Will Boyd  Project  featuring Kelle Jolly
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Will Boyd Project featuring Kelle Jolly

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"Duo brings jazzy groove to Swank's on Saturday"

For a joint to earn admiring reviews from jazz scholar and musician Will Boyd, you know it's got to be a happening place.

His admiration is one reason that Boyd and his singing partner -- local chanteuse -- have taken a shine to Swank's Jazz Restaurant and Bar. Saturday's appearance will mark the third time the pair have brought their act to downtown Maryville.

"I like the look of the place -- it looks like a real jazz club," Boyd told The Daily Times this week.

"Everything from the colors of the walls to the sinks in the bathroom!" Jolly added, giggling. "I appreciate the owners making music the forefront of the restaurant. Sometimes, you can play at a place and the owners emphasize everything but the music. I appreciate them at Swank's for being advocates for jazz. It's intimate, friendly and nice, and they make it real comfortable for us and the audience."

If the two have a penchant for completing each other's thoughts and finishing one another's sentences, it's to be expected -- they're partners both professionally and romantically. In fact, they plan to marry later this year when they perform in Japan, but their history goes back more than a decade, when they were both students at South Carolina State University.

Boyd played saxophone and Jolly played mellophone; after graduating, Boyd came to Knoxville to study in the University of Tennessee's prestigious jazz program under Donald Brown and Jerry Coker.

"I thought the jazz scene in Knoxville was pretty good," he said. "Where I was from, I didn't get to play much jazz, per se. It was mostly R B, and I found jazz to be more abundant in Knoxville."

Within three or four months of moving here, he landed a gig with the Jobe Blues Band. Eventually, he joined the band of which he's still a member today, Groove Therapy. In the meantime, Jolly wound up in Chattanooga, singing with a blues band and the Malemen Showband, but opportunities were limited there, and she decided to move to Knoxville. A mutual friend of both suggested they get in touch with one another, and Boyd invited Jolly to sit in with his other group, the Will Boyd Project.

That was two years ago, and their relationship -- with one another and with East Tennessee itself -- has continued to evolve.

"It was an easy decision for me to come here, because there are a lot of art venues, music venues and galleries, as well as a bigger and more educated audience," she said. "That makes it easy for a musician. Even before I moved here, I came here to listen to jazz, and I was surprised that, in Tennessee, there was a city that supported a jazz scene the way Knoxville does. I'm glad it's as active as it is."

For Boyd, the lure of the UT Jazz Program, which supplies a ready crop of players, is one factor in the robust nature of the scene. Coming from a background heavy in R B, he was ready to rise to the challenge that jazz offered.

"You want to keep your edge as a player, and even R B players want to work and study in jazz because it makes other styles of playing easier," he said. "It's a lot of fun, being able to express yourself and be creative with it."

Together, they make a sublime team -- with Jolly on vocals and Will holding down the ship with a steady sax groove, it's a give-and-take relationship that draws on the strengths of both musicians.

"I just think it comes off so well when we combine Will's arrangement of a piece with a way of performing that's complimentary to each other," she said. "In my mind, I want to be as melodic and delicate and pretty in a performance as I can with Will's chords and arpeggios underneath the melody, and I think that's just the way we are. I'm the wild, crazy one going here and there, and Will is the steady rock underneath it all." - By Steve Wildsmith of The Daily Times Staff


"MUSIC OF THE HEART: Couple, brought together by their love of jazz, to exchange vows at Japanese music festival"

Twelve years ago, Will Boyd of Orangeburg met Kelle Jolly, a Decatur, Ga., native, at South Carolina State University. They both loved jazz music and have been inducted into the South Carolina State University Hall of Fame for their commitment to and excellence in the genre.

Boyd, a saxophonist, and Jolly, a vocalist, never dreamed they would meet again after graduation, but they reconnected while living in Tennessee. And they never suspected that years after their first meeting at S.C. State, they would have a love story to share.

"I was living in Chattanooga, and Will was living in Knoxville," Jolly said. "A mutual friend suggested that we get together to perform the traditional jazz music we both enjoy.

