Ranee Lee
Website
August 2000
Dark Divas
Justin Time
2000
Dark Divas
Reviewed By
Joel Roberts
Jim Santella
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Ranee Lee
Originally raised in New York City, vocalist Ranee Lee has been a resident of Montreal for over 20 years, a span of time in which she has become one of Canada's most beloved entertainers.
A professionally trained dancer, the multitalented Lee toured North America in the 1970s with several bands as a drummer and tenor saxophonist before landing a starring role portraying Billie Holiday in Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill, a performace that earned her the Dora Mavor Moore Award.
With Deep Song, her first album on Justin Time Records in 1989, Lee continued her examination of Holiday's career with the help of several noteworthy musicians, including bassist Milt Hinton and pianist Oliver Jones. Four more albums followed, including Seasons of Love, a lush and sensuous 1997 release recorded at Capitol Studios in Hollywood with bassist John Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton, along with saxophonist David Murray and longtime guitarist Richard Ring.
An extraordinary and captivating performer whether on stage or the bandstand, Ranee Lee hits another high note with Dark Divas and certifies she is among the elite in jazz today.
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