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The students and faculty from The Memphis Jazz Workshop present The Music from the Hard-Bop Years (1955-1965). Featuring the music of jazz artists, such as Lee Morgan, Art Blakey, Herbie Hancock, Joe Henderson, Cannonball Adderley, Bobby Timmons, Wayne Shorter, and more.

This event is chaired by jazz pianist and educator Stephen Lee. Featuring Stephen Lee (piano), Gary Topper (tenor sax), Johnny Yancey (trumpet), Tyler Cain (acoustic bass), and Nygel Yancey (drums).

Doors at 6:30 pm | performance at 7 pm
Tickets: $15 (purchase on Eventbrite)

The Crosstown Jazz Series, presented by Strictly Jazz Entertainment in collaboration with Crosstown Arts, is designed to salute classic jazz music as contemporary musicians perform the work of the legends.

About Stephen Lee:
Stephen Lee is a Memphis native who has come full circle.  His talent and love for the music carried him miles from home, only to have him return with the whole-hearted desire to enrich and serve his home community.  Stephen found a passion for piano at the age of 8 and has never once looked back.

While at the University of Tennessee, he studied with jazz legend Donald Brown before moving to New York City to formally launch his career as a jazz artist.  The move to New York City served him well. It proved to be fertile ground, providing him with access to many of the giants of jazz and landing him in some of the most hallowed venues in the country like Smalls, Birdland and Iridium. During his tenure in the City, he shared a stage with a litany of stars like Esperanza Spaulding, Corcoran Holt, Ulysses Owens Jr, Billy Johnson, Gregory Porter and highly lauded fellow Memphian Kirk Whalum.

In addition to his performance credentials, he served as Musical Director for Manhattan’s Crenshaw Christian Center under the leadership of Dr. Fredrick Price (one of the most well-known names in ministry).  In New York, he rounded out his studies with a Bachelor’s in Jazz Performance from City College and a Master’s degree in Education from Freed Hardeman University.

Upon his move to Memphis in 2009, the growth, opportunities, and accolades continued. In 2012, Stephen received the Rhythm of Gospel Award. In 2013, he was nominated for First Round in the Stellar Gospel Awards for his album debut, Music in the Key of my Life.  In 2017, he won the Steinway and Sons Top Teacher Award and the Jimmie Lunceford Legacy Award.

Even still, he moves forward in the spirit of service and humility, firmly committed to the youth and music arts community in Memphis. He values the importance and impact of the arts for young people, which understands firsthand. He says, “Being connected to something you feel passionate about makes a huge difference in a kid’s life.

Lee is also Founder/CEO of the Memphis Jazz Workshop, a non-profit organization committed to cultivating young musicians by providing learning and performance opportunities with professional artists while embracing Jazz as our regional art form. Memphis Jazz Workshop was formed under the umbrella of LeeJazzOmega.

About Strictly Jazz:
Strictly Jazz Entertainment is committed to cultivating a growing community in the knowledge and appreciation of jazz. We facilitate dialogue and collaboration between the devoted supporters of jazz and the brand new constituents – those new to the genre – for the furthering of the jazz community. We provide a bridge between leading artists and a community that typically does not embrace jazz by promoting concerts in various venues to generate an atmosphere that is viable for the absorption of pure jazz.