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23rd Hour

A simple hello can change everything.

For singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Sherry Lynn-Lee and George Paolini, a chance meeting at an open mic transformed unlikely bedfellows into sympathetic, artistic souls.

The duo which goes under the moniker 23rd Hour, announced its debut album, Perfect Strangers, a collection of songs that melds eclectic and urbane musicality with pop accessibility and poetic sentiments. The band name refers to the pair’s very first jam session where, after 23 hours of playing together, the twosome’s disparate pool of influences coalesced in an original song.

“The night we first got together, I didn’t know where things would go. On the surface, it seemed like we had nothing in common,” recalls George. “We soon found out we were not oil and water—we were two complementary elements that came together to form an alloy.”

Sherry and George’s artistry encompasses jazz, classical, rock, folk, and pop. Their individual aesthetics, when intertwined, hit that sweet spot of subtle adventurousness epitomized by artists such as James Taylor, Joni Mitchell, and Norah Jones. Though the duo is only now issuing their debut, it has already had the tracks “Wonder” and “Looking” placed in the movie Three Days In August, which was released in 2016.

Sherry and George creatively interlace as songwriters, singers, and instrumentalists. Songs on 23rd Hour fluidly shift from Sherry at the center, with George on background vocals, to tunes led by George with Sherry providing support.

George sings in an understated baritone, and Sherry possesses a versatile mezzo- soprano. Often their vocals blend in tight, flowing harmonies. Both are gifted instrumentalists, proficient on guitar, piano, mandolin, harmonica. And they dabble in cello, clarinet, ukulele and percussion.

Perfect Strangers abounds with melodic jewels. The music wraps visceral stories with clever wordplay. Their sound is notably organic, employing acoustic instruments and, when electric, a very clean, unprocessed sound. The pop ballad “Hypothetically” sneaks country pedal steel flourishes within jazzy chord changes. The euphoric “So Good” steals you away to Texas for a brisk swing. “Perfect Strangers” melds folk, jazz, and pop to great effect.

Live, the duo offers a captivating experience for the audience. They keep things fresh by shifting instrumentation, and alternating lead and harmony vocal roles. Sherry and George’s repertoire extends from their deep catalog of originals to imaginative renditions of popular tunes. The pair’s show is suited to a variety of settings—from intimate duo performances to lush full-band shows.

Sherry first met George at an open mic in the Bay Area after she relocated from Toronto, Canada. Up until that point, Sherry was a solo artist with a promising career. She grew up singing, playing piano, and loving classical music. Prior to meeting Sherry, George was also a solo artist who grew up a Beatles fanatic, and played in rock bands until he discovered jazz. Upon high school graduation, he opted to refine his musicianship through attending Berklee School of Music.

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Take Five With...

Take Five with Sherry-Lynn Lee and George Paolini of 23rd Hour

Read "Take Five with Sherry-Lynn Lee and George Paolini of 23rd Hour" reviewed by 23rd Hour


About 23rd Hour For singer-songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Sherry-Lynn Lee and George Paolini, a chance meeting at an open mic transformed unlikely bedfellows into sympathetic artistic souls. Together now, the duo, who perform under the moniker 23rd Hour, announces its debut album--Perfect Strangers--a body of original compositions and jazz standards that melds eclectic and urbane musicality with pop accessibility and poetic sentiments. Sherry and George's artistry encompasses jazz, classical, rock, folk, and pop. They hit ...

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Technology

How An Unknown Duo Broke Top 10 On iTunes New Jazz Releases

How An Unknown Duo Broke Top 10 On iTunes New Jazz Releases

Source: HypeBot

Here the jazz-influenced singer/songwriter duet 23rd Hour out of Silicon Valley explain the details of how they were able to amplify their moderate online success into something greater until they were able to successfully crack the iTunes Top Ten for jazz releases. Guest post by Sherry-Lynn Lee & George Paolini of DIY Musician Six ways that 23rd Hour amplified their success On our release day, our album Perfect Strangers was featured on the iTunes new jazz releases section at #31. After ...

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Career

Run Your DIY Music Career Like A Tech Start-up

Run Your DIY Music Career Like A Tech Start-up

Source: HypeBot

George Paolini and Sherry-Lynn Lee of indie duo 23rd Hour have a unique perspective that straddles music and tech—two different worlds that have a lot to teach each other. In addition to making music, Sherry co-founded a start-up and works in tech in Silicon Valley. George is a former exec with Sun Microsystems, HP and Cisco. “I say luck is when an opportunity comes along and you’re prepared for it.”—Denzel Washington By George Paolini & Sherry-Lynn Lee of 23rd Hour, a jazz-influenced ...

“The singer has a great voice and it is super smooth. It reminds me a little of a Norah Jones voice with a Ben Folds piano vibe." -Introvert Guide Podcast

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