The Sonja Lee Band - Telling It Like It Is

It's been said that Sonja Lee has a voice both sweet and powerful, a mixture of Etta James, Joan Osborne, Diana Krall, with maybe a little Janis Joplin thrown in to sharpen the edge. Sonja's low, silky voice can ease away the troubles of the day - and then sneak up on you like passion in the back seat of a Chevy.

Sonja's smoky vocals are backed by a combination of veteran musicians and astounding young talent. Robert Goldtooth Ray on upright bass has played for more than 45 years. He is a master of his craft, adding a special distinction to the CD with the uniquely mellow flavor of the big bass. Grant Wilson is another seasoned musician who has played drums pretty much since birth, and his intricate rhythms shine on songs like Temptation and Sway.

The others are much younger, each gifted with remarkable talent and classically trained. Thomas Harris blows a smooth, sultry sax, adding tremendous emotional depth to the music. Julianne Thoma's light touch on the piano is the perfect balance to Sonja's vocals, while Matthew Ray van den Heuvel calmly cranks out incredible riffs on the guitar.

This debut album offers up a tasty blend of jazz and blues, ranging from the soulful Lady Sings the Blues and the whimsical Aged and Mellow, to high energy blues tunes like Looking for a Man and I'm Feeling Alright. Sonja's amazing diversity and vocal strength pull it all together, with support from a band so polished nobody has to show off.

Everything fits together nicely. The jazz is sweet, the kind of jazz you like to listen to instead of put up with. And the blues! let's just say you ain't really heard the blues until you've heard Sonja Lee.