Vera Lee
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Vera Lee

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | SELF

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | SELF
Band Jazz Blues

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This band has not uploaded any videos
This band has not uploaded any videos

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"Smithsonian Folklife Festival"

Dear Vera, On behalf of the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage, I would like to wholeheartedly extend our thanks for your participation in the 2011 Festival. Your generous contribution of time and talent made this Festival an extraordinary accomplishment. The Rhythm and Blues: Tell It Like It Is program was enriched by your contributions and we are all honored that you shose to share your knowledge and artistry with us. The approximately one million visitors who attended the Festival now have a clearer understanding of your skills, your culture, and your experiences. Stephen Kidd, Festival Director. - Smithsonian Institute


Discography

CD Title: 83 and Still Playing With the Boys
Release Date: 2003
Tracks 12
Label: S-D-E-G

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Bio

Vera Lee is a multi-talented very versatile singer, pianist drummer and song writer.She was born Vera Lee Holley and as a child she had star singing and acting roles in school plays and won many first prizes at the Capital theater. She graduated high school in Portsmouth, VA and furthered her education at Norfolk State College, Old Dominion University and the University of California. She studied piano at an early age and later as an adult studied drums under the direction of Gene Brown and the world renowned Philly Joe Jones. She directed the choir in her church "Our Lady of Victory".

Singing and playing drums with the Nat Cross Quartette, took her to the Club Wally and the Sir John Hotel in Miami, Florida.They played the Rod and Reel Club in Savannah, Georgia and the Domino Lounge in Atlanta, Georgia. The group worked at Garrets, the Top Hat and the Cavalier Hotel at Virginia Beach, Va.Vera played the Club Orleans & the Comedy Club in Baltimore, Maryland. Vera and the group was always booked again and again in the same clubs because of the great following they had in that area. Pennsylvania adopted them and they were well known in Philadelphia, Lancaster, Altoona, Bethlehem, Allentown, and Scranton. While working in Baltimore Vera shared the stage, bill and friendship with such notables as Vi Burnside, Dinah Washington, Red Foxx, and Russell Jacquette, the Trumpet playing brother of Illinois Jacquette.

Vera left the group and has been doing a successful stint as a single in New London Connecticut, Brooklyn, New York, New York city where she became the toast of the Club Baby Grand. Vera Lee appeared at the Cotton Club and the Nineteenth Hole in Cincinnati, Ohio. She formed a Trio and did stellar performances at the Crossroads and the Candle Light Lounge in Norfolk, VA. She drew record crowds in Tidewater at the Champagne Room, Rocks Lounge, Allan's Lounge and the Cellar Lounge where she was hailed as the exciting very versatile Vera; singing jazz, blues, pop, country, R&B and Spanish.

After living and working in New York City, San Diego, Buffalo Portland, Maine, Boston, Bremerton Washington and Portsmouth, VA; just to name a few. She moved to Las Vegas in 1993 and her singing and musical skills were acclaimed as she performed at Ball's for the Guardsmen and at the Las Vega Hilton for the AFL-CIO. In 2000 she played a strong role in the stage play "Tambourines to Glory" & received honorable mention for her clever portrayal of the character "Birdie Lee". During the same time she appeared in the Debbie Reynolds movie "Wedding Bell Blues". Most recently Vera has performed at the North Sea Jazz Festival in Rotterdam. Netherlands, Jazz & Folk Festival in Richmond, Virginia, Folk & blues Festival in Lowell, Massachusetts and the Tropical Ballroom in Brooklyn, New York.

Vera has performed for such notables as Congressman Norman Sisisky and Lieutenant Governor Richard J. Davis. She is a writer and a member of BMI & has been featured in Allegro Music Magazine.

Vera has enjoyed a very busy life but not too busy to earn a college degree, get married and give birth to a very wonderful son named Jerry Williams, Jr. who is a writer, singer & producer known as "Swamp Dogg".