Vivian Lee

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.