My name is Michael Lee. I play keyboards. I also write music, do some arranging, some string orchestrations, I’ve produced a few albums, and I am a technical consultant for Apple’s Logic software. Like everyone else in this town, I do a little of everything. But mostly, I play keyboards.
Sometime in the 1980′s, everybody forgot how to make face-melting, bone-rattling synths, and started making anemic little samplers. Screw that! When I say, “I play keyboards”, what I mean is, I play a Hammond B3, Fender Suitcase Rhodes, Mini Moog, ARP 2600, ARP Omni 2, a Jupiter 8 through a custom guitar effects pedal-board, a Wurtlitzer 200, and a Juno 6. And, if you insist, I guess I can also wheel out the Triton Studio 88, the MacBook Pro, and the suitcase full of samples.
I’ve played for some people you know (Meredith Brooks, Melissa Etheridge, David Foster, BeBe Winans) and some people you don’t know, but should (The Dailies, Jen & Abby, Kenna). I’m mostly the blue collar guy, just outside the spotlight, who works to make the tune hit hard. I like interesting sounds, strange noises, old rooms with dusty gear, and music … above all music.
Hidalgo (keyboards, vocals on ending credits song), The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (live keyboards), The Late Show with David Letterman (live keyboards), The Late Late Show with Craig Kilborne (live keyboards), The Blockbuster Music Awards (house band, keyboards), The Prism Awards (house band, keyboards) Last Call with Carson Daily (live keyboards), Canada AM (live keyboards), The Mike Bullard Show (live keyboards), VH1 Divas (house band, keyboards), The Dr. Phil Show (keyboards on season promo), She Spies (sideline keyboards), Pantene Presents: Live from Central Park on MTV2 (live keyboards)
Over the past few years, most of the projects I’ve played are remote sessions. The gear stays setup at my place, with a full ProTools HD rig, Logic Pro, and all of the vintage keyboards. Your engineer can upload the tracking mixes to my server, and when the project is finished the keyboard tracks can either be sent back over the internet, or mailed back to you on a CD-R. We can do a live video chat during the tracking, or you can just send me the session files and let me find my own way through the songs.
If you’d rather take the session to a studio, I highly recommend Eldorado Recording in Burbank. I’ve done dozens of sessions with them, and the result is always something that artists are excited about. They staff the room with professionals, their equipment is pristine, and their selection of vintage mics and outboard gear brings out that huge sound that you can only get from a classic LA studio.
If you’re interested in having me record on your project, send me an email, and let’s start talking.
This is a partial list of recent compositions. If you’re interested in performing any of the piece listed, or in commissioning a new work, please contact me.
Boudicca (score) Spring, 2010
Chamber Orchestra (3:50) Premiered by the Azusa Pacific University Chamber Orchestra at the 2010 New Music Recital.
Our Father, Vindicate (score) December, 2009
8-part a capella men’s chorus (7:20). Premiered by the Azusa Pacific University Men’s Chorus at the American Choral Director’s Association in March of 2010. Click here to view a live performance of the piece.
Agnus Dei April, 2007
Film underscore for choir and orchestra (2:40). Commissioned by Christ Community Church of Buena Park as an underscore for a video montage used during Good Friday services.
Hymn Medley August, 2002
Vocal ensemble, piano, and strings (4:02). An arrangement of classic hymns for 5-part pop vocal ensemble, recorded by BASIX and The Nashville String Machine Orchestra.
Sappho 31(score) September, 2009
Mixed a capella chorus (3:15). Based on Fragment 31 by Sappho.
Wexford Carol (score) December, 2008
String Quartet (4:38). Commissioned by Christ Community Church in Buena Park, this arrangement was first performed there in December of 2008 by an ensemble of guest artists. This piece was also selected as a featured work for the 2009 LA Composers Workshop.
Rhythm-a-ning by Thelonious Monk (score) February, 2007
Piano Duet (6:30). Premiered by Joel Clifft and Michael A. Lee at the Faculty New Music recital at Azusa Pacific University in Spring of 2007.