Jazz Musician of the Day: Amy Lee

Born: April 19, 1973
Jazz saxophonist, composer and arranger Amy Lee has been on the national/ international music scene since 1990. Her newly released solo CD titled USE ME marks her 2nd solo album and is currently being sold exclusively at her website Amy LeeSax.com. The accomplished musicians backing Amy on USE ME have recorded with hundreds of artists including Earth, Wind & Fire, Steely Dan, Marvin Gaye, Luther Vandross, David Sanborn, Kenny G, the Temptations, Quincy Jones, George Benson, David Bowie and Stevie Wonder.

USE ME is filled with feel-good songs and soulful soloing that is unique to tthe “Smooth Jazz” monotony of today. That is because her years playing with Charles Neville of the Neville Brothers and Jimmy Buffett have brought to her palette a distinctive blend of jazz, funk and storytelling which is undeniably weaved into her music and playing.

Producer/engineer Steve Schwartzberg also brings his pop/R&B skills to the project having worked with such artists as Toni Braxton, TLC, and Boyz II Men. The resulting instrumental jazz-pop-soul mix is incredibly fresh and fun. The album contains 7 original compositions and 3 covers including Bill Withers' “Use Me” as well as Stevie Wonder's “Too Shy To Say.” It is sure to become a favorite in your CD collection. USE ME ships immediately.

Amy Lee has worked extensively in the studio as a performer, arranger and composer for major albums, on independent albums, and radio and TV commercials. As a songwriter, she has collaborated with Jimmy Buffett on his MCA releases “Bob Roberts Society Band” on Margaritaville Records/MCA (1996); “Fruitcakes”on Margaritaville Records/MCA (1994); and “Delaney Talks To Statues” on Margaritaville Records/MCA (1994) along with songwriter Mac McAnally.

The first major label release by Amy Lee was as a writer/performer on MCA Records in 1993. Her reggae instrumental “Sugartown Shakedown” was released in a compilation CD titled MARGARITAVILLE CAFE, LATE NIGHT MENU on Margaritaville Records/MCA (1993) As an in demand studio musician, Amy has recorded on every Jimmy Buffett album released since 1994 totaling ten to date.

Other major album credits include gospel recording artist Luther Barnes & the Sunset Jubilees: A LIVE CELEBRATION (A.I.R. Records 1994) and NOTHING CAN BE BETTER (A.I.R. Records 1993); the rap group, Yall So Stupid, VAN FULL OF PAKISTANS (Rowdy Records/Arista 1993); and the Grammy-nominated Richard Smallwood Singers, PORTRAIT (Word, Inc./A&M Records 1990).

Amy Lee has had several television appearances as a Coral Reefer Band member. She also appears in a documentary by Island Visual Arts titled “Let The Good Times Roll - A Film About The Roots of American Music” (Polygram 1992). Internationally, JVC Corporation documented her performances with Charles Neville & Diversity for Japanese syndication.

Ms. Lee has performed with many well-known artists besides her long stints with Jimmy Buffett and Charles Neville, including performances with Ben E. King, the Temptations, blues legend Clarence “Gatemouth” Brown, and Atlanta Symphony Orchestra for their summer pops series at Chastain Park. With Jimmy Buffett she has performed alongside Joni Mitchell, James Taylor, Billy Joel, Ringo Starr, Clint Black, Glenn Frey, and had the prestigious honor of performing alongside President Bill Clinton during his 42nd Presidential Inaugural Ball. Amy also played for the 50th birthday party of President Clinton on the White House backyard lawn.
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