When I play SOLO, it's me, Sarah my upright bass, and a collection of bass guitars, a loop recorder, and sometimes my Spanish nylon string acoustic guitar (if I can carry it all).
JAZZ BANDS:
The SAN FRANCISCO TRIO is myself with Bob Johnson on sax and either Steve Rossi or Celso Alberti on drums.
My AMSTERDAM QUARTET features pianist Bas Van Lier.
My UK QUARTET is with Theo Travis on sax/flute, Steve Lodder on piano, and Davide Giovannini or Roy Dodds on drums.
My GERMANY TRIO features Stephan Olfers on saxophone and Jens Ulrich Otto on drums.
Influences
Sounds Like
Make sure to press stop on the music player above before starting video
Solo performance of "I Saw You" at the Rochefort en Accords Festival, Rochefort France (August 2007):
Playing "So Many Reasons" at the Rochefort en Accords Festival, France (August 2006) with guest guitarists Paul Tiernan and Darden Smith:
Solo performance of "Beware La Merde" at the Rochefort en Accords Festival (August 2006):
SOLO BASS/VOCAL/SONGWRITER PERFOMANCES:
When I was in my mid-thirties I discovered, quite by accident, my solo bass and vocal ‘show’. At the heart of the music is my 90 year old upright bass, Sarah. The first time I ever sang and played one of my songs with just her at my side was at a little club in San Francisco called the Hotel Utah in 1995. I sang a simple blues number at an open mic and the enthusiastic reaction from the audience became the catalyst for my continuing to pursue my solo performance career. Being a bassist, I had previously only performed in bands.
Sarah and I have now played throughout the US, and recently in England, France, Luxembourg, Germany, and The Netherlands, where I now live. I have played solo support shows for some artists whom I respect very much including Patti Smith, Gretchen Peters, and Jools Holland. I was a featured artist at European Bass Day 2004, played on an all bass UK tour with Michael Manring and Steve Lawson, and was featured at UK Bass Day in 2005.
2006 became my busiest year ever with four UK tours and shows throughout Europe. I debuted my jazz quartet at Londons famous 606 Club as well as playing solo shows at festivals and acoustic music venues.
In early 2007 I released my third CD "So Many Reasons" in the UK. It was released in the US on September 4th followed by a short US tour; two San Francisco double bill shows with the amazing solo bassist Michael Manring, a Nashville gig 'in-the-round' at the world famous Bluebird Cafe with Gretchen Peters, Craig Caruthers, and Don Henry, and also two New York City shows at The Living Room and The Bitter End.
In 2008 I continued to tour Europe returning to France, Switzerland, Germany, and playing here in The Netherlands.
As 2009 starts I am focusing on shows in and around Amsterdam and have started recording my fourth CD, to be released this coming Fall.
Each recording features a few solo pieces in the way that a singer-songwriter-guitarist might have a few ‘acoustic’ tunes. For me, it’s just my vocal and one of my basses.
Besides Sarah, I play 4, 5, and 6 string electric fretted and fretless basses, as well as acoustic bass guitar and acoustic guitar. My live performances also include using loop recorders to create live tracks using only my instruments and voice.
JAZZ:
In the late 90’s I put together a jazz trio featuring saxophonist Bob Johnson and drummer Steve Rossi for gigs in the San Francisco Bay Area. As well as my more jazz oriented songs, we performed instrumental jazz compositions ranging from choice standards to progressive modern instrumental compositions. The bass/vocal, sax, and drums format allowed me to make the trio an extension of my solo bass/vocal show with a strong emphasis on improvisation.
I still work with Bob and Steve when I return for San Francisco Bay Area shows and they are both featured on my new CD release “So Many Reasons”. In England, I now work with London sax/flutist Theo Travis, also featured on the new CD, pianist Steve Lodder, and drummers Davide Giovannini or Roy Dodds. I recently started up a trio in Germany with Stephan Olfers on saxophone and Jens Ulrich Otto on drums. I am currently working in my new hometown of Amsterdam with pianist Bas van Lier.
Hello and welcome to MySpace/JohnLesterMusic. I am a singer-songwriter and bassist from San Francisco, now living in Amsterdam. I play both acoustic music venues (solo bass and voice) and jazz venues (with trios and quartets).
