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May 14

An Evening with Albert Lee

Jammin Java All Ages
Doors 6PM | Show 7:30PM

About the event

Albert Lee is a Grammy Award-winning British guitarist and multiple recipient of Guitar Player Magazine’s “Best Country Guitarist” who is celebrated by fans and musicians the world over for his fingerstyle and hybrid picking technique. Lee has worked both in the studio and on tour with many notable musicians from a wide range of genres including ERIC CLAPTON, the EVERLY BROTHERS, BILL WYMAN, EMMYLOU HARRIS, JOE COCKER, JACKSON BROWNE, ROSANNE CASH, and more. In 2002, he appeared on stage at the Concert for George, celebrating the life and music of Beatle George Harrison.

Lee started his music career at a very early age in England. With the likes of Elvis Presley, Chuck Berry and the Everly Brothers on the radio, Albert took to playing all over London in bars and church halls. In the mid to late 60s, a time of wah-wah pedals and distortion with Jimmy Hendrix and Eric Clapton fronting the music scene, Albert had his first taste of commercial success playing with Chris Farlowe and The Thunderbirds. Albert soon found his favored guitar of choice, the Fender Telecaster, (while everyone else was playing Gibson Les Paul and Fender Stratocaster), and along with this he discovered his love for country music.

Traveling back and forth between Los Angeles and the U.K., Albert worked with the likes of “A Poet and a One Man Band” before joining ‘The Crickets,’ with whom he recorded and toured. ‘Poet And The One Man Band’ eventually turned in to ‘Heads Hands & Feet’ with whom Albert enjoyed some commercial success, most notably in the U.K. Albert eventually got to meet and work with his idols, the Everly Brothers, playing with Don as lead guitarist and harmony singer in his touring band.

In Los Angeles, Albert would throw regular parties with Hogan’s Heroes for the likes of John Lennon, Joni Mitchell, Ringo Starr, and Jimmy Webb. In the mid 70s, Albert joined Joe Cocker’s band, which led him to an opportunity to tour with Emmylou Harris & The Hot Band. With the help of Emmylou’s husband and producer, Brian Ahearn alongside The Hot Band, Albert recorded his first solo album, ‘Hiding’ (1979).

Then came touring and a series of collaborations with long-time friend Eric Clapton that spanned five years and included the live album “Just One Night,” recorded at the Budokan (December 1979), which was the first release (April 1980) to feature Albert. On September 23, 1983, the Everly Brothers played their reunion concert at London’s Royal Albert Hall, and Albert was on hand as guitarist and Musical Director. He continued that role, touring and recording with them for over 20 years.

Albert continued to play on the road, working with a variety of artists and bands including Rosanne Cash, and eventually Gerry Hogan, who invited Albert to front his band ‘Hogan’s Heroes.’ This was the start of something both extremely different but hugely enjoyable for Albert, who at first was somewhat nervous about leading a band for the first time, but soon found his feet, and in turn, great success with the group.

Albert has been awarded two Grammys for “Best Country Instrumental Performance” in his illustrious career. In 2002, for “Foggy Mountain Breakdown,” from the album “Earl Scruggs & Friends,” and again in 2009 for his work on Brad Paisley’s track “Cluster Pluck.” He also received nominations for tracks on three of his solo albums. Lee has received many other awards as a guitarist, winning Guitar Player Magazine’s “Best Country Guitarist” five consecutive times.

Albert Lee is known within the music industry for his speed of playing and his technical virtuosity but is also one of the most melodic players. He’s often referred to as “the guitar player’s guitar player.” His song “Country Boy” helped to redefine country guitar for a whole generation of players and was later to become a #1 hit for multi-instrumentalist Ricky Skaggs. In the early 2000s, Albert toured regularly with Bill Wyman’s Rhythm Kings. Sugar Hill Records released Albert’s solo efforts, “Heartbreak Hill” in 2003 and “Road Runner” in 2006. In 2011, a summer jaunt with guitarist John Jorgenson prompted Albert to form his own U.S. band for the very first time, and to this day, he maintains a robust solo career and continues to tour with his great band, selling out venues from coast to coast.

This show is at Jammin Java

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227 Maple Ave East
Vienna, VA 22180
(703) 255-1566