About
Ava Grace Merchant was born in a rural farming community in Northern California. She started performing professionally at fourteen years old, seeking financial independence and artistic escape. It wasn’t long before seven piece blues band “Gravel & Grace” formed, and soon, the group was performing in festivals, concert halls, and recording studios. Their debut album (which featured Ava as a composer, vocalist, and pianist) received domestic and international acclaim from critics, spending nine weeks on the New England Blues Chart and earning hundreds of thousands of streams across platforms worldwide.
Upon graduating high school, Ava Grace declined offers to sign with a record label and instead chose to pursue a higher education in music. This brought her to Berkeley, California, and then to Colorado Springs, Colorado, where she earned her Bachelor of Arts in Music, with a focus in vocal performance. She works as a music director/vocal coach for schools and theater companies in the Colorado Springs area, and gives lessons in voice and songwriting for all ages in her private studio. Please click here to inquire about lessons.
Much of Ava Grace’s time is spent doing live, self-accompanied shows. Recent performance venues include Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, Vegfest, Yosemite Goddess Festival, the Black Rose Acoustic Society, the Colorado Springs Women’s Music Showcase, and numerous weddings and events. Please click here to inquire about hiring her for your venue or event.
As a songwriter, Ava’s work often surrounds feminism, social justice, trauma and recovery, and vulnerability/ strong emotion. She sees her music as a means to spread awareness and create community. Feel free to reach out at any point for access to lyrics and chord sheets for her original music. Her academic background also makes her available for businesses or individuals interested in commissioning an original composition. Please click here to inquire about composition commissions.
Listen
Recent recordings
Ava Grace Merchant Senior Recital (2026) - “Penelope”
Ava Grace Merchant Senior Recital (2026) - “Jezebel”
These original works highlight Ava’s dedication toward writing about women’s issues. The live performance of “Jezebel” features her on voice and piano, whereas the recording of “Penelope” is a sneak peek toward her upcoming album, Rove!
Indie/folk
Ava Grace Trio - Live in Knights Ferry (2022)
Credits: Voice, Composition.
About: This album, featuring Lucy Broom (voice, guitar, composition) and William Melendez (saxophone) captures the live energy of the Ava Grace Trio.
Blues/Jazz
Gravel & Grace - Bringing the Blues (2020)
Credits: Voice, Composition, piano.
About: This album was Ava Grace’s first professional studio work, with her former seven-piece blues band, Gravel & Grace. It received international acclaim from critics, earning 300,000 streams across platforms. Ava was sixteen years old during the recording process. This album was recorded at WolfSound Studios in Fresno, CA, and produced by Mr. John Clifton.
classical
Ava Grace Merchant Senior Recital (2026) - “Ich Stand in Dunklen Träumen” by Clara Schumann
Colorado College “Opera Scenes” (2026) - “Laurie’s Song” from The Tender Land (1:41:30) and “Ain’t It Awful The Heat” from Street Scene (07:30)
See ava live!
These are the public performances scheduled for Ava Grace in August and September of 2026. Assume that all venues are open to all ages, with no cover charge, unless stated otherwise.
july 30th . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cheyenne mountain zoo
This is a ticketed event to support animal care and conservation. The event is 21+, featuring food, drink, and live music throughout the zoo. Tickets can be found at https://www.cmzoo.org/events-programs/special-events/tails-tunes-tastes/
august 1st. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .evergreen restaurant
5:30-9pm. 830 N Tejon St suit 110, Colorado Springs, CO
August 7th. . . . . . . . . . . . Garden of the gods trading post
5-7pm. 324 Beckers Ln Side, Manitou Springs, CO
August 8th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bishop castle medieval faire
1:30-2:30 pm. 12705 CO-165, Rye, CO. Note: this is a charitable event. Entry is free, but donations are encouraged. Proceeds go toward the BCFNINHS - aiding families of infants in need of urgent heart operations.
