Growing up in Alberta as the daughter of a classically-trained mother and a Trinidadian, quarto-playing, calypso-singin' father, Monica's sphere of musical influence was as broad as it was unique. Her father's love for music and entertaining blessed the home with never-ending beats from the quatro or alto Ukulele, or from shaking the house with his rhythm foot and routinely making up songs about friends and guests. This passion for music rubbed off on his children and Monica was given the opportunity to play several instruments throughout her childhood including, clarinet, bass clarinet, flute, trumpet, piano, guitar, cello, viola and anything else she could get her hands on.

 

To continue her musical education, Monica enrolled in the Vancouver Community College in 2000 to study Jazz voice, Viola and Piano in the reputable music department. Monica completed two tours during her time at VCC, including singing in a

Canada Council-funded project entitled the "Song Bird Oratorio" that traveled to Arizona and throughout the west coast of the US with the Hip Hop Opera Freight Train Land.

 

A participant in the local Vancouver cultural community for over 8 years, Monica Lee has made a name for herself as a vibrant live performer and a diverse and engaging studio musician. Monica's experience includes hosting hundreds of musical and poetry events, organizing several original music showcase events including Random Acts of Kindness and The Song Slam, recording back-up vocals on Alpha Ya Ya Dialo's Juno Award winning album The Message, and performing viola in the Dixie Chicks' on-stage video as part of their 2000 world tour.

 

Over the years, Monica has collaborated with many local musicians and holds a regular gig on Vancouver's Commercial Drive at the Libra Room with her bandmates Jesse Waldman and Marc L'Espérance.  A multi-instrumentalist, Monica expresses herself on the piano, guitar and viola, as well as through her voice, compositions and recordings for radio, film & television. Her live sets continue to be energetic, inspiring and intimate. The tight drumming, driving indie rock guitar, lush piano and haunting vocals deliver soulful melodies that continue to mesmerize sold-out crowds big and small.

 

Three songs off the Season's Greetings EP, "Anticipation", "Fall Away" and "Judy Lea" are featured in 'A Safer Sex Trade'. Directed by Carolyn Allain, this documentary film about the Vancouver sex trade was produced for CBC Newsworld's The Lens and the APTN Network.  Monica also composed the original score for the remainder of the film.

 

 

 

 

 

The making of Monica Lee

1 cup Carole King

2 Tbs of Phoebe Snow

1 lb. of Canadian Top Soil

3 tsp of Carly Simon

13 years of calypso lullabies

4 cups of Wonder

3 cups determination

8 lb. 14 oz of talent at birth

 

 

 

Add spices, vices and musical devices.  

Mix into the Canadian Market.

Bake under the hot summer sun.