I am the leader and vocalist of a jazz group. We are anything from a trio to a quintet. Our style is mainstream straight ahead jazz but can be anything from listening jazz, swing, ambiance and more. We have a very extensive repertoire that encompasses the American Songbook, jazz standards with lyrics, written by others or myself, Brazilian (think Jobim) and more. A very classy group, we know how to create just the right mood and feel for a wedding, opening, festival and concerts. I can also put on tributes and theme shows - Think Billie Holiday Tribute, Ladies of Jazz shows and more.
1 review
Shawn C.
December 9, 2024Professional, and fabulous!!
Hired as: Jazz Band, Jazz Singer
Vivian Lee
Thank you Shawn. It was wonderful to play for you guys. The vibe and the theme of the evening was fun. Felt like being one of those bands playing for a party back in the 30s. Thank you again for choosing us to play for you.
Price range: $650 and up
Languages: English
Gig length: 120 - 240 minutes
Insurance: $1,000,000 - Commercial General Liability
To hear and see the Vivian Lee Quartet is to be taken back in time. The band comes dressed to play - my band members are generally in suits and ties and I, as the singer, am in a gown. For less formal events we can dress to fit the occasion.
We come with a very extensive repertoire of songs from the American Songbook as well as many jazz standards. I take great care in moving the audience on a journey or bringing back a memory of the past - that special dance, picnic or time spent with someone special. I try to tap into the imagination of the listener to hear, see and feel the lyrics to the songs.
If it's ambiance you need we can provide that without being intrusive on the conversations flowing around the cocktail or dinner hour. We are just there on the fringe of consciousness that makes the event feel special while allowing friends and colleagues to converse.
When the time comes to dance, if that is wanted, we can make your hips sway, your feet want to move or bring that warm and mellow feeling as your slowly move across the floor during a ballad.
Jazz vocalist Vivian Lee specializes in the standards – Gershwin, Ellington, Jobim, with some Brubeck, Hubbard, Monk and Gillespie thrown in. Taking classic instrumental works, she has written lyrics to make them uniquely hers. Ms Lee has three times (2005, 2006, 2007) been voted one of Sacramento’s top jazz groups and top local entertainer in Sacramento Magazine’s “Best Of Sacramento issue. In 2009 she was voted by the editors of Sacramento Magazine as “Best Jazz Diva”. In 2014 the Black Music Association of America Sacramento Chapter inducted Ms Lee into the Hall of Fame as a Music Icon and also selected her as Jazz Vocalist of the Year for 2014.
With Joe Gilman or Brenden Lowe on piano, Paul Klempau or Buca Necak on bass, and Jeff Minnieweather on drums, this SAMMIE award winning vocalists’ unique style, phrasing and magical stage presence will captivate the audience.
In March 2013 she released her fourth CD – From Miss Lee To You, a tribute of sorts to some of jazz’ great vocalists.
The band does come with it's own sound equipment but if the venue (club or other) has a sound system we can run that. If doing a concert we need no more than a ten by 12 foot stage. All of my musicians have their instruments and amps but if possible a tuned baby grand piano is preferred as the sound quality is definitely enhanced by having that.
Friday
Birthday Party
5:00pm - 7:00pm
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Sacramento, CA
Saturday
Wedding Cocktail Hour
2:00pm - 4:00pm
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Sacramento, CA
Take the A Train, Fotografia, Just Friends, Please Don't Talk About Me When I'm Gone, I've Got the World on a String, Call Me, The Lamp is Low, Boy From Ipanema, God Bless the Child, Afternoon In Paris, Ruby My Dear, Alice in Wonderland, Key Largo, All The Things You Are, All of Me, Sometimes I'm Happy, Stompin at the Savoy, I Thought About You, The Very Thought of You, The Man I Love, Lover Man, Gentle Rain, Little White Lies, Just Friends, Night and Day, Nearness of You, Old Devil Moon, Moonglow, Summerwind, Fly Me To the Moon, Foggy Day, Days of Wine and Roses, Bein Green, Poinciana, Love Walked In, The Way You Look Tonight, They Can't Take That Away, Our Love is Here To Stay, Over The Rainbow, and many more. We have a repertoire of over 300 songs that I sing and the band has an infinite number of jazz tunes as instrumentals.
The jazz artists from the past have greatly influenced me - Billie Holiday, Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Carmen McRae. Also as a vocalist I take a lot of my influence from the great instrumentalists and use my voice as an instrument. I take my cues from the likes of Dizzy Gillespie, Miles Davis and others to tap into the swing feel that these musicians created.
We require an outlet near the area that we are performing in
If a sound system is provided - two speakers, two monitors, PA head (at least four channels)microphone cords to mic the keyboard, bass and the vocalist
1. If there is a stage it needs to be at least 10ft x 12ft
Jazz Band
