DOORS 6PM | SHOW 7-8PM
DOORS 8:30PM | SHOW 8:45-9:45PM

Kenji Lee is a Japanese-American multi-instrumentalist, composer-improviser, arts advocate, and educator merging the intersections of art, community, and equity. Born in Tokyo, Japan, and raised in the seaside town of Laguna Beach, California, Lee began studying music at an early age and spent most of his childhood immersed in music. He spent nearly a decade learning from the late-great bassist and educator Roger Shew. Lee relocated to the Midwest to attend the University of Michigan, where he holds two degrees.

Lee has crafted a powerful voice “beyond his years, and beyond his peers” [OC Register]. As a saxophonist and double-bassist, Lee has performed with many of the leading forces in so-called Jazz and Creative music including Wayne Horvitz, Dr. Prof. Leonard King, Marion Hayden, Mr. B (Mark Braun), The Planet D Nonet, Benje Daneman, The Kanola Band, RJ Spangler, Jeff Pedraz, Kayvon Gordon, Lex Korten, and Andy Milne. In late 2022, Lee released his debut full-length album, “Kyudo”, featuring the Fortune Teller Trio (Lee on saxophones, Andy Peck on double bass and Jonathan Barahal Taylor on percussion) with special guest, vocalist Estar Cohen to critical acclaim. The ensemble was selected as a featured artist at the 2023 Detroit International Jazz Festival.

THE BAND:

Kenji Lee, Double Bass/Compositions

Alexander Lahti-Thiam, Alto Saxophone

Zoë Cutler, Trombone

Aya Sekine, Piano

Jesse Kramer, Drums