Liza Lee

Q. At what age did you realize you wanted to become a music artist and why?

Liza: I have wanted to be a singer since I can remember. Just like most singers I think. I have always been a writer too but for me these two things did not come together until recently. And why? I think that if you are an artist you just can’t imagine doing anything else with your life. Sometimes, I wonder if this is healthy. I’m not sure.

Q. Most music artists have that special someone or thing that influenced their decision to do music. Did anyone or something in your life play a major role in influencing you to go into the music business?

Liza: My mother has always been very supportive of my career choice. She is the one who took me to auditions etc. But my Dad is the one who was obsessed with music. The house was always filled with the sounds of the Beatles, Dylan, Neil Young, Roxy Music and the list goes on and on. He used music as a means of communicating his mood with the rest of us in the house. I figured this out very early. I would step into the house after school and listen to what was playing before I would or would not try to talk to my father. It was a strange way to have to function but I think that this led me to understand the power of lyrics and music very early on.

Q. In terms of the music, which major artist(s) influenced your style and why?

Liza: I think that anyone who influences me musically is major so I will give you some names that you know and some that you may not recognize but may want to consider checking out. David Bowie has had a really huge influence on me. He was the first artist that I remember being in love with. I did a photo shoot recently where my stylist put me in a vintage Bowie shirt to pay homage to my love of his music. I was hopping up and down like a kid! Ok, so let’s focus here! Other artists Tori Amos, Kate Bush, Bryan Ferry, Fiona Apple, Peggy Lee, The Beatles, Joni Mitchell, I am on a Sia kick right now (I can’t turn her off), Ani Difranco, my friend Rachelle Garniez is a big influence, Bjork, Greta Gertler, April Smith, Oh, I just went to see Nadia Ackerman at the Living Room here in NYC she is great, Andrew Bird. I’ll stop now. I could keep on rambling so... It also just depends on the day. You know?

Q. With so many independent artists trying to make it, what makes you stand out from the competition?

Liza: Yuck! Is this a competition? I think that this is the main problem with the music “business” but I believe that this is changing due to the Internet and downloads. I would like to think that there is room for everyone out here. We all have different points of view. Some may love yours. Some may hate yours. Some simply may not care. You may stand out to one and disappear to another.

Q. Music industry professionals are quick to say that being an artist means to gracefully fit a marketable niche in the industry. If you were offered an opportunity that asked you to be something you are not, would you do it to get your foot in the door?

Liza: I have been offered such deals and have said “No thanks”. I am glad that I have been true to my own musical evolution and journey. But I’m not sure if my wallet is!

Q. Making music is one thing, selling it is another. What types of strategies do you use in promoting your artistic work and getting it heard by the proper professionals?

Liza: This is very true. The Internet has been an invaluable resource for me. I found my agent that way. I’ve booked tours and landed gigs. I would say know who may want to hear what you are doing and send it their way. For example I am not going to send my music to “Death Metal” online. I would not waste my time or theirs. And follow up with those that you do send your stuff to.

Q. In regards to wheeling and dealing, how important do you feel business knowledge is to making it in an industry filled with much heartache?

Liza: Unfortunately it is very important. Right now I am dealing with hiring a music lawyer. If people see any glimmer of hope with what it is you are trying to do suddenly money talks and “Hey sign this” become major topics.


Q. Let's fast forward to 5 years from now. What advice would you offer to struggling independent artists?

Liza: Oh boy. I have no idea. Is that lame? I guess that I would say if you believe in your work others may or may not want to hop on board. The important thing is that you must love what it is that you are doing.

Q. Most successful artists are involved in charitable organizations that stand for a cause that hits close to home. In that regard, once you reach success, what charitable cause(s) would you like to be involved in and why?

Liza: You don’t need to wait to be successful to make an impact on the world. I really love Big Brothers and Big Sisters of America. I like performing at schools and talking to kids about the performing arts. I am also pretty outspoken about my political views and my overall concern for the world that we live in. Don’t wait! We need all of the help we can get right now!

Well, we thank you for taking the time to interview with us and certainly wish you the best in your music career endeavors. There you have it ladies and gentlemen, an inside look into the mind of an independent artist struggling to bring their hard work to fruition in an industry where perseverance and thick skin means survival. No one said it would be easy.

