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Biography

Recording artist, performer and composer Liza Lee is a breakout talent rapidly making her mark on today’s jazz scene. Her personal and haunting musical interpretations exhibit an emotional vulnerability laced with a confident understanding of life’s realities.

Liza’s (pronounced the same way as the famous Minnelli) highly praised first CD, Scarlet Mark, was released on the Jazz Doll label. Her latest project, Anima, was released on January 27, 2009. Anima has since been re-released on The “Art of Life” label. Lee is the first female vocalist to be signed to “Art of Life Records”. As on her previous album, the material she has chosen for Anima is fresh, unpredictable and innovative. It also includes some of her highly praised yet controversial original compositions.

Anima is an extremely personal CD. In 2006, shortly after the release of Scarlet Mark, Liza suffered a stroke. Having made a full comeback, Liza Lee has decided to donate the proceeds from Anima to The Society For Women's Health Research (SWHR), a non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the health of all women through research, education and advocacy (www.womenshealthresearch.org). This life altering experience inspired the title of the CD, Anima, which comes from the concept of the Anima and Animus by Carl Jung.

“Anima represents the feminine whisper inside of a patriarchal society,” Liza explains. “This is especially significant to me because this CD will benefit SWHR.”

“The doctors did not know if I would ever be able to sing or perform again,” explains Liza. “Now that I am better, I feel that it is my job to help increase awareness about the dire need for funds to research how illness, disease and medications uniquely affect women’s bodies.”

Most of the songs on Anima were composed or co-composed by women including Joni Mitchell’s “Blue,” “A Thousand Kisses Deep” by Leonard Cohen and Sharon Robinson, and Kate Bush’s “Wow.” Liza Lee is particularly haunting on “Silver Dagger” and “Revolving Mattress,” a song about confounding expectations and “Sorry Child” an original about the cyclical nature of drug and psychological abuse. She also presents a unique and memorable interpretation of the Peggy Lee hit “Is That All There Is.” Her supporting cast includes such notables as pianists Bruce Barth, Michael Kanan, David Cook and Art Hirahara, bassist Pat O’Leary, drummers Michael Petrosino and Eric Halvorson, the reeds of Scott Robinson, Jim Clouse and Adam Kolker, and guitarist Kelsey Warren. Singer Shayna Steele duets with Liza on ”Calling You.”

Born in Reading, PA, Liza Lee grew up in a home surrounded by music. Her grandmother, Terry Norman, was a well-known jazz vocalist.

“My father is a Beatles fanatic,” reminisces Liza. “Other staples in our house included Bryan Ferry, David Bowie, Bob Dylan, Jethro Tull and The Doors, but my mom and dad also enjoyed classical and jazz. The influence of all these genres is reflected in my work.”

Liza Lee began her training with tap dancing lessons at the age of four, however, early on found that when she sang, she gained a great deal of attention. After performing in a number of local children’s musicals, her mother took her to New York at age 13, where she began performing onstage in off-Broadway productions as well as in commercials, film and print work.

After years of steady work and success in musical theatre, Liza Lee felt a calling for “something more” that would allow her a more personal voice. Around this time she happened to meet Paul Scholastico.

“Mr. Scholastico’s impact on me was the greatest of all teachers I have ever had,” Liza explains. “He taught me that in order to be a great performer, you need to really be connected to your soul and that I would need to feel life. He taught me that performing should be a transcendent experience and that, if I could let go and let the notes and words become a bridge between the audience and me, then I could become a considerable vessel for music.”

Although Liza found the transition from musical theatre to a solo artist somewhat difficult at first, she gained experience quickly. In addition to being the responsible solo front-person, she had to learn the ins and outs of talking to audiences without a script. Swiftly she learned the importance of being herself and conveying spontaneity and genuineness to her audience.

She considers her meeting and subsequent studies with pianist Bruce Barth an important experience in her transition. Above all, he taught Liza to be true to her own voice. She also studied with Eric Mingus, Luciana Souza, and Jeannette LoVetri (technique).

As her self-confidence improved, Liza began to work regularly on the club circuit. “I’m very comfortable in a jazz setting now. I realize that this is where I come from. I‘m not trying to be anyone else. I just go with the flow and enjoy becoming a cohesive member of a great band.”

When the time to record her first album arrived, the result was Scarlet Mark. As with all of Liza Lee’s music, the songs dealt with aspects of her life. She drew from such diverse writers as the Beatles, Bob Dylan, David Bowie, Tori Amos, Ani DiFranco, Cole Porter and Hoagy Carmichael, in addition to her own title cut.

Liza has just released her first all-original alternative-pop music project, Houses of Detention EP + Extra Goodies, she recorded this project with producer, guitarist and composer Joe Davi, whose credits include work with Mya (Interscope), Akon (Universal), Foxy Brown (Universal), Noreaga (Penalty), Big Punisher (Loud), Kelis (Jive Records), Remy Ma (Universal) as well as Neyo and Jennifer Hudson. For the future, Liza has been busy recording an original jazz-pop project with Joe entitled, The Lover-Less Chronicles as well as writing songs and lyrics for other artists.

Liza Lee is an important voice of the 21st Century. Her continual evolution and development, which are well displayed on Anima, are fascinating to watch and her thought-provoking music is always memorable. She has proven herself a consistently intriguing vocalist and a significant addition to the current music scene.

The "Anima" CD is available 100% of Liza Lee's proceeds benefit The Society for Women's Health Research.

"I am glad to help increase awareness about the dire need for funds to research how illness, disease and medications uniquely affect women’s bodies."

Please click the link below to view my full story on The Society For Women's Health Research site

"Please consider donating now to help the Society continue it's important work!"

XOxoXO,
Liza

Click Here For Liza's "SWHR" Story

Society For Women's Health Research Web Site

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