Rich Kelley

BEFORE: Before COVID, Rich was a thriving freelancer with a wide variety of work from pop shows to jazz combos to church soloist. Rich is an amazing trumpeter and singer. On trumpet, he plays regularly with the Boston Symphony and Pops, often the musician chosen to play the “stand up, improvised” solos in the Boston Pops shows at Symphony Hall and on tour around the world. Rich has also added in more professional singing engagements in the past 3 years, doing choral work, jazz combo, Gregorian Chants church cantoring and various recordings.

Rich playing trumpet and singing “Georgia” with a small combo

NOW: When COVID shut everything down in March, like all musicians across New England, ALL of Rich’s work was suddenly gone! Slowly, some recordings and teaching are returning-mostly thanks to Zoom and Skype- but he continues to feel a 70% income loss.

Rich recording an instructional video for Shelter Music Boston, from his home during the quarantine.

HOPE: Rich says “I am thankful for the kindness of many groups that have helped me keep up with my bills, but I truly miss feeling like an independent adult in the world! Here’s to progress and health to us all!”