Liza: (Laughing) No they didn’t. Maybe I’ll quit. Just kidding! - Artistopia - Published on 4/25/2008

Liza Lee is a sweet and sassy lady, from the underground- jazz scene in America. Her album ‘Scarlet Mark’, is extremely mature for an artist at her age (without sounding patronizing), and I had a pleasant time communicating with her via email.

Matthew: Where do you get your influences from and whom do you admire in life?
Liza Lee: Seeing an amazing performer, hearing a new song, a good book, movies, going for a walks, swimming in the ocean, a stranger smiling at me, overhearing conversations about peoples lives on the subway… I get my influences from all over the place. I am a pretty random person. I admire my mom, my brother's strength, Joni Mitchell, my bass players Pat's love of life, Maya Angelou, my mentor pianist Bruce Barth, my friend Jen's love of people, my friend Amelia who is always trying to change the world. I admire a ton of people!

Matthew: Are there any regrets?
Liza Lee: I believe that making mistakes is part of learning and growing as an artist. Trust me I have made a ton of mistakes in my life and in my career. And I also write allot when I am going through the life's trials and tribulations so at least I am getting some good material right? :)

Matthew: Do you feel that you have complete creative control?
Liza Lee: I am not sure if there is such a thing as complete control in any situation. I will say that at this point I do have a great deal of say as to which direction I am moving in my career. I own my label Jazz Doll records so that helps. I don't have a major label telling me what I can and cannot do. But, the further along I seem to get in my career the more that I do have people giving me their opinions as to what they believe I should be doing. Agents, family, fans, strangers, you name it. That has been a strange feeling! I love to learn so I am definitely open to constructive criticism.

Matthew: Would you ever sign a major record label e.g. Sony BMG/EMI?
Liza Lee: It would depend on the kind of deal that they were offering me. If a major label said "Hey Liza we will give you a big recording and marketing budget and the only thing that you have to do is be you." I would say yes of course.

Matthew: Which music do you listen to, who and why?
Liza Lee: I love jazz, pop, rock, folk, and some classical music. I listen to Peggy Lee, Luciana Souza, Karrin Allyson, Sarah Vaughan, Joni Mitchell, Bjork, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, Tori Amos, Ani Difranco, The Beatles, Kate Bush and Bryan Ferry. Right now I love Eminem's song Mosh. I also just discovered harpist and singer Joanna Newsom. Why? It just depends what mood I am in. I am a fan of many artists just like any other music lover!

Matthew: Where did you grow up and what was it like?
Liza Lee: I grew up in Reading, Pa in the city. I know that most people hear Pennsylvania they tend to think of a suburban or even country kind of atmosphere. But, I grew up in the inner city. It was actually a pretty rough neighborhood. As I was growing up I did not recognize that. I had no basis for comparison. Now as an adult I realize that it was not the greatest area. Don't get me wrong your home is your home. So I will always love Reading but I am not sure if I would choose to raise a family there.

Matthew: Who were your influences growing up as a kid?
Liza Lee: My mom was my main influence through my teenage years because she raised my brother and myself alone for many years. But, before my dad left our house he was my main influence. He is a very artistic individual. We listened to tons of music together. I remember dancing around the living room as a little kid with him. I remember him lifting me up into the air as the Beatles sang "Lucy in the sky with diamonds..." He also let me stay up late one night when I was four years old so that I could watch West Side Story. I was in love! He and my mom took me to the record store (I am showing my age now) the next day and they bought me the movie soundtrack. That is when I remember starting to sing. I ran around our house pretending that I was Maria.

Matthew: Does your family still play a part in your career and drive?
Liza Lee: My family is very supportive of my career. My mother, my brother, and my Aunt Pat have always been there for me! I would not be doing this if it were not for them.

Matthew: What have been the high and low points of your life/career?
Liza Lee: Wow, what a question! The high point in my career (so far) is definitely right now. I am working on a new CD of original music with some amazing musicians. I am getting to the point where I feel very at home on stage. I love performing live I never know where my band and the audience and I will get to go and that is an amazing feeling. What have been the low points of my career? I don't want to sound like a Pollyanna but so far I have been incredibly fortunate.
Ok, as for highs and low's in life. I have been through a lot for someone my age. I think that you can hear that when I sing lyrics that I can relate to. At least I hope that you can. Jazz critic Scott Yanow referred to my CD “Scarlet Mark” as a haunting disc. I believe that is because I try to live it before I am willing to sing it.

