(Vocal Jazz) Jennifer Lee - J-Walkin' - 2003, MP3, 320 kbps

Rooted in the straight-ahead jazz tradition, this San Francisco Bay Area-based vocalist has developed a style all her own. With her warm, sultry voice, extraordinary musicality and hip sense of time, Jennifer brings each song uniquely to life. On an up-tempo tune, she really swings. On a ballad, she sings with a depth of emotion that pays homage to the music and the lyric.
Jennifer discovered her love of music as a child, studying piano and guitar. She played piano in her college jazz band and accompanied other singers before realizing her own gift for vocal interpretation. Her extensive experience as an instrumentalist affords Jennifer a thorough understanding of the harmonic intricacies of the music she sings. This knowledge, along with her natural aptitude for musical expression, make for a remarkable talent.
These days Jennifer does a lot of stand-up singing at her concerts and gigs. On occasion, however, she still accompanies herself. And, when she does, it's with simple elegance and sweetness - "nothing fancy, but always perfect," according to bassist John Shifflett. "Lee knows how to drop a jaw with her rhythm ease on guitar," says Jean Bartlett of the Pacifica Tribune.
J-Walkin', Jennifer's debut release as lead vocalist, incorporates many elements of straight-ahead jazz. But Jennifer also takes a step or two outside of that tradition, straying into the realms of Brazilian, classical, funk, and spoken-word.
"I always say that a singer 'sings who she is.' In Jennifer Lee I hear a respect for the tradition reminiscent of the "Cool School" singers like June Christy, Chris Connor and Jo Stafford. But in the best recordings, the essence of the artist's individual spirit is revealed clearly. Having known Jennifer for many years now I can say that on this disc, the above is true in spades. Thoughtful, gentle, classy, sweet with a mischievous streak, intelligent, easy-going, sensitive, classic, sincere, tasteful, humorous, loving-- these qualities are all part of Jennifer and she shares them with us beautifully. Brava!"
-Kitty Margolis

Jennifer Lee, vocals, piano on "Cathy's Song; Peter Sprague, guitar; Bob Magnusson, bass; Tommy Aros, percussion; Trip Sprague, tenor sax; Rich Kuhns, accordion; Jason Lewis, drums