We are in NYC and I just attended the ASCAP "young jazz composer” award ceremony.  It was a great night and I’m honored to have been chosen in that category.  There were many speakers and performances.  They were honoring living legend Jimmy Heath and George Avakian and also historical legends Oscar Peterson and Nina Simone.  One of the speakers was Paul Williams. Funny story:  after I was meeting some of these people and went up to Mr. Williams to talk to him and get a photo.  He then said to me, "Congratulations Really looking forward to seeing huge things from you Grace.”  I ran back to my Dad and was so excited saying, "he remembered my name!! How did he remember my name?!”  And then I realized that my nametag was smack in the middle of my outfit. Haha.  Thought that was funny. 

It was so great to see Jimmy Heath honored.  I met him 4 years ago at the Stanford Jazz workshop and we’ve been in contact ever since.  He has so much youthfulness and still sounds amazing.  I swear he hasn’t aged at all.  He’s like cheese!  Or rather really good wine!