Matthew: Which CD did you recently purchase and why?
Liza Lee: I downloaded the Joanna Newsome song “Sprout and Bean” because a producer that I am working with played it for me and I loved it. The last full CD that I got on iTunes was Joni Mitchell's “Blue”. While I am writing and recording my new CD Joni has been a huge inspiration for me as she has been for so many artists. Her lyrics are really poems. This is the same way that I also tend to write.

Matthew: Will you post a message on Just Soul's forum?
Liza Lee: Sure if I have something to add or say!

Matthew: When you come to London where would you like to perform?
Liza Lee: Pizza Express!

Matthew: If Liza could change anything about the world what would it be?
Liza Lee: I would like to remove President George W. Bush from office here in the United States. I would like to stop people from killing one another. I would like us to think about the consequences of our behavior now and how we might be affecting future generations. I want us to move the human race forward from a place of love.

Matthew: Thank you for your time. Looking forward to seeing you in concert soon.
Liza Lee: Thank you too! And thank you for Just Soul it is an amazing site! - Just Soul

The CD opens with Liza Lee slowly singing the opening line of “Strawberry Fields Forever.”

Her wistful delivery creates a sense of mystery because it’s not evident where she will take you with the song. She is soon joined by the piano and a hint of drums. Lee is turning the familiar Beatles’ song into a jazz tune.

Other artists have reinvented Beatles’ songs into jazz pieces with mixed results. What makes Lee’s turn work is that she has stripped the song to its bare bones, allowing her to experiment with the pacing and a small combo to play with the melody. They create a song that’s right for a late-night club. It would fit right in next to songs by Cole Porter or Hoagy Carmichael. That’s just what Lee does on “Scarlet Mark.”

The New York City-based jazz vocalist has pulled together an interesting collection of 11 numbers and made them fit into a solid, engaging package. In addition to the Beatles’ song, she tackles a tune from another iconic figure with her performance of Bob Dylan’s “Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right.” Again, she slows the tempo and pushes it into jazz territory aided by MaxJazz recording artist Bruce Barth on piano. Barth is also a co-producer of the CD along with Lee and bassist Pat O’Leary.

Lee was born and raised in Reading, Pa. Her grandfather was a jazz drummer and her grandmother, Terry Norman, was a jazz vocalist. Lee’s exposure to many genres of music shows through on the CD, which is released on her independent label, Jazz Doll records.

The singer, who has a direct and intimate style, likes to take songs not typical of a standard jazz set and give them a new retelling in a jazz format. She demonstrates her interpretive skills on songs by alt-rock singer-songwriters Ani DiFranco, “Heartbreak Even” and “Loom,” and Tori Amos’ “Cornflake Girl.”

The CD also includes Lee’s original “Scarlet Mark,” which she wrote with O’Leary.

She mixes it up even further by showing that she can tackle more traditional material on Carmichael’s “Baltimore Oriole” and a couple of Porter tunes, “Love For Sale” and “Down In The Depths.”

In one interview, Lee described herself as a straight-ahead jazz singer with a “kind of pop tone sometimes.” That’s a pretty good description because she melds the two genres. - Jazz Review - Donna Kimura

"With an amazing group of musicians backing her up, and a voice for the ages, Liza Lee is once again on track to make an impact in the jazz community. She has once again proven herself to be an amazing talent capable of anything."

"Liza's version of "A Thousand Kisses Deep," is so well done that Leonard Cohen would probably give her a hug for it's originality."

- Paul POP - First Coast News


“Liza Lee and Jennifer Hudson, two very talented — and courageous — young superstars share the spotlight on this post”

“Anyway you look at it, it’s great to have her music — and inimitable voice back again!”

- The Rock Relic – Music Bender


“Liza has that indefinable quality you hear on too few occasions in a lifetime of music listening.”

- Dave Allen - Burning Mountain Studio, Australia


“"Love is All There is" and the classic "Good Morning Heartache" are perfect examples on how Liza reaches down deep for the emotions that provides the listeners an extraordinary experience.”

- Wilbert Sosta – Jazz Review & Jazz and Bossa


"Her original Sorry Child is heavy - Liza Lee is channeling Billie Holiday!!!"

- Mike McHugh - New Century Booking


"The CD opens with Liza Lee slowly singing the opening line of "Strawberry Fields Forever." Her wistful delivery creates a sense of mystery because it's not evident where she will take you with the song. She is soon joined by the piano and a hint of drums. Lee is turning the familiar Beatles' song into a jazz tune. Other artists have reinvented Beatles' songs into jazz pieces with mixed results. What makes Lee's turn work is that she has stripped the song to its bare bones, allowing her to experiment with the pacing and a small combo to play with the melody. They create a song that's right for a late-night club."

