Biography
Recording artist, performer and composer Liza Lee is a breakout talent rapidly making her mark on today’s jazz scene. Her personal and haunting musical interpretations exhibit an emotional vulnerability laced with a confident understanding of life’s realities.
Liza’s (pronounced the same way as the famous Minnelli) highly praised first CD, Scarlet Mark, was released on the Jazz Doll label. Her latest project, Anima, was released on January 27, 2009. Anima has since been re-released on The “Art of Life” label. Lee is the first female vocalist to be signed to “Art of Life Records”. As on her previous album, the material she has chosen for Anima is fresh, unpredictable and innovative. It also includes some of her highly praised yet controversial original compositions.
Anima is an extremely personal CD. In 2006, shortly after the release of Scarlet Mark, Liza suffered a stroke. Having made a full comeback, Liza Lee has decided to donate the proceeds from Anima to The Society For Women's Health Research (SWHR), a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the health of all women through research, education and advocacy (www.womenshealthresearch.org). This life altering experience inspired the title of the CD, Anima, which comes from the concept of the Anima and Animus by Carl Jung.
“Anima represents the feminine whisper inside of a patriarchal society,” Liza explains. “This is especially significant to me because this CD will benefit SWHR.”
“The doctors did not know if I would ever be able to sing or perform again,” explains Liza. “Now that I am better, I feel that it is my job to help increase awareness about the dire need for funds to research how illness, disease and medications uniquely affect women’s bodies.”
Most of the songs on Anima were composed or co-composed by women including Joni Mitchell’s “Blue,” “A Thousand Kisses Deep” by Leonard Cohen and Sharon Robinson, and Kate Bush’s “Wow.” Liza Lee is particularly haunting on “Silver Dagger” and “Revolving Mattress,” a song about confounding expectations and “Sorry Child” an original about the cyclical nature of drug and psychological abuse. She also presents a unique and memorable interpretation of the Peggy Lee hit “Is That All There Is.” Her supporting cast includes such notables as pianists Bruce Barth, Michael Kanan, David Cook and Art Hirahara, bassist Pat O’Leary, drummers Michael Petrosino and Eric Halvorson, the reeds of Scott Robinson, Jim Clouse and Adam Kolker, and guitarist Kelsey Warren. Singer Shayna Steele duets with Liza on ”Calling You.”
When the time to record her first album arrived, the result was Scarlet Mark. As with all of Liza Lee’s music, the songs dealt with aspects of her life. She drew from such diverse writers as the Beatles, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Tori Amos, Ani DiFranco, Cole Porter and Hoagy Carmichael, in addition to her own title cut.
Liza has just released her first all-original alternative-pop music project, Houses of Detention EP + Extra Goodies, she recorded this project with producer, guitarist and composer Joe Davi, whose credits include work with Mya (Interscope), Akon (Universal), Foxy Brown (Universal), Noreaga (Penalty), Big Punisher (Loud), Kelis (Jive Records), Remy Ma (Universal) as well as Neyo and Jennifer Hudson. For the future, Liza has been busy recording an original jazz-pop project with Joe entitled, The Lover-Less Chronicles as well as writing songs and lyrics for other artists.
Liza Lee is an important voice of the 21st Century. Her continual evolution and development, which are well displayed on Anima, are fascinating to watch and her thought-provoking music is always memorable. She has proven herself a consistently intriguing vocalist and a significant addition to the current music scene.
"Natural, erotic, but also spiritual"
- Bruno Pollacci - Animajazz Italy
"Her soothing voice will capture your soul."
"Be on the look out for this up and coming star!"
- Mike James - Smooth Jazz And More
"Her original Sorry Child is heavy - Liza Lee is channeling Billie Holiday!!!"
- Mike McHugh - New Century Booking
"Liza has something unique going on. Musically her palette runs to the all the colours of the rainbow & her lyrics could - & should - be published in a volume of verse just as they are."
- Ariel - UK Artist
"New York based Liza Lee is smart, hip and literate. Although possibly too Quirky a writer and vocalist for anyone expecting a more traditional singer/songwriter approach."
- Adam's Apple - Sellaband News
"Liza Lee's a gifted jazz singer and her choice of songs is pretty bold even in this day and age."
- Anna Maria Stjarnell - Collected Sounds (Women In Music)
Musicians
Bruce Barth: Piano (1/4)
David Cook: Piano (2/8/9/11/12/14) / Keyboard (3/9)
Art Hirahara: Piano (5/10)
Michael Kanan: Piano (7/13)
Pat OʼLeary: Bass (1/2/3/5/6/7/8/9/10/11/12/14)
Eric Halvorson: Drums (1/10)
Michael Petrosino: Drums (2/3/5/8/9/10/11/12/14)
Adam Kolker: Alto Flute (4) / Soprano Saxophone (1)
Jim Clouse: Drums (7) / Tenor Saxophone (7)
Scott Robinson: Bass Clarinet (3/14) / Tenor Saxophone (8)
Kelsey Warren of the band Pillow Theory: Guitar (14)
Rubin Kodheli: Cello (6)
Matthew Szemela: Violin (6)
Saul Rubin: Guitar (6)
Special Guest Vocalist
Shayna Steele:(8)
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