Have you ever ever skilled a kind of moments the place you might be within the presence of a expertise so beautiful that you just initially lose your self within the present and take up the event, however then one other second follows the place you suppose, “Wait, how can they be so good at one thing like that?” At an early age?
Anybody who attends the live performance at Mary's Place contained in the vacation spot retailer, Taos Life-style, will doubtless expertise the same second listening to award-winning singer, songwriter and mandolinist AJ Lee and her rising bluegrass band. Mary Domito of Taos Life-style already skilled that second with AJ Lee & Blue Summit. “You may inform you noticed them proper right here in Taos,” she mentioned of the band.
Along with Lee, who has been enjoying mandolin since he was 4 years outdated, the band consists of Scott Gates on guitar, Jan Purat on violin, and Sullivan Tuttle on guitar. The band kind of matches into the bluegrass style, however doesn’t embrace a banjo. As an alternative, Gates and Tuttle play steel-string acoustic guitars that, together with Lee's mandolin and Purat's fiddle, have helped the band create its signature bluegrass, nation, soul, swing and rock sound.
In response to Lee, Blue Summit technically began enjoying collectively in 2015, “and all of us bonded after that.” Talking with Lee from his native California, he talked in regards to the West Coast bluegrass scene. “Many persons are shocked that California has a powerful bluegrass scene. I grew up with this primarily via my mother. She related me with a youngsters's program when she was 4 or 5 years outdated and, effectively, the remaining is historical past.” So younger and small, the mandolin suited her physique and it made sense to begin with it. “It's unusual to begin enjoying music at such a younger age, however I've by no means felt compelled to play, it's simply a part of me. I keep in mind after I was so younger my mother pulled me nearer to the microphone as a result of she couldn't attain it.”
Lee has no downside reaching the microphone now and together with his virtually translucent voice, the band has discovered its groove. “It looks as if issues are getting busier yearly,” the singer-songwriter mentioned he feels snug fronting an all-male band. “Taos holds a particular place for us. Once we had been getting ready for our final album, we went on a retreat with the band in Taos: we labored in workshops, wrote and put the album collectively. “We created unbelievable recollections.”
That album, their second, can be launched in July. Lee defined that they are going to play a mixture of outdated songs from her first album and songs not but launched. “We are excited to play Mary's Place. She’s an amazing artist herself – she dabbles in every kind of issues,” Lee mentioned of Domito, a neighborhood chief who helps a wide range of organizations and initiatives, together with bringing high quality music to Taos.
“I'm excited to have them again for the third time in Taos and particularly excited to have them play Mary's Place,” Domito mentioned. “These are world-class musicians led by AJ Lee, who is a superb songwriter with such a pure, clear voice.”
In a short while, AJ Lee & Blue Summit have garnered quite a lot of consideration and awards. Already on her resume are awards for Finest Feminine Vocalist (nine-time winner), Finest Bluegrass Band, Finest Mandolinist, Finest Guitarist, Freshgrass Band Contest Winner, IBMA Momentum Vocalist of the 12 months and a Nationwide Flatpicking Award.
When requested what the very best a part of being AJ Lee was, the old-souled younger lady thoughtfully responded, “I really feel very fortunate to have the ability to encompass myself with wonderful individuals who deliver out the very best in me.” I can deliver folks collectively who turn into the very best of buddies.” Lee spoke of her love for taking part in music and the camaraderie of the band. “We’re impressed by one another.”
AJ Lee and Blue Summit will carry out on Sunday, February 25 at 6 pm at Mary's Place inside Taos Life-style positioned at 815 Paseo Del Pueblo Sur. The steered donation for the live performance is $20. CDs, vinyl and extra merchandise can be accessible for buy. For extra info, go to bluesummitmusic.com.
