The unmistakable sound of the Hammond B3 organ — gritty, soulful, and irresistibly swingin’ — takes centre stage when multi-instrumentalist John Lee reunites with longtime collaborators Kosma Busheikin on guitar and Graham Villette on drums for an electrifying night of classic organ-trio jazz.
Rooted in groove and driven by deep musical chemistry, the trio delivers a sound that is both timeless and visceral — the kind of music that makes toes tap, heads nod, and audiences lean in. Expect a set steeped in blues, bebop, and soul-jazz traditions, performed with the swagger and spontaneity that define the great Hammond B3 lineage.
Raised in Nanaimo, British Columbia, John Lee has emerged as one of Canada’s most acclaimed jazz artists. A prodigious talent from an early age, he honed his craft on Vancouver Island before moving to Boston in 2010 to attend the prestigious Berklee College of Music, where he studied with legendary musicians including Ralph Peterson Jr., Terri Lyne Carrington, and Dave Santoro.
Lee’s career as a sideman has taken him to some of the most respected stages in jazz. At just 19, he made his U.S. debut with pianist Cyrus Chestnut at Dizzy’s Club Coca-Cola at Jazz at Lincoln Center in New York City. Over the years, he has performed with an extraordinary roster of internationally renowned artists, and in recent years has developed a strong creative partnership with Vancouver saxophonist and impresario Cory Weeds, appearing alongside many of today’s leading jazz voices.
With the support of the Cellar Music Group, Lee released his debut album The Artist in 2021 on the Cellar Live label, followed by his sophomore recording Second Wind in 2024. In addition to his own projects, he continues to be a sought-after collaborator and recording artist, appearing on numerous acclaimed releases within the Canadian and international jazz community.
An accomplished educator and mentor, Lee remains deeply connected to the Canadian jazz scene, inspiring the next generation of musicians while continuing to push musical boundaries as a bandleader and multi-instrumentalist.