- Donna Kimura - Jazz Review


"From Ani DiFranco to Cole Porter...this girl has got it going on."

- WAER Radio - Syracuse, NY


"Her sincerity in rendering the lyrics to a wide variety of songs makes the tunes sound like they were written for her even though she only actually composed the title cut. Clearly, Liza Lee only sings songs in which the words mean a lot to her, which gives deeper meaning to these renditions than they usually receive. This haunting disc is well worth checking out."

- Scott Yanow - All Music Guide


"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


"Throughout Scarlet Mark Liza Lee isn’t afraid to mix up her influences and put them in a jazz context. In fact, from the first note of Scarlet Mark it’s as diverse a vocal record as you’re likely to hear. Liza opens the album with a stunning lazy Sunday morning version of “Strawberry Fields Forever.” It’s so seductive that it would make Paul McCartney blush. The song is so well done that within the first 30 seconds Liza has you trapped in her spell."

"Liza Lee, Bruce Barth, and the rest of her band have done an excellent job here and Scarlet Mark couldn’t be any better if they tried."

- Paul Zimmerman - First Coast News


"The music doesn't get much more legendary than Bob Dylan's "Don't Think Twice It's All Right", but this time we are treated to the beautiful and gorgeous voice of Liza Lee taking this great song into new territory. Backed by a trio of consummate musicians in classic lounge bar mode, Liza paints Dylan's storied lyrics in a self-effacing and unforgettable style of warmth and passion that easily and ever so comfortably and completely pulls you under her spell. It's easy here to just close your eyes, lay back and leave the driving to Liza and let her caress your heart and soul with this beautiful and legendary musical memory ... go ahead, "Don't Think Twice … It's All Right" ..."

- Legendary Music II (IAC Radio)


"Liza Lee, with an excellent back up band and in a variety of tempi (some of which will stretch your biased notions), takes us through pop & rock standards and one original; the title song being hers (the enigmatic "Scarlet Mark"), in a manner that will intrigue you and - well, she's gonna get you! Miz Liza Lee has that-something. Liza Lee's gonna get you!"

- Bob Dorough - Songwriter, Singer, Producer


"The original title track is very good, and shows promise for Lee as a songwriter. She clearly has the talent and ambition to make her mark in a crowded field."

- Russell Bartholomee - Being There Magazine


"Liza Lee doesn’t do covers she does other peoples music that was made for her voice …And what a voice!! There has been great hype about Alicia however it seems the “Big Apple has more then one singer with blues and soul. Liza Lee has not only a great voice but knows how to set a mood and any of your labels out there that don’t have this woman signed yet are missing the boat ."

- Andrew Allan - Kangar Radio


"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


"Fans of Norah Jones will love this. For me its even more fun than Nora because it is so classic in it's presentation that it feels fresh and upbeat. If you love good old fashion female torch singers then you are gonna love this."

- Alberta Rock


"Can you say dynamo?"

"You get to hear why this young lady is so well revered as an artist by listening to her latest CD, Scarlet Mark."

- IMC Radio


"Although I’m more of a rocker, from time to time I come across a great Jazz Artist that needs to be recognized. Liza Lee is one of those artists; a great vocalist that put her very own style on everything she touches. This CD, “Scarlet Mark” is a prime example of what I mean. Liza has an uncanny way of being able to take rock songs and transform them into something very much Jazz! Every song is very well done and her vocal quality is perfect in every way."

- Bob Donovan - North East In-Tune Magazine


"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)


"Her music selection ranges from traditional jazz (Cole Porter, Hoagy Carmichael) to Rock and Pop (Bob Dylan, Ani DiFranco) and she handles the genres like a seasoned pro."

"Her soothing voice will capture your soul."

"Be on the look out for this up and coming star!"

- Mike James - Smooth Jazz And More


"Uniquely Talented"

- John Marcus - The Jazz Dimension


"Natural, erotic, but also spiritual"

- Bruno Pollacci - Animajazz Italy
- Various Sources

Two very talented — and courageous — young superstars share the spotlight on this post, yardbirds:

First, Jazz artist Liza Lee’s new CD, Anima, is due to be released on January 27, 2009. Now, what makes this album so special is that it’s a personal comeback for her.