August 16th. . . . . .Women’s musical showcase at vultures
This is a ticketed event for ages 21+. Ava Grace will be hosting on the vultures stage, to highlight the contributions and talents of local women in the music community! Doors: 8pm. Show: 8:30-11pm. Ticket link: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/womens-musical-showcase-at-vultures-tickets-1994778588456
august 22nd . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .evergreen restaurant
5:30-9pm. 830 N Tejon St suit 110, Colorado Springs, CO
August 28th. . . . . . . . . . . Garden of the gods trading post
5-7pm. 324 Beckers Ln Side, Manitou Springs, CO
September 2nd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . alfred’s on beale
With five piece blues band! 8-11pm. 197 Beale St, Memphis, TN
September 3rd. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . rum boogie café
With five piece blues band! 7-10pm. 182 Beale St, Memphis, TN
September 4th. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . club ebony
With five piece blues band! 7-10pm. 404 Hanna Ave, Indianola, MS
This is a ticketed event for all ages at the historic Club Ebony. A safe space on the Chitlin Circuit for Black musicians and patrons during the Jim Crow era, the club is now owned and operated by the B.B. King Museum, which is just up the street! Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in advance at www.bbkingmuseum.org/events or by calling (662)887-9539.
September 5th. . . . . . . munson and brothers trading post
With five piece blues band! 6-9pm. 01 2nd Ave N, Columbus, MS
September 6th. . . . . . . . . . . . . Benefit concert in gattman
With five piece blues band, solo artists and more! 2-5pm. “The Little Red School House,” Gattman, MS
This event is free to attend, with complimentary food provided for all listeners. Donations are strongly encouraged, as all proceeds will go toward the FWB Children’s Home of Alabama, located in nearby Eldridge. Come by for a full afternoon of music and community, and bring your friends! The Little Red Schoolhouse is a historical site located behind the village’s now-vacant Methodist Church, at 40053 Vernon Rd in Gattman. Signage will be posted. Please direct any questions about this event to the Ava Grace Music team directly, via this contact form.
Ava Grace will be taking a 2-3 week hiatus from public performances after the tour, as she travels to Hyde Street Studios in California to record Rove! Expect updates via social media, and on this very website. Expected release: late November.
Contact ava grace
Please complete the form below.
This is a space to inquire about hiring Ava Grace for live performances or commissions. Current offerings include:
Weddings and Events (Single Song or Full Set, Equipment Included)
Restaurants/businesses (Up to Three Hour Set, Equipment Included)
Festivals and Fairs (Up to Three Hour Set, Equipment Included)
Singing Telegrams (Physical Telegram included, flowers optional).
Digital Singing Telegrams
Original Song Commissions
If you are inquiring about lessons, please click here to be redirected.
reviews
“We've had people calling in to see if Ava will be returning to our event before they buy tickets. We love her over here!”
-Cheyenne Mountain Zoo
“Ava Grace learned our song beautifully, and at an incredible price. She was a great fit for our wedding, making sure everything ran perfectly.”
- Bride
“She totally nailed the song. I absolutely loved the video she provided so I could see the huge grin on my friend’s face. Best birthday gift ever? It’s definitely up there. Fun, professional, easy to work with, and a very talented performer. I would 100% hire her again!”
- Singing Telegram Customer
Press
Press Appearances, Interviews, & Performances Include:
Oakdale Leader News - 2019
https://www.oakdaleleader.com/news/sixteen-and-soulful-merchants-summer-show-calendar-quickly-filling-up/
Blues Matters Magazine - 2020
The Rocking Magpie - 2020
Oakdale Leader - 2020
https://www.oakdaleleader.com/news/listening-party-launches-self-titled-gravel-grace-album/
Modesto Bee - 2021
Good Day Sacramento - 2021
https://youtu.be/wd6YpOMnT2g?si=kqLNjYIFocamLi_y
Jefferson Blues Mag - 2021
Soundcheck 209 - 2021
209 Magazine - 2021
https://www.209magazine.com/departments/arts-culture/spinning-local/
Modesto Music Magazine - 2022
Fox 21 News Colorado - 2024
https://www.fox21news.com/living-local/friday-feelz-ava-grace/
Merch
Return to the site soon to see our merch listings! Here, you’ll be able to buy physical copies of the Ava Grace Trio and Gravel & Grace CD’s, as well as hats, T shirts, and posters.