Lee: Tehillim World Premiere

  On February 11, soprano Marquita Lister joins pianist Marvin Mills for the world premiere of James Lee III’s new song cycle Tehillim. The performance takes place in Irvine, CA, and is a highlight of the 20th anniversary of the African American Art Song Alliance Conference. Lee shares some thoughts about Tehillim. “‘When Marquita Lister […]

Lee: A Terrific Piece

“James Lee III’s Sukkot Through Orion’s Nebula is a terrific piece and a wonderful way to open our concert.” On the eve of the Atlanta Symphony’s October 20 and 22 events, Evans Mirageas, (Vice President of Artistic Planning and Operations) shares his enthusiasm for the composer’s work as it is featured during the orchestra’s Modern […]

Lee: Important Things to Say

“James Lee’s new piece Thurgood’s Rhapsody is wonderful!” Marin Alsop, music director of the Baltimore Symphony, introduces us to the composer’s new work Thurgood’s Rhapsody, which premieres on June 9.  Commissioned by Classical Movements, Inc. for Alsop and the orchestra, Lee was one of ten American composers asked to create short celebratory works in honor […]

Lee: Unexpected Detours

On April 24, pianist Rochelle Sennet premieres James Lee III’s new Concerto for Piano and Wind Ensemble with the Morgan State University Symphonic Band. Melvin N. Miles conducts. The four-movement, 22-minute work was written for both Sennet and the university ensemble, and is a continued collaboration with Sennet, who premiered the composers’ Piano Sonata No. […]

Lee: Distinctive and Compelling

“James Lee III has one of the most distinctive and compelling voices in all of music.” On the eve of the Baltimore Choral Arts Society’s (BCA) March 20 world premiere of the composer’s new work Hallelu Yah!, music director Tom Hall offers some insight into the first performance. Hall continues. “In 2010, the Baltimore Choral […]

Lee: A Compelling & Individual Voice

“Shriver Hall Concert Series is delighted to kick off its 2015-16 ‘Born in Baltimore’ commissioning project with James Lee III’s Piano Trio No. 2, “Temple Visions“. On October 25, The Montrose Trio performs Lee’s new chamber work as the ensemble presents the East Coast premiere in Baltimore, MD. Commissioned by Shriver Hall Concert Series, “Temple […]

Lee: A Wonderful Opportunity

  Last fall, James Lee III started his academic year as a Fulbright Scholar in Brazil, where he hosted masterclasses and seminars at the State University of Campinas (São Paulo) and traveled through the country researching traditional Brazilian music. This spring, he finishes the year by returning to South America. From May 20 – 24, […]

Lee: A Perpetual State of Discovery

  “Every moment I spend studying and rehearsing Millennium Homecoming has been a joy.” And so, Prof. Melvin Miles introduces us to James Lee III’s newest work, as Prof. Miles leads the Morgan State University Symphonic Band in the April 26th world premiere in Baltimore, MD. Miles continues. “James Lee’s new composition is a delightful […]

Lee: Innovative, Grounded, & Rewarding

On November 19, James Lee III’s new chamber work Passeios Harmônicos (Harmonic Trips/Tours) receives its world premiere at the Federal University of Rio Grande do Norte in Natal, Brazil. Currently on sabbatical from his post at Morgan State University (Baltimore, MD), Lee is spending the 2014 fall semester as a Fulbright Scholar traveling through Brazil […]

Lee: Don’t Waste Any Time

“I always wanted to write my own etudes and my own sonatas.” Composer James Lee III shares some career insight with executive editor Molly Sheridan in a featured profile on NewMusicBox.org — the trailblazing online magazine for contemporary American music. The up-close chat offers Lee’s thoughts about his compositions, his early childhood piano lessons and […]