The Kathleen Grace Band lives somewhere between cheeky and poignant, plugging their brand of jazz, rock, and folk into the purity of music and coming up with awe-inspiring results.
With Grace on vocals, Perry Smith on guitar, Matt Politano on piano, Matt Mayhall on drums, and Sam Minaie on bass, the KGB (don’t worry, McCain) plays a clean, grounded style that is often categorized appropriately as “indie jazz.”
Based out of Los Angeles, Grace and her band have worked through the music scene in the area with their attention to detail, extraordinary storytelling abilities, and delightfully pure music.
Their third release is Mirror, a selection of tracks with modern day fables serving as the cores of the songs. These stories of love, power, loss, and passion are charming and textured. They serve as reminders of our humanity, of our reflections, and of the inner compartments of our hearts.
The record speaks the languages of folk, jazz, rock, and pop magnificently and expressively, never force-feeding one genre to the listener. Six of the seven songs were written by Grace and members of her band, while the seventh (“Let Me Go”) is a Randy Newman hit.
The title track kicks things off with a beautiful piano introduction that gives way to Grace’s wholesome voice. The tune takes its inspiration from Snow White, the Brothers Grimm version of course, and Grace assumes the roles of both the witch and the princess in the blossoming song.
“Penny” is a sparkling ditty that begins with a haunting introduction. The song hops along with bouncy piano and Grace’s crystal tones, easing through jazzy segments and flowing with luscious pop. And the homage to Grace’s hometown of Tuscon, “Elijah,” uncurls with stunning harmonies and a tender musical backdrop that feels suited to candlelit dinners.
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