Amos Lee
Jan 24, 2011
Raised in the Philadelphia area, Amos Lee ended up going to the University of South Carolina, where he graduated with a degree in English. It was at this time that he started to take music seriously. He returned home and began to teach elementary school, but the desire to play music soon overcame him, and he resigned his post to pursue his dream. He began playing in local clubs and became something of a local sensation, eventually opening for such acts as Bob Dylan, B.B. King and Mose Allison.
During this time Norah Jones also became a fan and took him under her wing by asking him to open for her on her 2004 European tour. Things went so well that she asked him to do the same in the U.S. One thing led to another, and Lee released his eponymous debut on Blue Note enjoying success at both radio and retail.
Lee's music harkens back to an earlier musical period when styles more naturally blended together and in his case, that would be country soul and folk. He continued with that approach on his sophomore effort, "Supply And Demand," which locked him in as an important artist at the Triple A format.
With, "Last Days at the Lodge," we saw Lee expanding his musical horizon a bit, adding in a bit more tempo and a whole lotta passion. The record was produced by Don Was. Several impressive players also participated in the project including, Doyle Bramhall, Jr. on guitar, Spooner Oldham on keys, Pino Palladino on bass and James Gadson on drums, among others.
Now Lee takes another creative step forward with "Mission Bell." The project was produced by Joey Burns of the acclaimed band Calexico and displays a broader musical range for Lee. With a remarkable set of guests -- including Lucinda Williams, Willie Nelson, Sam Beam (Iron & Wine), Priscilla Ahn, Pieta Brown and James Gadson-and the musical backing of Calexico -- the album marks the arrival of Lee as a mature artist who continues to explore his musical and thematic interests.
In addition to the focus track, "Windows Are Rolled Down," several other tracks also stand out including "El Camino" (both versions), "Flower," "Violin," "Out of the Cold," "Jesus" and "Cup of Sorrow."
Lee was recently featured on WXPN's "Free At Noon" performance at World Café in Philadelphia, which was webcast live by NPR Music -- plus his World Café interview runs January 28th. He also headlined WFUV's 6th Annual Holiday Cheer show in December and was a featured performer on Levon Helm's intimate Midnight Ramble concert series in Woodstock, NY. In addition, Lee appeared on CMT's Artists of the Year special in late 2010. He will be on "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno" on January 26th, "Late Show with David letterman" on February 16th, CBS's "The Early Show" on February 18th, and a PBS's "Tavis Smiley" taping is in the works.
Lee is now on tour, including a performance for NPR's "Mountain Stage" live music program, which will be broadcast on April 24th.
- 01/20 Moore Theater, Seattle
- 01/21 Crystal Ballroom, Portland, OR
- 01/22 McDonald Theater, Eugene, OR
- 01/24 El Rey Theater, Chico, CA
- 01/25 The Fillmore, San Francisco
- 01/27 Music Box, Los Angeles
- 01/28 House of Blues, Anaheim, CA
- 01/29 House of Blues, San Diego
- 01/30 Rialto Theater, Tucson
- 02/01 The Depot, Salt Lake City
- 02/03 Vilar Center, Beaver Creek, CO
- 02/04 Belly Up, Aspen, CO
- 02/05 Boulder Theater, Boulder, CO
- 02/07 Liberty Hall, Lawrence, KS
- 02/09 Cain's Ballroom, Tulsa
- 02/10 House of Blues, Dallas
- 02/11 Paramount, Austin
- 02/12 House of Blues, Houston
- 03/24 State Theatre, Minneapolis
- 03/25 Turner Hall, Milwaukee
- 03/26 The Vic Theater, Chicago
- 03/27 Egyptian Room, Indianapolis
- 03/29 The Ark, Ann Arbor, MI
- 04/01-02 Irving Plaza, New York
- 04/03 Wilbur Theater, Boston
- 04/05 Merriam Theatre, Philadelphia
- 04/06 9:30 Club, Washington, DC
- 04/08 Ryman Auditorium, Nashville
- 04/09 Variety Theatre, Atlanta
- 04/22 Lincoln Theater, Raleigh
- 04/23 Knight Theater, Charlotte
- 04/24 Mountain Stage, Charleston, WV
- 04/25 Tennessee Theater, Knoxville
- 04/28 NCPAC, Charleston, SC
- 04/29 WorkPlay Theatre, Birmingham
For more details, visit www.amoslee.com.