"Before we even realized it, performing together evolved into spending time together and falling in love."

Today, Boyd and Jolly perform at various live music venues in and around Knoxville, including the Knoxville Museum of Art, Beck Cultural Center and Swank's Jazz Restaurant in Maryville.

The couple has also participated in the world-famous Muroran Jazz Cruise in Muroran, Japan -- a venue that would come into play in their story.

While the name might conjure up visions of lounging on a cruise ship while being entertained by jazz musicians, Jolly said that's not exactly the case.

"The Muroran Jazz Cruise is actually a day-long jazz concert that is held in a huge warehouse located in the downtown area of Muroran that is situated right by the water," she said. "The building seats more than 2,000 people, and the performers include everyone from local, teenage jazz students to world-renowned jazz greats such as Selena Jones and Sadao Watanabe. There are local food and craft vendors set up outside the warehouse, and everyone has a good time."

Muroran, Japan, is known for its jazz scene, Jolly said, and city leaders created the Muroran Jazz Cruise in an effort to rekindle its reputation and boost tourism. For their performance in 2006, Boyd and Jolly dressed in yakatas, or "summertime kimonos."

"Our Japanese friends took us to the mall to shop for yakatas," Jolly said. "We ended up in the section of the store where they sell formal and custom-made yakatas. The sales-lady was friendly and helpful, even though she didn't speak English. She insisted that Will and I put on the gold-sequin yakatas and was happy to see how much I loved them. She offered to let me wear the gold kimono at the jazz concert, and I did.

"On the day of the concert, I walked out on stage wearing the gold-spangled yakata, and all I heard were 'oohs' and 'ahhs' coming from the crowd."

While touring the Japanese city during that trip two years ago, Boyd and Jolly happened upon a replica of the Swan Bridge and learned about its ancient legend.

"According to legend, if you leave one of the placards with your name on it on the replica of the Swan Bridge, you will get married," Jolly said. "And so, Will and I began planning on getting married in Japan."

In what might be considered by some a twist of fate, the couple was selected by the Muroran Club of Knoxville and its sister city partner to perform at this year's eighth annual Muroran Jazz Cruise on Saturday, Aug. 23.

Each year, musicians participate in the musical and educational exchange to strengthen the relationship between the two cities, Jolly said. But this year's Muroran Jazz Cruise will be the first involving a wedding ceremony. Boyd and Jolly will exchange their wedding vows on Thursday, Aug. 21.

"A member of the Knoxville Club in Muroran is making all the arrangements for us," Jolly said. "She has secured the wedding location and the Swan Bridge as well as the officiator for the marriage ceremony. We will be wearing the traditional wedding kimono, but the ceremony will be a Christian ceremony" performed by a New Zealand missionary who has lived with his wife in Muroran for more than 50 years.

"Hopefully, there will be a flute and guitar player performing all the music, from jazz standards to hymns," she said.

Other details include a wedding reception at the Prince Hotel in downtown Muroran and a hometown reception in Tennessee when the couple returns to Knoxville.

"I am making a 1940s-style wedding gown of off-white lace to change into after the wedding at the Swan Bridge," Jolly said, adding that she also crafted her cake topper and designed the invitations for the Knoxville reception. "All of our musician friends will be at the reception, and I hope it's a real jam session."

Boyd said exchanging their wedding vows in Japan affirms their belief that God will answer prayers.

As the interview ended, Jolly dashed off to attend a cake testing in preparation of their upcoming wedding.

"One of our cakes will be made with green tea," the bride-to-be said. "Will really loves green tea." - By SONJA GLEATON, T&D Features WriterMonday, August 18, 2008


