Christopher John ( C.J.) Lee is an Australian blues and roots songwriter, singer, guitarist, banjo picker, harmonica player, and bass drum kicker. Often, all at once. In 2016, Lee followed his heart and moved to Ontario, Canada where he quickly hustled his way into regular rotations on multiple stages in Southwestern Ontario.
Lee started playing the Sydney and Melbourne music scenes at an early age. At 19 he was recruited by Nathan Cavaleri (B.B King, Jimmy Barnes, Diesel, Mark Knoffler) to tour as a guitarist and vocalist for the blues-rock band Nat Col & The Kings. He spent five years on the road with the band.
After leaving Australia, Lee spent three years in the UK where he played at crowded drinking holes in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow and most notably his one-man show at The Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2014, 2015 and 2016.
In 2017, Lee recorded his debut album Memorials under his indie label Stonequarry River Records. The record explores elements of country blues, dirty 30’s, and traditional folk music.
Lee earned a spot to represent The Bruce County Blues Society at the 2020 International Blues Challenge (IBC) in Memphis, Tennessee where he played his way into the semifinals.
With the momentum of IBC at his back, Lee released his E.P. Ad Nauseam Blues and booked shows at regional blues festivals in Kincardine, Paisley, Windsor and Orangeville. Then….Covid! !@?*&! Like most artists, Lee took a hit during Covid. Although the gigs dwindled, he continued to press on. In 2021, Lee released Hitchcock Sequel, which has received high praise from music critics and perfect strangers. He was nominated for Best Blues Act at the 2021 Forest City London Music Awards and was also invited to be the focal character of a documentary The Great Silence that aims to tell a musician’s story during a global pandemic.
