John Lester

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Recent Posts

Letting Go
Kid in a Candy Store

LATEST NEWS:

My trio was featured on KCSM's "In The Moment" with Jim Bennett on Thursday, October 10th. Jim recorded a show at Music Box at the Moon, at Pasta Moon in Half Moon Bay, back in August with Mark Levine on piano and Bob Johnson on sax. Here's a bit of what Jim had to say about the evening: "His latest CD "Jazz?" combines his experience as a singer and songwriter, with his love for open ended improvisation. His takes on rock and pop standards with great jazz sensibility and penchant for swing, make this a wonderful and fresh approach in the canon of improvised music."

JazzTimes has reviewed the new album. Here's what they have to say about "Jazz?" -

"Most standards began as what we now refer to as covers...the shifting tides of pop culture have washed away many of Tin Pan Alley’s masterpieces… but on his fourth release as a leader, bassist and singer John Lester has smartly updated the concept, using more contemporary hits for “Jazz?”. – JazzTimes

"JAZZ?" ~

The new album sets ten modern rock songs into a late 1950’s jazz context and brings together John’s love for both great contemporary songwriting, and the open improvisation of a jazz quartet.

"Jazz?" was recorded in London at Eastcote Studios, and features John on vocals and double bass, with Theo Travis on saxophone and flute, Steve Lodder on piano, and Davide Giovannini on drums. The album was mixed in New York by Brian Montgomery at Spin Studios and mastered by Randy Merrill at Masterdisk.

WHAT RADIO HAS TO SAY ABOUT "JAZZ?" ~

Eric Cohen, WAER, Syracuse:
"One of the most compelling albums I've heard in the past year, from the first note to the last.”

Bob Rogers, taintradio.org (JazzWeek station of the year 2011):
"On each track, singer/bassist John Lester strikes me as someone who knows how to tell the story, allowing the listener to hear these old songs in compelling new ways. That's what jazz and good songs do best!"

Jack Hopke, WWNO, New Orleans:
"A number of artists have recently undertaken jazz covers of pop and rock tunes, but the Lester effort stands out for its thoughtful song selection, its quality of swing (which sounds natural, unforced, and well-mated to the material), and Lester's fine singing”

Upcoming Shows

(all details on Shows page)

Dec 4 at 7:30pm
Strings
Berkeley, CA
Playing a few tunes at
year end Strings show

Dec 11th at 6:30pm-10pm
John Lester Trio
Yoshi's Lounge
San Francisco
with Alex Murzyn (sax)
and Phil Hawkins (drums)
3 sets with my trio!

Dec 13 at 6pm
Cypress Acoustic Series
Moss Beach, CA
Solo set at Holiday Fundraiser

2014 EUROPE TOUR
1/29 - Baden, Switzerland
1/31 - Emmendingen, Germany
2/1 - Dortmund, Germany
2/3 - Bochum. Germany
2/4 - Amsterdam, NL
2/6 - London, UK
2/8 - Burton-On-Trent, UK
2/9 - Birmingham, UK