Discography

Dreams of Muroran 2008

www.kellewillandme.com

Photos

Bio

KELLE JOLLY
"Once it's over, all we have are memories." And it's her memories that motivate Kelle to keep making more music. Though her parents were not working musicians, her mother sang songs and her Dad even joined in with his mouth harp. They modeled a love of music and taught Kelle that music has a purpose in our lives. Kelle Jolly studied Voice as a Music Education major at South Carolina State University. Unlike most voice majors, she joined the marching, jazz and symphonic band. Her talent and consciousnesses lead her to be inducted in the South Carolina State Jazz Hall of Fame. "The Hall of Fame pictures hung on the walls of the 101 band hall. Every senior that had been inducted was on the wall, as well as, all the famous musicians like Dizzy Gillespie who held honorary memberships for their participation in the annual Jazz Week observance." She spent time performing locally in Chattanooga after graduating and served as lead singer for the Malemen Showband for about 2 1/2 years, a cover band that has been together for over 30years. Upon moving to Knoxville, Kelle collaborated with Will Boyd for jazz performances at the Beck Cultural Center and 4620 Jazz Restaurant. In 2006, they both represented the city of Knoxville at its sister city jazz festival in Muroran, Japan (www.jazzcruise.net) The duo just completed a second trip where they debuted their album entitled," Dreams of Muroran", an album consisting of songs dedicated to their friends in Muroran to thank them for organizing the couple's wedding there at the Hakucho Bridge on August 21st, 2008. This musical duo looks for to more recording, performing internationally and and growing together musically.

WILL BOYD
Saxophonist, Composer, Actor and Educator - Will Boyd has spent most of his life performing for many audiences with a variety of groups. He is known for playing in many genre's including jazz, gospel, rock, blues, latin, neo-soul, r & b and afro beat/ reggae. A native of Orangeburg, SC, Will graduated from South State University with a degree in music business. In 1997, he was inducted into the SC State Jazz Hall of Fame. Will Boyd serves as an artist in residence for the State of South Carolina and is a member of Phi Mu Alpha professional music fraternity. Will has performed with many artists from various genres including Glen Jones, William Bell, Fred Wesley, Donald Brown, Jerry Coker, James Moody, John Blackwell, Jeff Coffin, Ira Sullivan, Gary Foster, Suzie Kuroiwa, Debra Brown, Crystal Collins, The Four Tops, Maceo Parker, Platters, Sherrels, Coasters, Drifters, Wycliffe Gordon, Zim Ngqwana, Phil Driscol and many others. He has performed with many college, community jazz groups as well as well known professional groups such as South Carolina State Jazz Ensemble, UT Big Band, Cleveland Jazz Machine, Clafin Univ. Jazz Orchestra, Streamliners Big Band, Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, the Lee Univ. Jazz Faculty Ensemble, and the Harry James Orchestra. Will has performed in many different countries and all over the US. In November of 2007, Will performed at the Gemenites Steel Drum anniversary with Shades of Gospel in Antigua. In August 2006, Will, along vocalist Kelle Jolly, was featured at the Muroran Jazz Cruise (see pics) in Muroran, Hokkaido, Japan as well as performed at the Day by Day Jazz club in Sopporo, Japan. Then in August of 2008, Will and Kelle returned to Muroran perform at the festival and have their wedding. Past festival performances include 3 Rivers, 4 Bridges, River Bend, Secret City, Rossini, Dogwood Arts, Kuumba, Chattanooga Choo Choo, and Culture Fest. Will currently lives in Knoxville TN, where he keeps a busy schedule playing at clubs, private parties, festivals and teaching. He has recently appeared on the live album of Overcoming Faith Christian Center " The Vision". He received honorable mention in the forward of acclaimed jazz educator Jerry Coker's book " Keys Unlocked". He is also in several ensembles including Shades of Gospel featuring Dr. Marvelene Moore, The Will Boyd Project, Afro-Beat group Ogya (og-cha) (fire) lead by Kofi Mawuko of Ghana, funk jazz group Groove Therapy and fusion jazz group Dawn of Destiny. He is also a member of the music staff at Caanan Baptist Church of Christ with pastor Harold A. Middlebrooke. Will can also be seen making his acting debut on Oxygen Network's crime reenactment shows Captured, and Snapped.

Influences:
Patti Austin, Anita Baker, Chaka Khan, Stevie Wonder,
Earth, Wind & Fire, DeBarge, Grover Washington Jr, Donny Hathaway, Bill Withers and Sara Vaughn

www.kellewillandme.com