Kenji Lee

About Kenji

Kenji Lee is a Japanese-American multi-instrumentalist, composer-improviser, arts advocate, and educator merging the intersections of art, community, and equity.

Born in Tokyo, Japan, and raised in the seaside town of Laguna Beach, California, Lee began studying music at an early age and spent most of his childhood immersed in music. He spent nearly a decade learning from the late-great bassist and educator Roger Shew. Lee relocated to the Midwest to attend the University of Michigan, where he holds two degrees.

Lee has crafted a powerful voice “beyond his years” [OC Register]. As a saxophonist and double-bassist, Lee has performed with many of the leading forces in so-called Jazz and Creative music including Wayne Horvitz, Dr. Prof. Leonard King, Marion Hayden, Mr. B (Mark Braun), The Planet D Nonet, Benje Daneman, The Kanola Band, RJ Spangler, Jeff Pedraz, Kayvon Gordon, Lex Korten, and Andy Milne.

Lee’s work as an arts leader is expansive and deeply rooted in his commitment to cultivating community, fostering comprehensive DEI, and promoting arts advocacy. Lee has held leadership roles at Canterbury House, Kerrytown Concert House, and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. In these capacities, he has curated over 200 performances in a diverse array of accessible & transformative concerts, poetry readings, dance recitals, art shows, and more.

In late 2022, Lee released his debut full-length album, Kyudo, featuring the Fortune Teller Trio (Lee on saxophones, Andy Peck on double bass and Jonathan Barahal Taylor on percussion) with special guest, vocalist Estar Cohen to critical acclaim. The ensemble was subsequently selected as a featured artist at the 2023 Detroit International Jazz Festival.