trumpet | improvisation | composition
Kelly Bray is an improviser recognized for her adventurous and dynamic performances.
While her work draws from many different styles and influences, she is most frequently characterized within the experimental, free jazz, and creative music realms. Bray has performed at venues across the Northeast United States and Canada, appearing alongside acclaimed musicians such as Joe Morris, Brandon Lopez, and Alan Braufman.
A sought-after artist, Bray has been asked to perform in several curated series including, but not limited to, FIM Improvisation (New Haven, CT), Improvisations Now (Hartford, CT), This Music (Cambridge, MA), The Creative Music Series (Somerville, MA), The Driff Fest (Cambridge, MA), Arts in the Margins (Montreal, QC), Instantiation Music Series, and Ars Nova Workshop (Philadelphia, PA).
“Kelly Bray is beyond an up-and-coming creative trumpeter from Boston, she’s a new young leader in improvised music and Free-Jazz and called by many others to be a part of their explorations She pushes the envelope of Jazz, and actually more clearly, merges seamlessly, the Free with New Music.” - Alex Lemski
“As a trumpeter, I can tell you that it takes courage to record in this sort of duo setting. Kelly has that courage in spades.” - Stephen Haynes, an excerpt from his liner notes for BRAY/DUVAL (2024)
“Next up is an excellent album of improvised music by two of the most exciting young improvisors out there … I first heared Kelly Bray & Caleb Duval at the Driff Records Festival a few years ago and it was clear to all of us that that something was happening then. Still, albums this fully formed are rare for everyone.” - Damon Smith