My second album “Lee’s Boogie” is finally complete! My first album in 2014 “THE UNION MEETIN’” was the colorful session with Chicago’s finest musicians, in the varied forms of the band, trio and duo. On the contrary, I recorded my second album basically alone, accompanying myself on piano. I’d like to tell you a little how it came about.
It’s been around 4 years since I started my monthly solo live at Bright Brown, Nakano, Tokyo. I gradually got used to performing on my own, came to feel the unique appeal of the solo piano, and got lost deeply into the world of Piano Blues. During that time, I started to feel it would be nice to challenge myself to record alone someday.

In December 2016, we lost the pianist I loved and respected, Barrelhouse Chuck to a disease. He was one of the few pianists who kept the old school tradition in Chicago Blues today. As most of the Blues Piano masters are gone, he was the one that greatly influenced me in the Chicago Blues Piano tradition.

Grief-stricken, I found out that Chuck’s tribute concert was going to be held with his musician friends, so I flew to Chicago and had the luck to take part in the show. It was followed by the recording of the album “Royal Mint” with The Cash Box Kings, where I had an honor of playing in his place. I realized Chuck’s music and life is ever shining in the history of blues that has been passed down from the old days to present, and to the future. From that experience I realized the importance of recording my current music.

In June 2017, I flew back to Chicago and went to the same studio where I made my 1st album, and recorded my solo album. For this occasion, I penned my first original tune “Pumpkin’s Boogie” (10). It’s about the very cute and friendly cat in the apartment where I always stay in Chicago. This is my favorite, the fun Boogie Woogie that makes everybody happy. (4) is the walking blues about Murphy, my dog in Japan and the CEO of my record label. You can see them both in the artwork.

The cover songs are of Tampa Red (2)(5), Irving Berlin’s lament a la Leroy Carr(6), Lee Green(9), Jimmy Reed arranged in piano blues (7).

On (8) and (11), I played four-hands on a piano with the legendary Erwin Helfer, who was Chuck’s hero and friend since he was in his teens.
I had the courage to ask Erwin to record (11) together, particularly for Chuck.
Erwin and Chuck are my biggest contemporary influences.

(12) is another tribute to Chuck, his original with which I usually close my gigs. Mr. Shoji Naito, the co-producer of my fist album “THE UNION MEETIN”, joined me on harp and ukulele.

Being the solo recording from an intimate background as such, the album turned out to be a reflection of my present self in living color. The songs convey the dynamism of Blues Piano, its pleasant tones, lush melodies and above all the joy of playing. Wherever you can relax, in front of the speakers, with your favorite drink or two, I hope you take your time and enjoy the cream of the crop of the Blues Piano.

Lee Kanehira

AN INTIMATE PIANO BLUES—DEEP & WARM

Internationally acclaimed blues pianist/singer Miss Lee returns with her second album, where you can indulge in the lush world of prewar piano blues.

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Produced by Rie Kanehira
Recorded And Mixed by Brian Leach
Mastered by Blaise Barton at Joyride Studio in Chicago IL in June 2017

Lee Kanehira: Piano & Vocals

Special Guests: Erwin Helfer: Piano (8,11) Shoji Naito: Harmonica and Ukulele (12) Pumpkin: Meow (10)

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Track list
1. Lee’s Boogie
2. Let’s Try It Again
3. Longing For My Sugar
4. Walkin’ With Murphy
5. Keep Jumping
6. How About Me
7. I Wanna Be Loved
8. Spaghetti
9. The Way I Feel
10. Pumpkin’s Boogie
11. 4 O’Clock Blues
12. Iza Mae