Julian Lee was an amazing jazz musician from New Zealand. He played with many other talented musicians and was rather famous in his day. Amazingly, he is also blind. After suffering a stroke, the 94-year-old wanted to give the piano another try.
His family and friends were happy to help him with that.
In 2003, several Australian performers and musicians decided to throw him a huge birthday party at The Basement Nightclub in Sydney. His family members also shared his story with radioinfo. They said:
“Julian Lee was blind at birth and has been involved in music since the age of six. His first major involvement after University was as band leader and arranger for the New Zealand Broadcasting Service, leaving for Sydney in 1956 to work as an arranger for the Australian Broadcasting Service and Channel Seven. He later formed his own company, producing commercials for radio and television.
“In 1963, he left for Los Angeles and in the following years arranged for ‘Greats,’ such as George Shearing, Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee and worked on albums for Gerry Mulligan, Chet Baker, Harry ‘Sweets’ Edison, and much other Jazz and light music names. During this period, he also arranged for the Pat Boone National Television Show.
“During the next three years, he worked as a producer for Capitol Records and played in many famous jazz venues around Los Angeles, including Shelley’s Manne Hole, China Trader, and Dantes. He then returned to New Zealand to for four years to work for Radio New Zealand and was involved in jazz, directing the Neophonic Society’s Big Band.”
This is an impressive resume for any musician, but that’s not all Julian accomplished in his life.
The website also says:
“Since his return to Sydney in 1978, Julian Lee has staged concerts in the Sydney Opera House, worked as music coordinator at Channel Ten, arranged music for various projects for the ABC and has produced and arranged records for artists such as Don Burrows, Billy Field, Johnny Nicol, Ricky May, James Galway, Yvonne Kenny and Kerrie Biddell.
“Lee had an eight-year stint as resident pianist at the Regent Hotel, Sydney, and more recently the Inter-Continental Hotel and performed with Kerrie Biddell and the Don Burrows Quintet. He also worked with visiting international artists such as Ronnie Scott, Urbie Green, Red Rodney, Phil Wilson, and Lee Konitz. Julian has worked with orchestras (Jazz and Classical works), including the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, the SBS Youth Orchestra (an original composition featuring Don Burrows), The Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and the Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra.”
Many artists performed at this big birthday party.
They included legendary Don Burrows, George Golla, Judy Bailey, George Washingmachine, Michael Bartolomei, Graham Conlon, David Martin, Ian Bloxsom, Don Radder, Paula Langlands, Joy Mulligan, Murray Tanner with many more still to be announced.
Despite suffering a stroke a few years later, Julian was determined to play the piano again.
His family knew that he would do it. He had already accomplished so much in his life, so why not this? His friend and fellow musician recorded and posted the video on YouTube. He played alongside Julian and was thrilled at the chance to do so. In the video description, he wrote:
“It’s special being with my mentor Don Burrows and our great mate Julian Lee for the day in Mossvale. Jules hasn’t played for years since his last stroke…he turns 95 this year and we share our birthday…music is such a joy.”
In the video, Julian is surrounded by his friends and his loving wife.
He is smiling, and although it appears that he struggled for a few seconds at first, once he gets started on the piano, his fingers know exactly what to do.
The video shows that when you love something and are good at it, your mind never forgets how to do it.
Jazz piano was always a part of Julian’s life, and it just came naturally to him. Even when a stroke threatened to take it away, he held onto it. Thanks to his family and friends, he will always be able to play whenever he wants. His talent is amazing, and the love and support he receives from his friends and family are touching.
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