Y’see, two years ago, she’d just hit the jazz charts with her first release, Scarlet Mark, when Liza (pronounced like the singer Liza Manelli) suffered a stroke. Now, having made a full comeback, Liza (pronounced the same as the famous Minnelli) is back with the CD that reflects her life-altering experience.

“To me, Anima represents the feminine whisper inside of a patriarchal society,” she explains. “After my stroke I went from doctor to doctor searching for answers. I was having trouble getting back in touch both physically and creatively. Doctors told me that I might never sing or write again. These blanket statements without hope or answers were not acceptable to me.”
“I was confronted with a seeming lack of understanding regarding my plight from the primarily male dominated medical profession. This is when I learned that little research is done on how illness, disease and medications uniquely affect women’s bodies. I believe that we should increase funding for women’s health research and I’m trying to do my part with Anima.”

Because she now knows that women’s health care is not on par with men’s, Liza has chosen 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).
The title of the CD comes from the concept of the Anima and Animus by Carl Jung. Anima is an emotional journey.

Anyway you look at it, it’s great to have her music — and inimitable voice back again!

Another great voice — with a different (and, sadly, more tragic) heartache — will be returning to stage next month! Jennifer Hudson will be singing the National Anthem at this year’s Super Bowl. It’s the first time she’s returned to performing since the terrible murders of her 57-year-old mother, Darnell Hudson Donerson, 29-year-old brother Jason Hudson and 7-year-old nephew Julian King in October. (Her former brother-in-law has since been charged in the killings.)

Hudson, who had released her self-titled debut album shortly before the killings, is also scheduled to sing at the Grammys’ MusiCares event in Los Angeles a few days later. And she’s nominated for four awards at the Feb. 8 Grammy Awards. You can be sure the crowds are gonna give her a tremendous greeting at both shows!

The Super Bowl is the most viewed spectacle on television. Bruce Springsteen is scheduled to sing during halftime of the pro football championship game.

Okay … that’s it for this edition! See ya with more in 24 … - Music Bender

by Paul POP!

Liza Lee is a jazz vocalist from a family of musically gifted individuals. Her grandparents were both internationally recognized jazz musicians and it's from those roots that Liza started to develop her own musical path. Starting out in theater, her talent soon outgrew her local environment and she began touring in productions as well as acting in TV and film. It was during this time that music crept into her psyche and with such firm roots in Jazz it seemed all too obvious that its where she wanted to go.

In 2005, she released her debut album Scarlet Mark to critical acclaim. With success on horizon and things starting to take shape Liza suffered a stroke. Undeterred, by 2008 Liza managed to make a full recovery and started to work on her follow up album, Anima. According to Liza the recording of this album was personal and extremely important to her and as a result of her life altering experience, she's decided to donate the proceeds of this record to the Society For Women's Health Research in an effort to improve the health of all women through research, education, and advocacy.

As for Anima itself, Liza once again proves herself to be a fresh voice in the jazz world. Her voice is as crisp as always and you would be hard pressed to find a difference in her abilities pre or post-stroke. She still weaves a rich tapestry with her vocals and they play along with the instrumentation as if they were one. It's truly an amazing thing to hear this gifted performer carry on as if nothing had ever happened.

The songs on Anima were written predominantly by women and include compositions by Joni Mitchell, Leonard Cohen and Sharon Robinson, Peggy Lee and Kate Bush. The album also includes several songs by Liza herself that reflect upon her ordeal as well as songs about psychological and drug abuse. It's an intense album that still manages to be alluring and seductive despite it's subject matter.

Reunited once again with pianist Bruce Barth and several of the musicians that helped record Scarlet Mark, Liza and her backing band further develop the chemistry that was so solid throughout her debut. Once again, the arrangements and accompaniment are so well done that unless you're paying close attention you would never know that several of these songs are actually already part of pop culture. For example, Liza's version of "A Thousand Kisses Deep," is so well done that Leonard Cohen would probably give her a hug for it's originality.

With an amazing group of musicians backing her up, and a voice for the ages, Liza Lee is once again on track to make an impact in the jazz community. She has once again proven herself to be an amazing talent capable of anything. To think that this young woman has been through so much and still has the ability to sing like this is amazing. Her creativity, perserverance, and talent are reflected on each of the songs on Anima and that's what makes this record such a pleasure to listen to. Anima is an album that is not only a labor of love but an album on a mission and for that reason alone you should pick this up. - First Coast News