Tori Kelly

The Title Track to 2015: Unbreakable Smile

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Instead of my annual end-of-year reflection piece, I decided to let the music speak for me. I choose the track, “Unbreakable Smile” from Tori Kelly’s debut album because it perfectly personifies my year. There were many milestones — another year of ayminor.com, moving to a new city, my first apartment, a new job, 25 (!!) — but also the challenges in finding my true purpose in life.

That’s when I realized I wanna make a difference
Change other people’s lives, give hope, even for a moment
Use my name for good and change the game I could


Though everything hasn’t gone exactly according to plan, I am not discouraged — I am taking the lessons learned from my successes and failures to apply to my (new) master plan for 2016.

I can’t thank you all enough for your support, and I can’t wait to produce more (and better) content next year. Happy New Year’s Eve and cheers to changing the game in 2016!

J Music: Clarity (Zedd Cover) – Tori Kelly

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Tori, my inspiration for Introduction to Guitar. The course started July 19, but check it out if you don’t mind playing catch-up. (I’ll keep you posted.)

Coursera: Introduction to Guitar

Grasp the essentials needed to begin playing acoustic or electric guitar. You’ll learn an easy approach to get you playing quickly, through a combination of exploring the instrument, performance technique, and basic music theory.

                         by Thaddeus Hogarth (Berklee College of Music)

J Music: Tori Kelly at Gramercy Theater

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Whhewww child, Tori Kelly can blow!! On Tuesday, February 5 Tori Kelly performed at Gramecry Theater for a mixed crowd of industry folks, teeny-boppers, and young adults that hung on her every note. Though the theater was packed, at times the only noise you heard was Tori and her guitar as she hit some of the most surgically produced riffs I have ever heard.  Based on the “oohs” and “aahs” of the crowd, I think everyone felt the same way.

I could go on for days, but I will spare everyone and direct you to my previous post about her virtual Christmas concert in December. For all the good things I had to say about Tori’s abilities then—she sounded even better live. Check out the videos below!

Set List: 

Celestial

Stained

Thinking About Forever

Bring Me Home

Upside Down

Eyelashes

P.Y.T./Rock With You

Confetti

RATING: ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ ✮ (5 out of 5)

Special Edition: Tori Kelly Christmas Special via Stage It

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When I saw Tori Kelly tweet she was having a concert on the 16th, I crossed my fingers that she would be performing in the city, as she recently did a show at the Roxy in LA.

To my surprise, I found out the concert would not be in New York, but would be a virtual concert for fans using the budding online concert venue, StageIt.com.  Although Skype, Ustream, and Google Hangout (amongst others) have made it possible for artists to do live streams with fans, I think the site is a great idea as it is soley dedicated to musicians & performers. Definitely check it out if you get the chance!

Back to Tori — she performed a 50 min set with all the proceeds donated throughout the show going to The Robin Hood Foundation in order to support Hurrican Sandy relief efforts.

She. Was. AMAZING! Accompanied by her guitar, Tori performed all her fan favorites (covers, Christmas music, and original music) while taking requests as she went along.  From the inflections in her voice, to her jazzy, pop, yet R&B tone, her positive spirit to the strong emotional connection to her music, the power behind every note to her ability to duplicate her “once in a lifetime” riffs — I was literally staring at my computer in shock!

She also had a few special guest throughout the show including Alfredo Flores, Cody Simpson, and Scooter Braun.

Set List

Confetti

Oh Sandy

Merry Little Christmas

Dear No One**

PYT 

All in my Head/Thinking About Forever Medley

Silent Night

Worth It/Who You Are Medley**

Eyelashes

This Christmas

**My favorites

Unfortunately there is currently no video of the performance available, but if you have yet to listen to Tori’s music — click here! If I can find a recording of the performance I will post it here.

#ChristmaswithTori raised $6,500 for the foundation!*

See my original post about Tori here.

J Music: Tori Kelly, New Pop Artist

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“Confetti” – Tori Kelly

Tori Kelly may look familiar as she made it through to Hollywood Week on Season 9 of American Idol — and she’s a YouTube Sensation!!!  She also appeared on America’s Most Talented Kids and was signed to Geffen Records at the age of 12.

Watch Tori Kelly, Scott Hoying, Kevin Olusola cover “Princess of China,” originally by Coldplay & Rihanna, below. This cover is amazing.

For more information about Tori Kelly click here.

Buy Tori Kelly’s EP Handmade Songs by Tori Kelly here.