Samuel C. Lees

Samuel C. Lees has emerged as one of the UK’s most exciting and entertaining Gypsy guitar players. Samuel’s fusing of both the smooth melodic style of Django Reindhardt and the fire and flair of modern gypsy guitar players such as Jimmy Rosenberg and Joscho Stephen surpasses convention and crosses boundaries.

Samuel’s performances combine an eclectic mix of Gypsy standards, Swing 42 and Djangoligy, modern songs, Valerie by the Zutons and Wishing Well by Free and his own original compositions. The floating rising phrasing of Florence Dream (inspired by his daughter Evelyn Florence) and All About Time...

Throughout his colourful career, Samuel has worked with such guitar greats as Yngwie Malmsteen, Robben Ford and Walter Trout. Samuel has recently enjoyed playing with Daniel John Martin, a truly wonderful violinist who is a usual side man for Angelo De Barre and Romane

The Samuel C Lees Quartet was originally started by Samuel C Lees And Graham Kidd in 2008 as a duo, both Samuel and Graham had a love of Gypsy Jazz. The music of Django Reinhardt inspired the duo to commit their talents to breakdown the "jazz barrier" wanting to share and promote Gypsy Swing with many other talented players across the globe.

The success of the duo then evolved into a trio with the inclusion of young drummer Grant Kershaw who, like Samuel and Graham, has a great love of Jazz. This love of music inspired the group to approach songs that are outside the gypsy jazz era.

Samuel’s brother, Joe Lees on bass, gave the group that low end swing with his tasteful basslines. Joe joined the band as bass and producer of the group’s recording duties. Joe has also worked with many artists from around the world of music, such as Walter Trout and Jonny Winter.

The group decided to follow the traditional gypsy jazz line-up with Grants departure as Paul Woolliscroft, 2nd rhythm guitarist joined the group.

Since Samuel regularly plays as a duo, trio and quartet, and also with his wife Jennifer on vocals, or with talents such as Daniel John Martin on violin, it was decided to drop the 'Quartet' from the name and so he is now, of course... Samuel C. Lees