Primary Instrument: Sax, soprano
Soprano saxophonist Dee Lucas’s newest CD Something To Ride 2 is a smooth jazz classic in the making. With the breakout hits Bayou and Chameleon leading the way, Something To Ride 2 lends to a perfect musical getaway, with a refreshing selection of songs that are smooth and mellow, yet tinged with an urban, funky flavor. Lucas’ second CD is set for release April 16, 2007, on the independent label Mo Better Recordings.
“I am pleased with ‘Something To Ride 2,’ said Dee. “I wanted a CD that people could groove to and have fun listening to and ‘Something To Ride 2” fits the bill. It’s a departure from what I did on my first CD, ‘Remembrance.’ With this record I wanted to further develop my own distinctive sound as a solo artist. My style, from a horn perspective, is different from that of many traditional smooth jazz artists in terms of timbre and tone. My music tends to speak more than sing with the horn, allowing me to indulge in notes that are more staccato. I like taking off on an uncharted path in music and ‘Something To Ride 2’ is a representation of the journey that I take each time I pick up the sax.”
Dee is a true self-taught musician. The 40-year-old Atlantan did not pick up the sax until the age of 28. However, with self-reliance, determination, and discipline, Dee has reached a level of professional musicianship in a fast-track manner that has been embraced by jazz listeners and musical peers.
During his short but fast-growing career, Dee has performed in several settings. He has been an opening act for such artists as Roy Ayers, Hugh Masakela, The Gap Band, Lalah Hathaway, and five-time Grammy-nominee Nneena Freelon. He has performed at several jazz festivals and on concerts bills with artists such as Kirk Whalum, Gerald Veasley, Greg Karukas, Oleta Adams, Warren Hill, Ken Ford, Boney James, Pieces of a Dream, Tower of Power, Euge Groove, Jeff Golub, Chris Botti, Ramsey Lewis, Nancy Wilson, Ronny Jordan, Kenny Garrett, Nicholas Payton, Abbe Lincoln, Joshua Redman, and Gerald Albright. Dee has performed at celebrity birthday bashes for Ray Charles, Gladys Knight and Dominique Wilkins. In addition, he has been the featured entertainment at both government and corporate events hosted by The 100 Black Men of America, the McDonalds Corporation, American Urban Radio Networks and the DeKalb County, Georgia CEO Inauguration Ball honoring Vernon Jones. He has headlined at the Arts Council Theatre in Winston Salem, N.C.; Jazz-N-June and the Von Braun Civic Center in Huntsville, Ala.; Ritz Theatre in Jacksonville, Fla; and the Crowe’s Nest and Café 290 in Atlanta, Ga.
Dee's debut solo CD Remembrance was released in 2004 on Mo Better Recordings, and nationally distributed in 2005. The CD received airplay on more than 115 radio stations and has earned stunning reviews. Smoothjazz.com's Scott O'Brien said, “Dee Lucas has done a marvelous job of re-creating the instantly recognizable style and legacy of George Howard, while at the same time putting his own unique signature on each fresh, new performance.”
~Scott O’Brien, Smooth Jazz.com
Something To Ride 2” is a superb example of some of the best urban smooth jazz you will hear all year. “Something To Ride 2” is a real delight and without doubt will find its way into the Smooth Jazz Therapy top twenty of 2007. ~Denis Poole, Smooth Jazz Therapy.com
I'm listening to “Human Nature,” and I love it when a musician takes a track and makes it their own. I don't like note-for-note cover songs . . . job well done. Now I'm on “Chameleon” and I'm sold. ~Earl aka DJ Jazzy L, Jazz Lounge.com
Lucas’ bonus remix of Herbie Hancock’s “Chameleon” sways just about right with its handclaps and spacey keys, while the chillout vibe of “Into the Night” does right by spotlighting Karey Davis’ jazz piano and Joel Powell’s bass solos. ~Brian Soergel, Jazz Times
Something To Ride 2
Mo Better Recordings
2007
Tracks: Method to the Madness; Something to Ride 2; Nothing That I Do; I Can't Stop Loving You; Bayou; Chameleon; Never Felt This Way; Reconcile; Chameleon (Bonus Mix); Into the Night.
Personnel: Produced by Karey Davis, Jon Roberts & Antoine Hollins; Executive Producer: Orlando "Dee" Lucas.
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