Are you a musician who has performed at Smalls or Mezzrow in the past and doesn’t have an artist account then please contact us directly at musician@smallslive.com.
The SmallsLIVE Foundation for Jazz Art & Education is a not-for-profit arts organization.
Our mission is to subsidize the operation of our venues, recording projects, tours and educational initiatives.
During this Covid-19 pandemic our mission is to keep the clubs floating until business can be restored.
We will also sponsor live-streamed concerts from the club that will keep the musicians working during this period.
We will also be offering emergency aid for Jazz musicians in need due to this calamity.
Archive
The SmallsLIVE Archive is an audio/video library of all the shows at Smalls & Mezzrow.
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Members sponsor their favorite musicians by listening to their music.
Live Stream
Smalls Jazz Club has been a pioneer in live streaming and began streaming shows live from the venue in 2007.
There is no cost to watch our live streams. During normal operating times the entire evening is streamed.
During this Covid-19 pandemic period there will be special live concerts scheduled in advance.
SmallsLIVE Catalog
The SmallsLIVE Catalog is a collection of individually produced artist projects.
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Sponsorships directly support the artist.
Justin Lees
Guitar
Recently Added
Upcoming Shows
Justin started playing guitar professionally in the late 70’s and studied guitar with several local prominent guitarists in Washington D.C., including Rick Whitehead, Paul Bollenbach (local to DC at the time), Bill Biesecker, Danny Gatton, and guitarists not so local (including Herb Ellis and Emily Remler).
Although stylistically diverse, Justin's main focus is on a straight ahead approach to jazz steeped in the fifties tradition of Charlie Parker and Dizzy Gillespie and rooted in the styles of Charlie Christian and T Bone Walker. The feeling of Swing and the Blues is a constant. While in Washington D.C., he worked as a freelance musician with a variety of people that have included Ron Holloway, Dick Morgan, Keeter Betts, Cindy Cain and others. At that time, you could here him every Monday night with his own trio at the One Step Down, Washington D.C.’s premier Jazz club, until it’s closing.
He performed at Blues Alley, 219 Club, and Constitution Hall plus.
He has studied seriously with Howard Alden and Michele Ramo, as well as Dr. Asher Zlotnik. Past performances include opening for Nina Simone as a member of the Ron Holloway Group at Constitution Hall.
In addition to his own solo, duo, and trio projects, current projects include
being the guitarist for the John Colianni Quintet, since its formation in 2006. John Colianni was Les Paul’s most recent pianist
until his passing, and was with Mel Torme for 4 years, and also played for Lionel Hampton at the tender age of 19.
Other highlights from Justin's playing history (with John Colianni) include touring England in March of 2007 as well as playing for the Tri-State Jazz Society early in 2009. He also recorded on John Colianni’s record Johnny Chops (a 2008 release) and on “On Target”, a follow up release.
Additionally, He has played with the Gypsy Jazz Phenomenon Franglais as well as with The Jazz Collective.
Justin currently performs weekly in Brooklyn with
The Yaacov Meyman Quartet at Gambrinus Restaurant.
8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
He performs with his own Trio at The Uptown Lounge and Restaurant on Manhattan on Tuesdays from 7:00p.m. until 10:00 p.m..
His trio also performs at The Garage, Cleopatra’s Needle
and The Bar Next Door all located on Manhattan. Check calendar for details. SEE WEBSITE for my NEW ALBUM / YOUTUBE AND MORE!!
www.justinleesjazz.com