FALL 2008 SHOWS:
SUPPORT for KIERAN HALPIN:
Oct 26: Park Theater, ALPHEN A/D REIN, NETHERLANDS
My latest CD “So Many Reasons” has now been released in The Netherlands and reviews are starting to come in:
"Bassist John Lester creëert prachtige melodielijnen en wordt begeleid door uitstekende muziekanten. Een genot om naar te luisteren." -www.festivalinfo.nl
UK REVIEWS- SO MANY REASONS:
“Whether you regard him as an acoustic singer/songwriter,
a soulful vocalist, or a superb and innovative bassist,
his talent is undeniable.” -Ray’s Jazz CDs
”His trademark voice sounds like it has been crafted from
silk and granite, all at the same time!” -Maverick Magazine (feature article), UK
“…whatever he's singing he brings conviction and swing to it,
…wonderfully entertaining.” -www.vortexjazz.co.uk
“…he can even work minor miracles and make a bass solo sound interesting!” -Jazzwise Magazine (UK)
“…life pondering lyrics and a cosmopolitan sense of humor.” -Americana-uk.com
“A gifted double bass player… and fine singer-songwriter, with a rich smokey voice
…excellent!” -Time Out London
“Lester’s USP is his supreme mastery of all possible varieties
of bass guitar and his use of them as lead instruments
…his understated virtuosity demands attention.” -Maverick Magazine (CD review), UK
“Lester has assembled a stellar cast of musicians to help bring his songs to life and it is here that the album stands out from allot of other ‘bass’ albums” -Bass Guitar Magazine, UK
"A unique blend of jazz and original material from a world class singer/songwriter whose talent and experience make every gig special.
One of the finest exponents of this art form on the scene today -Steve Rubie, venue owner, The 606 Club, London
REVIEWS- BIG DREAMS AND THE BOTTOM LINE:
BIG DREAMS AND THE BOTTOM LINE was released in 2003 in the US and 2004 in Europe. It features four solo tunes and seven band tracks. Here's a bit of what was said about my first studio CD...
“A bassist and singer extraordinaire, Lester is a rare talent who mixes fine songwriting skills
with a husky voice that communicates wisdom far beyond his years”.
-Good Times Magazine (USA)
“That Lester is doing it on his own is remarkable, that he can stand in the company of Ben Harper and Sting, often outshining them both, is nothing short of a revelation…biting lyricism that cuts quick and deep.”
-Logo Magazine (UK)
“Best lyrical commentary of 2003.” [‘Out of the Clear Blue Sky’] -Radioio.com/acoustic
“John Lester doesn't just have a great voice, he is a voice!
Great songs that really communicate.”
-KPFA, Berkeley, California
“No, he is not - you might be relieved to know - yet another guitarist
armed with three chords and (their version of) the truth.”
-Folkworld Magazine (GERMANY)
“The music of John Lester has it’s own unmistakable style,
drawing from the best of jazz, folk, and blues.”
-3VOOR12 (THE NETHERLANDS)
"His bass/vocal approach is intriguing and innovative but never gets in the way of the song itself. Genre-defying music."
-Gretchen Peters, Grammy nominated Nashville songwriter
“There is a relaxed riff running through everything, like a jazzy Van Morrison stripped down to the essentials, and the primarily bass accompaniment eases you in, settles you down and gently tells you a poetic story.”
-Ace (UK)
“…a very powerful voice, the sound of absolute clarity.”
-Cinema Musique (FRANCE)
“John Lester evokes comparison to such modern minded contemporaries as Seal, Ben Harper,
and Sting with his strong melodies and deep harmonies accented by the bassist's bright overtones
and jazz inspired counterpoint.”
-musicworkz.co.uk/jamm
"It's a real treat to hear such a fresh take on the singer-songwriter concept." -Michael Manring, award winning solo bassist
“A voice like a 2am top shelf scotch.”
-venue owner, Portland, Oregon
John, Thank your for a fantastic gig at Crosskeys on Friday night. You are an awesome bass player and one of the best singer-songwriters I have ever had the pleasure of hearing. Your songs send a tingle down my spine. Best wishes Rob
hy john, yes all good , lots of giggin and writing stuff...play your album 2 death , great stuff, would still love to do a hang track with you one day !!! peace bro ;)
John, Just stopping by to say "hey". I gather from the comments that you are a "dad" once again-if so, congratulations! Any chance of your still playing in Philadelphia some time? Let me know.
Hi John Congrats on the new arrival - Hope Mrs L is fine too. Sorry I missed your birthday - home PC blue screen of death and no myspace access at work. Anyway, hope it was a blast. Cheers Al
Hoooray John, Lisa and Kai! I'm so happy for you all and can't wait to meet Aaron! Congratulations! I got my visa as well so I'll be living in London after the 16th permanently! Yippee!
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