Whether you regard San Francisco Bay Area export John Lester as an acoustic singer-songwriter, a soulful vocalist, or a superb and innovative bassist, his talent is undeniable. His voice stands out thanks to a balanced combination of talents: introspective and thought-provoking lyricism, resonant vocals, and melodious expertise on the double bass as well as a variety of electric basses and acoustic guitars.
Throughout his teens and twenties, John followed the forward progression of rock and popular music learning many styles while honing his skills on electric bass. He began writing and singing and eventually penned many award winning songs for the North California Songwriter Association including Best Jazz Song, Best Humorous Song, and he received two Song of the Year Awards.
His jazz studies lead him to a degree in music composition. He began playing acoustic double bass at age 18 and played in small groups as well as big bands including Concord Jazz Recording artists Full Faith and Credit and the San Francisco Jazz Composer’s Orchestra. As John’s skills grew the jazz bands that he played with began opening for major jazz acts such as Ray Charles, Chick Corea, and Stan Getz.
After years of experience backing bands, John stepped into the spotlight with his unique vocal and bass solo show utilizing all his skills on both electric and acoustic basses and further developing his singing and songwriting prowess. In 2001 John released his first CD as an artist entitled “Live at the Freight and Salvage”. This live recording, captured at one of the San Francisco Bay Areas best acoustic venues, featured six of John’s solo performances as well as band songs. The CD was well received and John started touring in support of the project. His travels took him up and down the US west coast as well as Nashville and New York.
Later that year John took an opportunity to move to Paris and started playing both the European jazz and acoustic singer-songwriter circuits. He released his second CD “Big Dreams and the Bottom Line” from the UK in 2003, living in London for two years. He was a regular at London clubs such as The Troubadour, The 12 Bar, and The 606 Club. At the time of the lead up to the invasion of Iraq as part of the US "War on Terror", one of John's songs, "Out of the Clear Blue Sky", became representative of many Americans feelings and was include on the international release "Peace Not War". John was in the company of the upper echelon of protest singers including Ani DiFranco, Pete Seeger, and the band Public Enemy.
In 2005 John moved to Amsterdam. He wrote and released his third CD “So Many Reasons” in 2006 (Europe) and 2007 (USA). The album featured the award winning title cut as well as his humorous warning about walking the streets of Paris "Beware La Merde". John's beautiful ballad about the brother of Vincent Van Gogh "Last Letter to Theo" led him to a gig at the Van Gogh Museum (opening for and sitting in with Patti Smith on his double bass).
Throughout the following four years John toured extensively in Europe playing throughout the UK, The Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, and France as well returning to San Francisco, Nashville, and New York City for shows each year. John’s shows and recordings earned praise in the press throughout the US and Europe.
In early 2011, John returned to the studio to begin work on his 4th CD, a project that brings him back full circle to his roots in both jazz and rock. He recorded in London with his jazz quartet featuring Theo Travis on sax and flute, Steve Lodder on piano, and Davide Giovannini on drums. The CD is a collection of rock songs performed as straight ahead jazz pieces bringing together John’s love for both great modern songwriting and jazz improvisation. The CD is to be mixed in New York and will be released in Fall 2012.