Monica Anders said...
National recording artist and smooth jazz soprano saxophonist Dee Lucas has been considered one the country’s best well-kept secrets and is steadily expanding his fan base since the release of his well-received 2004 debut solo CD Remembrance, a tribute to legendary saxophonist George Howard. With Something To Ride 2, his sophomore release on Mo Better Recordings, Dee Lucas further develops his own distinctive style by bringing a more urban funk sound to his smooth tunes that is more than just pleasing to the ear.
Dee Lucas is a ‘true’ self-taught musician. The 42-year old Atlanta-based artist did not pick up the sax until the age of 28. However, with self-reliance, determination, and discipline, Dee has reached a level of professional musicianship in a ‘fast-track’ manner that would command the respect from both listeners and musical peers. The results from playing ‘from the heart’ has also developed his own unique style which is a career challenge for any artist.
Graduating from the University of North Alabama in 1988 with a Marketing/Computer Information Systems background, Dee moved to Atlanta the following year.
In 1997, Dee joined a local band called Between 9&7. “This was my first band where I actually got the chance to perform in front of both a live audience and in studio”. The band recorded a CD which was a moderate regional hit. Although getting a chance to get perform both rhythm and solos, Dee felt it was time to develop his own ensemble to demand more challenges within himself as both a musician and entrepreneur. So, on New Year’s Eve of 1999, Dee Lucas formed his own band called Xpressions. Xpressions was comprised of a contemporary jazz trio. They produced and recorded a CD titled ‘Footprints’ which gained notoriety in some regional markets. The record contained the classic hit ‘People Make the World Go Round’. All of the compositions were produced and arranged by keyboardist Karey Davis and assisted by the saxman himself.
The debut solo CD ‘Remembrance’ was released in 2004 under Dee’s newly-formed record label, Mo Better Recordings, and nationally distributed in 2005. It has received airplay from over 115 radio stations, and the list is growing. As an independent release, it has received stunning reviews. Smoothjazz.com’s Scott O’Brien said, “Dee Lucas has done a marvelous job of re-creating the instantly recognizable style and legacy of George Howard, while at the same time putting his own unique signature on each fresh, new performance….”
Adding consistency to his young but surprising start, Lucas released his second solo recording in 2007 titled ‘Something to Ride 2’ which truly met expectations and then some. “I am pleased with ‘Something To Ride 2,’ said Lucas. “I wanted a CD that people could groove to and have fun listening to and ‘Something To Ride 2” fits the bill. It’s somewhat of a departure from what I did on my first CD, ‘Remembrance.’ With this record I wanted to further develop my own distinctive sound as a solo artist. My style, from a horn perspective, is different from that of many traditional smooth jazz artists in terms of melodic phrasing. I like taking off on an uncharted path in music and ‘Something To Ride 2’ is a representation of the journey that I take each time I pick up the sax. All in all, the concept of this recording was to create groove-oriented music that EVERYONE could enjoy, and I think did that."
visit: www.deelucas.com
Monica Anders said...
National recording artist and smooth jazz soprano saxophonist Dee Lucas has been considered one the country’s best well-kept secrets and is steadily expanding his fan base since the release of his well-received 2004 debut solo CD Remembrance, a tribute to legendary saxophonist George Howard. With Something To Ride 2, his sophomore release on Mo Better Recordings, Dee Lucas further develops his own distinctive style by bringing a more urban funk sound to his smooth tunes that is more than just pleasing to the ear.
Dee Lucas is a ‘true’ self-taught musician. The 42-year old Atlanta-based artist did not pick up the sax until the age of 28. However, with self-reliance, determination, and discipline, Dee has reached a level of professional musicianship in a ‘fast-track’ manner that would command the respect from both listeners and musical peers. The results from playing ‘from the heart’ has also developed his own unique style which is a career challenge for any artist.
Graduating from the University of North Alabama in 1988 with a Marketing/Computer Information Systems background, Dee moved to Atlanta the following year.
In 1997, Dee joined a local band called Between 9&7. “This was my first band where I actually got the chance to perform in front of both a live audience and in studio”. The band recorded a CD which was a moderate regional hit. Although getting a chance to get perform both rhythm and solos, Dee felt it was time to develop his own ensemble to demand more challenges within himself as both a musician and entrepreneur. So, on New Year’s Eve of 1999, Dee Lucas formed his own band called Xpressions. Xpressions was comprised of a contemporary jazz trio. They produced and recorded a CD titled ‘Footprints’ which gained notoriety in some regional markets. The record contained the classic hit ‘People Make the World Go Round’. All of the compositions were produced and arranged by keyboardist Karey Davis and assisted by the saxman himself.
The debut solo CD ‘Remembrance’ was released in 2004 under Dee’s newly-formed record label, Mo Better Recordings, and nationally distributed in 2005. It has received airplay from over 115 radio stations, and the list is growing. As an independent release, it has received stunning reviews. Smoothjazz.com’s Scott O’Brien said, “Dee Lucas has done a marvelous job of re-creating the instantly recognizable style and legacy of George Howard, while at the same time putting his own unique signature on each fresh, new performance….”
Adding consistency to his young but surprising start, Lucas released his second solo recording in 2007 titled ‘Something to Ride 2’ which truly met expectations and then some. “I am pleased with ‘Something To Ride 2,’ said Lucas. “I wanted a CD that people could groove to and have fun listening to and ‘Something To Ride 2” fits the bill. It’s somewhat of a departure from what I did on my first CD, ‘Remembrance.’ With this record I wanted to further develop my own distinctive sound as a solo artist. My style, from a horn perspective, is different from that of many traditional smooth jazz artists in terms of melodic phrasing. I like taking off on an uncharted path in music and ‘Something To Ride 2’ is a representation of the journey that I take each time I pick up the sax. All in all, the concept of this recording was to create groove-oriented music that EVERYONE could enjoy, and I think did that."
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