For her newest release Glimpse, Oakland-raised vocalist and songwriter Jennifer Lee returns with a collection of original songs that reflect love, transformation, and musical adventure. Partnering once again with longtime collaborator and renowned guitarist Peter Sprague, Lee delivers an album that’s rich in style, instrumentation, and emotional honesty.
Glimpse is Lee’s fourth album as a leader, following the acclaimed Jaywalkin’ (2003), Quiet Joy (2009), and My Shining Hour (2018). Throughout her recording career, she has earned a reputation for blending Brazilian influences, straight-ahead jazz, and singer-songwriter intimacy into a sound uniquely her own. On Glimpse, Lee explores a diverse range of musical moods—from modern jazz ballads to uptempo Brazilian grooves—while keeping her distinct voice front and center.
The album features nine original songs, one jazz standard, and a composition by two close friends. It's performed by a stellar group of California-based jazz musicians, including Peter Sprague (guitar), Adam Shulman (piano/Rhodes), Gunnar Biggs (acoustic bass), Duncan Moore and Vince Lateano (drums), Tommy Aros (percussion), Derek Cannon (trumpet), Tripp Sprague (sax), Rich Kuhns (accordion), Justin Grinnell and Doug Pohorski (bass), and Anton Schwartz and John Wiitala (saxophones and bass, respectively). Grammy-winning flugelhornist Randy Brecker also contributes a standout performance on the track “Warrior, Drop Your Sword.”
Many of the songs on Glimpse are inspired by Lee’s personal life, especially her relationship with her husband George. The opening track, “I Caught a Glimpse of Your Soul,” is a poignant account of the profound connection they shared from their first meeting. Other originals like “Farewell to Comfort” and “Vivid Technicolor Love” reflect both joy and change, rooted in Lee’s journey of love and self-discovery.
One of the album’s most compelling aspects is Lee’s ability to find the universal within the personal. On “Dave Don’t Mind the Rain,” composed by Shanna Carlson with lyrics by the late Cathi Walkup, Lee brings humor and depth to a story about a rainy-day gig. “If I Only Had a Brain,” reimagined as a ballad, showcases Lee’s vocal nuance and emotional insight, while her arrangement strips the song down to its lyrical essence.
Lee’s personal evolution is also a theme. “Serendipity” expresses her belief in the power of positivity, and “Hold On” was written immediately after a profound experience during a 2014 ayahuasca ceremony. “Superhero” and “Here You Are” pay tribute to her husband, while “Strange and Beautiful” closes the album on a whimsical, reflective note.
A Bay Area native, Lee’s musical journey began with jazz piano and evolved as she gradually stepped into the role of singer-songwriter. Her artistic voice deepened after decades of performing across California, including a long-standing collaboration with Peter Sprague, who also produced Glimpse on his label SBE Records. She adopted the moniker “Jennifer Lee and the Ever-Expanding Universe” in 2017 to distinguish herself from another artist with the same name on streaming platforms.
Glimpse is an album of vulnerability, elegance, and expert musicianship. With her luminous voice and polished songwriting, Lee continues to push the boundaries of modern jazz vocals while remaining deeply connected to the roots of the genre. For fans of jazz infused with lyrical storytelling and bold originality, Glimpse is a must-listen.
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