March 2019 – Mike Lee

Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola March 25th! CD Release Show Featuring Lenny White!

March 21, 2019 by Mike Lee

I’ve spent a lot of time at Dizzy’s over the last couple of years. Most often I’ve been on my way home from my steady gig at the Carlyle with Loston Harris when I stop into the jam session which was for a long time was hosted by my son, Julian. I have also performed at Dizzy’s with Oliver Lake, Josh Evans, Loston Harris, and even played one week as Julian’s sideman for the late set when he was the late night featured artist. But on March 25th at 9:30 – one set only! – I will be debuting as a leader at the famous Jazz at Lincoln Center night club, Dizzy’s Club Coca-cola in celebration of my new CD “Song For All Of Us” on the IYOUWE record label.

The gig, like the CD, will feature the iconic drummer, Lenny White (Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Chaka Khan), as well as master musicians George Colligan on piano, and Ed Howard on bass. Julian Lee will be joining me in the front line. Please join us for this wonderful evening by reserving tickets here. The video below shows some short snippets from our New Jersey CD release at Clement’s Place last month.

Clips from Feb 23rd 2019 at Clement’s Place in New Jersey

Facebook event for Dizzy's CD Release Gig — Click for the Facebook event page for the Dizzy’s Gig

Video From Europe

March 21, 2019 by Mike Lee

Some video from France and Italy started circulating recently. Thought I’d share these with you.

Here’s a version of Charlie Parker’s “Cheryl” from Club Bebop in Rome. With Gianluca Renzi and Lorenzo Tucci

“Simone” From Le Taquin in Toulouse, France With Gianluca Renzi and Lukmil Perez

This is a video I did about the great new mouthpiece from Vandoren. We filmed this at Vandoren studios in Paris in February.

How Did “Licks” Become a Four Letter Word?

March 21, 2019March 21, 2019 by Mike Lee

The advent of social media has allowed me to witness the re-emergence of the phenomena of “lick” haters. “Licks” are short worked out melodies that musicians use in their improvised solos. The complaint against licks, I think, boils down to musicians sounding uninspired and clinical because their improvisations sound like exercises and don’t illicit a sense of freedom and spontaneity that true art requires. The conventional wisdom is that learning licks leads to this kind of performance. But I couldn’t disagree more.

Great news! This article was just published at bestsaxophonewebsiteever. Read the whole article below:

How Did “Licks” Become a Four Letter Word?

Song For All Of Us is Released!

March 25, 2019March 18, 2019 by Mike Lee

I’m beyond thrilled to announce the release of my first “solo” recording in many years. This CD presents many facets of my musical life from trio performances with master musicians Ed Howard and Lenny White, to more complex original material featuring Bruce Williams, Dave Stryker, and George Colligan. There are even two selections which feature my sons Julian and Matthew.

Order my new album “Song For All Of Us” NOW on iTunes and Amazon!

Order on Amazon: https://goo.gl/5ZZzpD
Order on iTunes: https://goo.gl/mJiDbP

"Song For All Of Us" Trailer
Trailer video to my new album "Song For All Of Us" (2019 Iyouwe Music).iTunes: https://goo.gl/mJiDbPAmazon: https://goo.gl/5ZZzpDSpotify: https://goo.gl/Aq9omBTidal: https://goo.gl/ptDhegPandora: https://goo.gl/Pg9zYiThe album features:Mike Lee Page – tenor saxophone Ed Howard – bassLenny White – drums George Colligan – pianoDave Stryker – guitar Bruce Williams Saxophonist – alto saxophoneJulian Lee – tenor saxophone Matt Lee – drums
Posted by Mike Lee Page on Tuesday, March 12, 2019

Trailer for “Song For All of Us”

Practicing!

March 16, 2019March 11, 2019 by Mike Lee

Let’s just get this out there: I love practicing. Sometimes to a fault. By now I think that most people have caught on that practicing isn’t just something for young musicians, but a it is part of our journey throughout life.

I noticed last week that I had a Saturday night off. Checking my date book, it was the first time since September that I had a Saturday off. I’ve been busy playing improvisational music with wonderful musicians for several months. That’s great and I wouldn’t ever complain about that situation. But having a few weeks off here is so welcomed because I find myself back to my favorite way to practice, which is just for my long term improvement and not shedding – or worse – “cramming” for an upcoming gig. I’ve played and studied so much music in the past couple of months and I’m drawing from that to infuse my improvisations with new discoveries and melodies that have come into my awareness. The end of March brings in another stretch of several months of gigs and I’m working hard now to raise my overall level and add to my musical arsenal so my long time bandmates and fans have new material to hear.

Touring in Europe

March 13, 2019March 11, 2019 by Mike Lee

Since my relatively slow schedule this week has allowed me a half a second to take a breath, I thought I’d take a moment to reflect on two inspiring tours in Europe to start the year. Thanks to my dear friend the amazing bassist, Gianluca Renzi, we were able to spend most of January and the first half of February in Italy, France, Switzerland and even a pass through London. It’s amazing how strong the love for this American art form is throughout the world and it was a real treat share this music in an intimate trio format (tenor saxophone, bass, and drums) in wonderful venues with exceptional fans.