JACK LEE

Born in Seoul Korea, Jack absorbed the sounds of rock guitar heroes such as Eric Clapton, Jimi Hendrix, and Jeff Beck before discovering the jazzier sounds of Pat Metheny, Larry Coryell, and Miles Davis. At 17, he traveled to the United States to pursue his passion and later enrolled as a computer science major at Columbia University. A stint as a disc jockey at the well-known station WKCR-FM exposed him to an extraordinary breadth of jazz music. Being a student in New York allowed him to experience first hand the living legends of jazz in the city's renowned clubs, and also enabled him to study first-hand with such guitar luminaries as Larry Coryell, Emily Remler, Bill Connors, and John Scofield.



With roots planted firmly in his Asian heritage, technique and sensitivity honed by his schooling and experience in New York, and with a singular voice propelled by an intense desire for a more complete artistic expression, Jack combines formidable technique with a penchant for gentle, flowing lyricism that makes his music eminently appealing to both musicians and non-musicians alike on his latest release ‘ Asianergy’.

Jack’s music always has the combination of jazz, Brazilian, Rhythm & Blues, pop, funk, and Asian influences which leaves a deep emotionally satisfying impact upon the listener.



The Project Band ‘Asianergy’ is founded along with the multi percussionist Lewis Pragasam (leader of ‘Asiabeat’ band). The concept of this group is Unique blend of all musical possibilities with emphasis on the rhythms of Asia, and to explore the sonic capabilities from the music of the world.



on this Debut recording released on Universal Music, Jack invited Academy award winning Pianist Dave Grusin, and a grammy winning drummer, Harvey Mason to record as well as another good friend , very talented multi instrumentalist, Mr.Norihito Sumitomo, a master of EWI (electric wind instrument) from Japan, and a great acoustic guitarist/composer from Brazil, Toninho Horta, and another great pianist from New York, Mr.Charles Blenzig



Jack Lee & Asian*ergy



As long as I have known Jack Lee (we met in New York City in 1990 and I did liner notes for his 1992 Warner Bros. release Magnolia Blossom), he has always consistently been about two things -- melody and groove. An accomplished player and outstanding improviser who cites John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny and Toninho Horta as his main guitar influences, Jack combines formidable technique with a penchant for gentle, flowing lyricism that makes his music eminently appealing to both musicians and non-musicians alike.

On his latest project with the exciting new world music ensemble Asian*ergy, Jack summons up some of his most heartfelt, emotionally moving playing on record to date. Spurred on by an international cast of sidemen -- Indian drummer/percussionist Lewis Pragasam (currently living in Malaysia), Indian tabla player/ percussionist Bobby Singh, wind driven synthesizer specialist Norihito Sumitomo from Japan and keyboardist Charles Blenzig from the United States -- Lee hits some inspired peaks on both electric and nylon string acoustic guitars. Special guests Harvey Mason on drums and Dave Grusin on piano elevate the proceedings on two songs (“Scenes from the Past” and “Episode of Journey”) while the great Brazilian guitarist Toninho Horta, a longtime friend and colleague of Lee’s, lends his intimate vocals and alluring acoustic guitar work to three tracks (“Asian*ergy,” “Jeju Island” and “All of Those Things”).

Recorded jointly in Malaysia, Thailand, Japan and Korea between 2004 and 2006, Jack Lee & Asian*ergy is the first release in five years by the talented player-producer who currently resides in Seoul and also spends time working on music projects in China and Japan. At the core of this superb recording (his seventh as a leader) is the chemistry between Lee and kindred spirit Pragasam, whose powerfully polyrhythmic approach to hand percussion and the drum kit fuels the momentum of these sessions.



…with Asian*ergy, Jack has found the perfect vehicle to express that newfound inspiration. -- Bill Milkowski



Bill Milkowski is a regular contributor to Jazz Times and Jazziz magazines in the United States. He was named Writer of the Year for 2004 by the Jazz Journalists Association. He is also the author of “JACO: The Extraordinary and Tragic Life of Jaco Pastorius” (Backbeat Books).



Jack Lee & Bob James - Botero - http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/botero/id348445232 iTunes



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