BIOGRAPHY

Eric Lee is widely known in the Hawaiian music industry for his creative musical arrangements and desire to perpetuate the Hawaiian language.  Eric’s lifelong love affair with music began at the age of 9 and grew as he ventured through instruments like ‘ukulele, piano, guitar, and electric & upright bass.  He studied choral music and theory at Kamehameha Schools and later at the University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa. 

After winning the 1993 Ka Hīmeni ‘Ana competition, Eric Lee recorded his first CD with The Kanile‘a Collection.  That recording included Eric’s first published Hawaiian composition, “Nā Nalu Ha‘i O Mā‘ili”, in which he was able to jam with one of his guitar inspirations; the legendary Peter Moon.  The Kanile‘a Collection travelled throughout Hawai‘i and Japan, playing for hālau at various hula competitions including the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, and opening concerts for Robi Kahakalau and Hapa. 

In 1998, Eric and Brian Mersberg formed as Nā Kama, and over the next ten years released four albums; “Ke Ala Hou” (1998), “Come and See….Hawai‘i” (2003), and the Nā Hōkū Hanohano award winning albums “Kamakolu” (2007), and “E Ola Ke Ali‘i: The Nā Kama Christmas Collection – Volume 1” (2008).    Throughout his journey with Nā Kama, Eric guided the band, remaining steadfast to the group’s mission of excellence in Hawaiian music entertainment and language perpetuation.  Eric was also a member of the popular island music group, The Ka‘ala Boys, releasing three studio CDs, a Christmas single, and a greatest hits CD.

As a full-time solo artist, Eric continues to compose and produce music for his own projects as well as for others.  In June of 2007, Eric released his first solo single, “Camp Lē‘ahi”, a song he composed for the summer program he worked at as music teacher.  Eric also recorded a Japanese version of this song, catering to the students who attended the program in the latter part of the summer.  The single received great acclaim from the parents, students, and staff at Camp Lē‘ahi.

October 2009 brought the release of his debut album CD “Crossroads”.   With its blend of traditional Hawaiian and contemporary music, “Crossroads” provided Eric with an opportunity to showcase his musical versatility and the influence rock, country, blues, folk and jazz music have had on him over the years.  While Lee performed all vocals and most of the instrumentation on “Crossroads”,  several guest musicians were featured as well, including John Koko of the Mākaha Sons on upright acoustic bass, Bruce Shimabukuro on ‘ukulele, and Kit Ebersbach on piano.  As a result of the success of “Crossroads”, Eric received the 2010 Hawai‘i Music Award for Contemporary Hawaiian CD. 

Eric toured extensively in 2010, playing concerts and festivals in California, Nevada, Hawai‘i, and Japan, including Las Vegas’s Lei Day Festival, the 20th Annual Prince Kūhiō Ho‘olaule‘a, and Osaka’s 2010 Hula Picnic.  He also produced and appeared on Hailama Farden’s “Hawaiian Cowboy - A Tribute to Uncle Sol K. Bright”, which featured the classic tracks “Sophisticated Hula” and “Hawaiian Cowboy”.

To thank the fans and radio stations that supported him through his burgeoning solo career, Lee released “Hallelujah/Thunder Road” in March, 2011.  Hallelujah, the classic song originally written and composed by Leonard Cohen, featured Lee on lead vocals and acoustic guitar and Peter Milo on backing vocals.  It was released in response to the request of fans who heard him perform it at his many shows in Waikīkī and on tour.  Thunder Road, an up-tempo rock instrumental with a country feel, was composed by Lee during one of his tours of the West Coast of the U.S.

Eric is currently completing a rock collaboration with fellow artist Peter Milo, and begins work on his sophomore solo release Summer, 2011.

More information on Eric Lee, including his complete discography and calendar of upcoming performances, as well as samples of his all of his solo work, can be found on his website, www.ericleehawaii.com, and the Eric Lee Music page on Facebook; www.facebook.com/ericleehawaiimusic.