, Jeremy Smith, and Clyde Conner. In June 2003, they were profiled as featured artists “deserving of wider recognition” on the Southern Arts Federation CD, "Jazz South" distributed to 100's of worldwide radio stations. They have been featured on countless TV and radio shows, commercials, and recordings, including the St. Johns River City Band projects, Swingin’ Up The River (2001) and Silver Threads, The 25th Anniversary (2009). They have co-released six CD’s: Lisa Kelly, By Request (1997), Keepin’ Out of Mischief Now (2000), Memories of Tomorrow (2001), Live at Simons (2003), and Just Swingin’! (2008), and Renditions: The Summer Sessions (2014) available on their CDBaby.com and their website, KellyScottMusic.com. In 2011, Kelly and Scott were two of 320 international jazz artists profiled in the book, "The New Face of Jazz," Amazon.com. In 2013, Lisa Kelly was inducted into the Jacksonville Jazz Festival “Hall of Fame,” JB Scott was inducted in 2017. JB Scott is a Warburton Signature Artist.
WHAT FOLKS ARE SAYING …
Dear Lisa and JB,
On behalf of our department and students, I want to express our utmost gratitude to you and your quintet for devoting an entire day to work with our students and leave them with such an inspiring and memorable day! The clinic was just amazing - it is exactly what these kids needed, both your comments and guidance, in what they need to work on in order to pursue their “intuitive” gifts. What you said about listening, studying, transcribing, applying, etc. was essential for them to hear. And of course, to hear your group perform with such high level of artistry in your craft, in different styles of jazz, was paramount! Bringing the students on stage at the end to perform side by side with you I know was a memory and privilege they will take away with them for the rest of their lives. It was great to hear improvements in many of the students at the end, just after one day of working with you! As I mentioned to you earlier, these kids are thirsty for this type of guidance and mentorship in jazz.
I am hoping we can indeed have you back for a couple of workshops later this spring, so that this amazing event does not fall through the cracks in their education. It was such a pleasure to finally meet you all in person and to hear such an incredible performance! Thank you, it was truly inspiring!!! I look forward to attending your future performances in the area.
Let’s keep in touch, all my best,
Dr. Rose Grace, Bethun-Cookman University
Both Lisa and Partner J.B. are – like all the members of their band – highly proficient professionals who play their jazz with a verve and polish that’s rare today. It’s possible with sophisticated talents like these for the resultant music to be too clever – too professional. It could so easily be superficial and lack conviction. But these guys are not guilty – they’re polished yes but also very exciting and frequently exhilarating. Lisa’s vocals are a joy – she’s so refreshing and original.
This is a band you must hear!
Brian Harvey, The Hot Jazz Channel
"Just finished listening to Memories Of Tomorrow on YouTube. Just. Wow! Terrific horns, awesome keyboards. Your beckoning voice is hauntingly reminiscent of Roberts Flack's inimitable style and overall sound . . . amazingly so. Loved every selection and look forward to hearing more. Do you tour or play regularly anywhere? Would love to see and hear you all perform sometime. Glad I stumbled upon your music. I may be your newest big fan!"
Rich G, TX.
Click on "CD Store" to purchase
Each profiled in the international book, “The New Face of Jazz,” multi-award winning Lisa Kelly vocalist & highly regarded trumpeter JB Scott co-release this long awaited 2-CD set, featuring music performed with fellow renowned jazz artists regularly heard on their small group bandstand.
Showcasing versatility of presentation & repertoire, CD #1 “The Pedal Sessions” presents the group with Jeff Phillips capably covering keyboard piano, strings, guitar & pedal bass, with former “Navy Commodores” Clyde Connor on drums. CD #2 “The UNF Sessions” (the 1st professional release from the newly created UNF Recording Studio) presents pianists Jeff Phillips & Joshua Bowlus on acoustic piano, Arturo Sandoval bassist Dennis Marks, drummer Clyde Connor, & 2 tunes with guest virtuoso guitarist Barry Greene. Lisa, JB, and former leader of the “Airmen of Note,” trombonist Dave Steinmeyer, are featured throughout the 2-CD project. Seasoned, internationally traveled artists performing “live” a most enjoyable collection of 21 tunes: well loved standards to modern favorites & 4 original compositions. ‘In-the-pocket’ Swing, sensitive ballads, Latin Jazz,shuffles, bop & pop - a little something for everyone!
Feat: Lisa Kelly-Vocalists, JB Scott-trumpet/flugelhorn, Dave Steinmeyer-trombone, Jeff Phillips-Piano & Keyboard piano/bass/guitar/strings, Joshua Bowlus-piano, Dennis Marks-acoustic bass, Clyde Connor-drums, Barry Greene-guitar
Renditions, the Summer Sessions" featured in JAZZIZ MAGAZINE Click here for the review..
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