John Lester

Bio

“Whether you regard him as an acoustic singer-songwriter, a soulful vocalist, or a superb and innovative bassist, his talent is undeniable” - Time Out Magazine

John Lester is an award winning singer-songwriter-bassist from the San Francisco Bay Area who has, throughout his career, had one foot in the folk/rock/acoustic music scene and the other in jazz and improvised music. He has six albums to his credit, first releasing Live at The Freight and Salvage back in 2001. His latest album, Fathers and Sons, is a collection of his most personal and powerful work yet. Inspired by the often unspoken family relationships between men, each song messages the love, pain, tension, struggle, and questions that arise and confound these ties and bonds. From the full acceptance and embrace of a young boy’s gender fluidity in “The Beautiful Princess of Never Come True”, to the merciful attempts at reconciliation with an estranged father during his final days in “The High Road”, to the feeling of forever growing family love in “Real, Real Love”, John’s life experience as a father, husband, son, teacher, and story teller is felt throughout each song as well.  

“Great writing from local musician John Lester.”  - Rosalie Howarth (KFOG’s Acoustic Sunrise)

As a bassist John spent years as a side person and his talents on the bass have been utilized by such diverse artists as Nashville hit-songwriter Gretchen Peters, Concord Jazz Label’s Full Faith and Credit Big Band, folk-master Peter Rowan, and punk rock’s poet laureate Patti Smith. He has been a featured artist at both European Bass Day and UK Bass Day, and has toured with fellow bass virtuosos Michael Manring and Steve Lawson. His experience as a musician brings a wide diversity to both his playing and writing styles.

“Lester’s USP is his supreme mastery of all possible variations of bass guitar, and his use of them as lead instruments. His understated virtuosity demands attention!”

- Maverick Magazine, UK

As a solo performer, John created a show singing his songs with only his 100-year-old upright bass named Sarah (after Sarah Vaughan, for her lovely vocal-like quality).  After years as a bassist in bands, John stepped onto the stage at an open mic at The Hotel Utah in San Francisco and sang a little blues original with just his upright bass to back him up. The success of that experience, many years ago now, led to John continuing to develop his unique performances as a singer-songwriter-bassist. He has now toured throughout the US and Europe as a solo act.

“A gifted double bass player and a fine singer-songwriter with a rich smoky voice.”

-  Time Out London

While always centered around his voice and acoustic bass, John’s solo performances have grown to include his bass guitars, acoustic nylon string guitar, ukulele, and percussion. John also plays a custom Rick Turner acoustic/electric six string bass/guitar (pictured above) which enables him to play both fretless bass and fretted guitar parts simultaneously. John also utilizes a loop recorder to create live tracks for his songs and improvisation.

“Nice when a wonderful narrator like John Lester comes along, his voice suspending over the streamlines of his landscapes of sound.” - Westfälische Rundschau, Germany

As a jazz musician John continues to explore classic jazz while leaning towards his love of contemporary songwriting.  His album “Jazz?”, a collection of rock songs performed as straight ahead jazz, brought together prominent musicians versed in both genres. It features John on vocals and upright bass with Steve Lodder on piano (Carla Bley, Ernestine Anderson, Paul McCartney), Theo Travis on sax and flute (Robert Fripp, Davide Sylvian, David Gilmore), and Davide Giovannini (Roy Hargrove, John Scofield, Steve Winwood, and Bjork). The album was recorded in London, mixed in New York City, and made the top 100 on the national JazzWeek charts. John’s covers of songs by the likes of Counting Crows, Pink Floyd, and Tori Amos were played alongside jazz masters such as Chet Baker, Stan Getz, and Miles Davis.

  “His album ‘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 to the canon of improvised music”. - Jim Bennet, KCSM

As a writer, John was awarded the “Song of the Year Award” from West Coast Songwriter’s on two occasions, as well as winning “Best Jazz Song” and “Best Humorous Song”. John continues to play solo performances, duos with guest percussionist/drummers, shows with his all basses and beats project Bass Bureaucracy, jazz trios and quartets, and double-bill tours with Irish singer-songwriter Paul Tiernan.

See the “Shows” page on this site for upcoming performances.