Posted on: January 4, 2009 Posted by: anfnewsacct Comments: 0

TEXAS STATE MUSICIAN NOMINEE Piano Poundin’, Rhythm Rockin’, Bass Kickin’ the Queen of Swing® Kelli Grant Very few musicians are recognized for creating a sound. Kelli has created her own unique and recognizable style, defined as … “Swing-a-Billy™“ At the tender age of 7, Kelli’s Mother taught her to play a walking bassline with her left hand, popularized by Walter Page from Count Basie’s Band & the “swing” era since her hands were too small to reach the customary octave and 10th’s her Mother played.

Over the years Kelli has cultivated and perfected her left hand into a truly awesome and unsurpassed bassline. Kelli is the foundation and backbone of her band, “the Swing Kings.” With gyrating leads (PIANO POUNDIN’), a pulse driving rhythm (RHYTHM ROCKIN’), and an unsurpassed walking left handed bassline (BASS KICKIN’) THAT IS ALL LIVE, Kelli’s signature style “swings,” in the truest definition of the word confirming her to be the one & only, the Queen of Swingâ„¢ “You do NOT swing if you only sing ;o)” Not many artist are credited with creating their own musical style. Kelli loves all kinds of music and really does not like being categorized in one genre.

Proving that, she has been listed, recognized and charted in variety of musical genres: Blues, Jazz, Western Swing, Pop, Rock-a-Billy … all with a SWING foundation Kelli says her music style is very simple to define, “it’s …. SWING-A-BILLY â„¢ Basic Mixture: Swing + Gyrating, Piano Poundin’ Leads (Swing & Rock-a-Billy) Complete Recipe: “Swing-a-Billy™” 2 parts – Louie Prima 1 part – Count Basie Pinch – Billie Holliday 2 Cups – Ray Charles 1 Cup – Benny Goodman 1 stick – Judy Garland 1 rounded teaspoon – Bob Wills Vigorously stir in 3 Tablespoons – Jerry Lee Lewis Top with Sprinkles of – Little Richard, Spoon into Lace doily on Silver tray & served Piping – “HOT!“ This makes a wonderful and eclectic musical dish for a night filled serving that’s diverse, extremely entertaining and highly energetic. A very satisfying array of delicacies that only the Queen of Swingâ„¢ can bring. Carl Perkins took notice of Kelli’s unique piano style and tagged her, “the Queen of Swing,” now a registered trademark.

This is not the first time Kelli has been recognized in R&B. Kelli received an “Honorable Mention” from Billboard for her R&B original, “The Way Love Use to Be” off her “Honky Tonk Swing” CD. She has also worked and recorded with several Rock-a-Billy & R&B legends, as notated in the album liner of Mercury Recording artist, “Mr. Action” Roy Moss, released by Warner Bros. German affiliate, Eagle Records. She also played piano on a couple of cuts by European legend, “Groovy” Joe Poovey. Kelli is a great ambassador proclaiming in her music her love of Texas and America! Required Sponsoring & Nomination for inclusion in the Mid-America Arts Alliance & the Mid-Atlantic International Touring Rosters, Kelli’s performance fees are subsidized by the National Endowment of the Art. http://www.maaa.org/rtp/artists (type in Kelli Grant in search) Written and designed as a clever way to showcase her CD’s and award winning songwriting talents, her highly acclaimed original revue, “Swingin’ the Blues” ”swing‘s” from New Orleans to New York City, Chicago to Kansas City and Memphis to Texas, but unquestionably paying homage to our American musical heritage demonstrating “swing’s” evolution into a musical revolution, ~“Rock ‘n Roll.“~

CREDENTIALS: Kelli Grant, the Queen of Swingâ„¢: 2007 – TEXAS STATE MUSICIAN NOMINEE Who’s Who Entertainment ’07/’08 registered Library of Congress, Washington,D.C. World Who’s Who Jazz Cabaret Singers, New York, NY – Federation of American Musicians, ’08 Western Swing Hall of Fame – Seattle, Wa. Will Rogers Award Nominee – Academy of Western Artist Honorable Mention – Billboard, L.A. – R&B Mid-America Arts Alliance Touring Roster – 2007 / 2008 Texas Touring Roster – 2001 – 2007 Isle of Capri Casino – Blue Book, BEST SHOWS – Trela Wilson, Ent. Dir. NARAS – voting member 2001 Vocalist Nominee – Grammy Board of Directors – Tx. Chapter Public Service Announcements – Texas Department of Transportation – litter campaign, “Don’t Mess With Texas” International Recording Artist – Warner Bros. German affiliate, Eagle Records Music Graduate – Kilgore Jr. College / Stephen F. Austin State University Scholarships: Voice, Clarinet, Stageband, Awarded Vivian Thyng scholarship of Excellence / Music Theory Kelli was publicly declared, “an exceptional entertainer” and has headlined in the biggest venues with the biggest stars. She has been listed in the Isle of Capri Casino’s Blue Book as one of their BEST SHOWS CD’s: Swing-a-Billy – 2009, is a declaration of the signature style that is unique to her alone. Honky Tonk Swing – Kelli received an “Honorable Mention” from Billboard for her R&B original, “The Way Love Use to Be”. Swings & Sings – swings East to West validating her title & nomination for Texas State Musician by playing: Piano, Bass, Organ, Clarinet, Bari-Sax, Banjo & Drums. Don’t Mess With Texas – the title cut WOWED! The Texas Department of Transportation which issued a Special license for use of their logo, a first for TxDot. Kelli also recorded PSA’s for their litter campaign Softer Side of Swing – showcases Kelli’s low, sultry and passionate vocals. Classic pop style that is a softer side of the Swing Queen; On the Grammy list for “Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album” NOT Nominated Blues to Me! – Recognized by some as one of the most comprehensive collections demonstrating the diverse styles of the blues: Jump, Swing, Rhythm, Western and the low down dirty sounds of ‘pure” blues, showcasing Kelli’s award winning songwriting talents Swing ‘n Blues – is a reflection of her highly acclaimed original revue, “Swingin’ the Blues”. CD hailed for the magnificent jazz improves by Kelli and her band, “the Swing Kings” Swing Like That – a tribute to Texas Swing and it‘s innovator. Being from Texas & the Queen of Swingâ„¢, it was only natural for this Texan to explore, research and record an album devoted to Texas Swing.

CD AVAILABLE thru these sites www.KelliGrant.com * www.CDBaby.com * www.aolmusic.com * www.itunes.com * www.allmusicguide.com * www.buy.com * www.CDUniverse.com * www.amazonmusic.com

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