By: Roy Stevens - Mon, Oct 3, 2011

When Ludlow based guitarist first appeared for Stratford Jazz some four years ago many of us were convinced that here was a star in the making. On the evidence of his quintet’s performance on Sunday evening at the Chapel at No1, Shakespeare Street the predictions were soundly justified.

Lee has recently released his second album Songs from the 13th Hour (3 star endorsement in the Jazzwise Magazine), which not only confirms his progress as an instrumentalist but also demonstrates his talent in writing good accessible compositions. Naturally a good proportion of the programme was devoted to Lee’s original tunes from the latest album but this young musician reads his audience very well and balanced proceedings with some jazz classics from Wes Montgomery, Wayne Shorter and Miles Davis.

Lee has assembled a fine band of musicians for his quintet. Binker Golding on tenor sax proved why he is such a draw on the London scene with some unflashy but imaginative solo work. Alex Steele on keyboard was very much at home with the funky grooves and excitement was in the air whenever he touched the keys. Tom Hill on bass and Neil Bullock on drums completed the team – I have enthused over this pair at length in the past, they are completely unfazed by any type of jazz that confronts them, superb rhythmic backing and great solos to boot!

This impressive outfit engaged the audience from the first number with their refreshing style of jazz/rock/funky/fusion, call it what you will, all I can say is that it was thoroughly entertaining.

On Sunday 9th Oct Stratford Jazz at the Chapel features a stalwart of Midlands jazz when trumpeter John Ruddick brings his quintet. A great opportunity to see this fine musician in a small group setting prior to his appearance conducting the MYJO at the Stratford Music Festival at the Levi Fox Hall on 21st October. For more info visit www.stratfordjazz.org.uk

Accessibility: All documents (PDFs) & external links open in a new window