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Lee Barbour

I am a frequency juggler.

About Me

Lee grew up in Summerville, SC and picked up his dad’s guitar in the ninth grade. He learned to play by ear, wearing out several tapes and the rewind button on his boombox. By college, he finally owned a cd player and dove into the world of jazz guitar. After reading Charlie Parker’s autobiography and learning that the saxophonist practiced eight hours a day for two years, he figured he could get the same results with four hours a day for four years. Mildly successful with this formula, he graduated with a degree in jazz guitar performance from the University of South Carolina. He then moved back to Charleston where, within a year of graduating, he became the youngest adjunct professor of jazz guitar at the College of Charleston. During his six years there, he played in several groups, including a gypsy swing band, several jazz ensembles and a touring rock band. He has played the Austin City Limits Festival, recorded with jazz guitar legend, Joe Beck, and toured with indie rockers, Band of Horses. He has been featured in Jazz Times, Spin magazine and The New York Times. He currently resides in Charleston after a year spent teaching, playing and freezing his southern bones in New York City. Lee has released four albums; his latest, 'nonfiction', is his most ambitious project to date. It features Jeff Sipe (The Black Crowes, Leftover Salmon) John Ellis (Charlie Hunter, Norah Jones) and many other fantastic musicians who helped him bring this music to life. When not playing, teaching or writing music, Lee plays competitive-level table tennis, the shakuhachi flute, and occasionally sits in silence. 

My Jazz Story

I love jazz because...it is spontaneous in the most disciplined hands. I was first exposed to jazz...by my mom, unintentionally. I borrowed her 'When Harry met Sally' soundtrack and met Harry Connick Jr. I met [musician name]...and recorded with Miles Davis' first guitar player, Joe Beck. The best show I ever attended was... The first jazz record I bought was...Ella Fitzgerald and Ornette Coleman on the same day. I was very confused. My advice to new listeners...Keep your ears wide open. Or whatever else you have in mind.