JazzReview.com 

August 2003

Cheryl Hughey, Interviewer

In her debut solo album, J-Walkin’, Jennifer Lee creates a mellow melting pot of newly arranged standards with a few surprises of her own. Almost daring not to impress, Lee takes on a unique style that we haven’t heard since the days of Sarah Vaughan and Billie Holiday. Rather than belting out the songs, Lee approaches them with sensitivity and emotion. The result is a luxurious CD in a classic tradition that is sure to impress even the most finicky jazz enthusiast.
The most profound quality about Lee is her ability to hone the musical depth of her vocals. Using her voice like an instrument in her rendition of "Blue Skies," Lee avoids a strong chord foundation in the song. Instead, she chooses to blend her voice with the musicians to create an intimate orchestra of complimentary vibrations. This swinging version is sure to set your toes to tapping.
Expressiveness is one of Lee’s hallmarks. The title song, "Jaywalkin’," is an empowering story of inner strength. Lee felt an immediate energy when Peter Sprague, co-arranger/guitarist, introduced the song to her. It "really spoke to me," stated Lee. "For me, the message was getting past our own self-imposed limitations. That particular message could probably speak to a lot of women in our culture."
Encouraged by the positive examples in her own life, Lee looked to the San Francisco Bay area veteran, Kitty Margolis, as a mentor. Studying privately with Margolis built up her self-confidence. "She [Margolis] believed in me as a singer . . . encouraged me to do my first demo," said Lee. Margolis taught her "you really gotta press forward and put yourself out there, if you want to do this."
Lee gets a lot of her inspiration from those who have walked before her. One of her favorite singers is Mark Murphy. "When I started listening [to Murphy], it totally changed how I listen to music," stated Lee. Other inspirations include: Sarah Vaughan, Anita O’Day and Diane Reeves. Lee learned a lot by listening to these singers and believes that connecting with the audience is first and foremost. "Playing music and singing brings me the closest to connecting to everything."
That connectivity shows most strongly in "The Inchworm/Inchworm Rap." This special song features a gentle rap in a luxurious exchange of inner-reflection. Oddly enough, the "Inchworm Rap" didn’t develop itself overnight. Singing the song for a number of years, Lee tried arranging it in a variety of ways. However, it never fully blossomed until she started recording the CD. After plugging away for a few days in the studio, the message of the little inchworm became clear. She thought, "Hey, when are you going to get your head out of the details and look at the big picture." Thus, the "Inchworm Rap" was born.
Bringing the album to life is a couple of songs written by Lee. Delving into the human experience, Lee shines in a delicate "Note to My Niece." Tugging at your heartstrings, Lee shares the isolation felt when you love someone out of reach. "Cathy’s Song" was written for a dear friend and features Lee on piano without vocals. This adds a nice touch that shows the wide range of the artist’s capabilities. Lee is definitely not your average entertainer. She sings, plays piano, writes music and is an accomplished arranger.
Current plans are for concerts throughout California and Washington. If her live performances are anything like her CD, seeing Lee in person will be well worth the trip.

Cheryl Hughey

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