Kelly McCarty

Kelly McCarty is a 2011 masters recipient of Florida State University, under the tutelage of renowned bassist Rodney Jordan. Prior to that, he received his undergraduate degree from Kansas State University, where he had the pleasure of studying with Dr. Wayne Goins. While earning his BM in Music Composition and Theory, he was fortunate enough to accompany the KSU Symphony Band on its tour through Australia, New Zealand, and Fiji in 2006, as well as lead the KSU jazz combo that toured through Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay in 2007. 

As a bassist and 8-string player, Kelly has been the leader of his own groups since 2005. Most recently, he released "A Periapsis Suite," a five movement, longform, electric jazz quartet suite, to critical avail and international radio airplay. This was a follow-up to the popular 8-string trio record "Rouxsteady." Both were released on 72 Offsuit Records, an indie-venture label. Kelly's groups have been featured performers multiple times at both the Coleman Hawkins Jazz Festival and Little Apple Jazz Festival. Kelly has also been fortunate to share the stage with Jimmy Cobb, Danny Gottlieb, Marcus Roberts, Wayne Goins, Ron McCurdy, Frank Mantooth, Paul McKee, Craig Treinen, Leon Anderson, John Ricci, and Longineau Parsons.

In the theatre realm,  Kelly performs regularly for Big League Productions, most recently with the first national tour of "A Christmas Story." Previous tours include  international tours of "My Fair Lady" and "Hello, Dolly!" Numerous regional credits include his favorite, on-stage portrayals in "Ring of Fire" (Alhambra Theatre, Jacksonville, FL) and "Beehive" (Emporia State University).

Always actively involved in the education field, Kelly has previously served on staff at both Florida State University and Kansas State University as Adjunct Professor of Jazz Bass. While also maintaining a private studio of over 30 students per week, these positions provided opportunities to teach jazz combos, big bands,  jazz styles and analysis, and history of jazz. Alongside being a featured clinician at both the Florida State University and Washburn University summer youth jazz clinics, Kelly has also participated as a judge for the private auditions of the IAJE Nationwide Youth Grammy Band.

A native of Emporia, KS, Kelly currently resides at his Atlanta, GA home with his fiancée, Florence.