Jazz Articles about Mike Lee

Mike Lee Quartet at the Metuchen Public Library

by David A. Orthmann
May 11, 2022

Mike Lee Quartet Metuchen Public Library Metuchen, NJ April 30, 2022 Tenor saxophonist Mike Lee is well into his middle years, a time when many jazz musicians fulfill the promise of their youthful endeavors. Lee's live appearances as a leader convey a deep-seated belief in the music, an impressive skill set, the desire to keep growing as a musician, as well as a genuine stage presence. These factors have a way of engaging audiences, ...

Mike Lee has a Song for All of Us

by Lorens Chuno
June 23, 2019

Mike Lee's compositions draw from an eclectic mixture of inspirations and yet are still rooted in the Jazz tradition. This can easily be felt on his latest album, Song for All of Us. The album features Mike Lee on tenor saxophone; Lenny White on drums; Ed Howard on bass; George Colligan on piano; Dave Stryker on guitar; Bruce Williams on alto saxophone; Julian Lee on tenor saxophone; and Matt Lee on drums. Join Mike and Lorens as they talk about ...

Take Five With Mike Lee

by Mike Lee
March 1, 2011

Meet Mike Lee:Mike Lee is a tenor saxophonist originally from Cleveland, OH and now living in Northern New Jersey. He's currently leader of the Cecil's Monday Night Big Band at Cecil's Jazz Club in West Orange New Jersey and co-leader of the acclaimed jazz quartet, New Tricks. He has released five albums as leader or co- leader, recorded as a sideman on albums by such jazz luminaries as Joe Lovano and Eliot Zigmund. Active as a jazz educator, ...

Mike Lee / Ted Chubb: New Tricks

by Glenn Astarita
September 8, 2009

New Jersey resident, veteran educator, group leader and session ace Mike Lee pulls some new tricks out of an old bag on this 2009 quartet date with co-leader/trumpeter Ted Chubb. In the liners, Lee mentions that this aggregation found its origins via recurring jam sessions in his basement. They're a young and noble bunch of jazz warriors ready for battle. The proof lies within this hip session, based on crisp arrangements, resonant soloing and a tight-knit line of attack.

Mike Lee: My Backyard

by Glenn Astarita
December 1, 2000

You can add multi-reedman Mike Lee’s name to the lineage of notable jazz musicians who hail from Cleveland, Ohio. Yet these days, the saxophonist spends much of his time in the New York area, where he leads a productive life, performing with Maria Schneider and piloting his own bands along with a seemingly hectic schedule as an educator/clinician. Equally important is that the saxophonist has been gaining a reputation as one of the – baddest – improvisers on the scene ...

Mike Lee: Above The Battleground

by Glenn Astarita
May 1, 1999

Based in New York City, Multi-Reedman Mike Lee has been receiving a good deal of attention these days and deservedly so. Lee’s work with “The Village Vanguard Orchestra”, Maria Schneider, performances with Sax titan Joe Lovano, gigs with Louie Bellson and others find Mike Lee in estimable company.

On his latest CD “Above The Battleground”, Lee enlists Trumpeter Tim Hagans, Bassist Ben Allison, Pianist Matt Lee and Drummer Tim Horner. Here, Lee steps out as a first class composer, fine ...