Meet Jay Lee | Guitarist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jay Lee and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jay, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I believe that starting music was an act of taking risks on my part. Of course, now I have achieved a lot as a musician because I took those risks. However, my parents have always wished for me to live a stable life without worrying about money, so they didn’t view the profession of a musician positively.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I strive to maintain my identity as a blues guitarist by incorporating my unique blues feeling into all my performances. Of course, there have been songs where it’s challenging to preserve the essence of the blues, but the hardest part has been figuring out how to express the blues genre in diverse ways. Throughout this process, I realized that expanding my understanding of music is the most important aspect.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
When a friend says they’re visiting LA, I focus on freedom and relaxation rather than just sightseeing. It’s all about escaping from daily life, enjoying quiet moments in a new place, and moving at my own pace. I believe that kind of free time is the best kind of trip.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I gained a lot of experience and advice from Berklee College of Music, particularly from professors Kevin Barry and Edvard Lee. Through their classes, I received valuable insights and stories, which helped me explore music in various ways and broaden my perspective as a performer.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/blues_0j/