Reviews

"The audience enthusiastically received the performance and gave him a rousing ovation. His main reason for playing the ukulele? “It makes people smile,” said Lee, which is exactly what it did."
              
               - Will Gibney The Bates Student: March 23, 2010

The very talented Aaron Lee performed his Ukulele Show for a packed house at Salon Night at The Red Door Pottery Studio this past February.  As soon as he walked on the “stage” his height and rich baritone voice, in stark contrast to the diminutive instrument he plays with loving familiarity, adds immediate atmosphere to the fun and whimsy of the songs that he has written.

The appreciative audience laughed, sang and even danced as Aaron proceeded through his repertoire of original tunes (which require that the word “ukulele” appears in each song at some point).

It is a great evening’s entertainment. Aaron’s CD is often played at our studio to lighten the mood after a long day at work.

                - Elaine Xenelis Fuller, Owner of The Red Door Pottery Studio - Kittery, ME

Biography

Ukulele Player and Songwriter Aaron Lee is touring to support the release of his new album titled The Ukulele Project, which includes 14 original tracks that all creatively and intentionally feature the word ‘ukulele’ somewhere in the lyrics. In the studio, Aaron is joined by the talents of Jeff Bartolini on acoustic bass and Jeff Marion on Piano and Organ. He currently performs both as a solo act and with his trio.

Aaron stumbled across a ukulele in his parents’ basement and was quickly drawn to it for it’s unique sound and portability.  As it happens to be the perfect size to strap on a backpack or a bicycle, the ukulele was always there when creativity struck, and Aaron began writing and performing ukulele songs.  After several favorable reviews, he decided that this unique collection of songs deserved to be heard by a wider audience, and began work on recording the album.

The Ukulele Project takes us on a journey, stopping everywhere from the Androscoggin River in Maine, to the Andes Mountains in South America and everywhere in between.  Aaron introduces Kaylee Ukulele, who likes to “sit between the dunes and play her ukulele”, proclaims that Arkansas should be known as “the ukulele state” and lets us know what happens if you break his ukulele.  We are invited to begin our day by waking up with a ukulele, dance a ukulele waltz, and finish our day with a ukulele lullaby.  The record is guaranteed to make you laugh and will leave you with a smile on your face and a ukulele song in your head.

Mission

Mission Statement


I will provide an uplifting community experience by performing ukulele music and travelling between concerts by bicycle.

Why a concert tour by bicycle?

I am interested in practicing a simple and sustainable lifestyle, while spending my days engaged in two activities that I love, bicycling and music.  I would like to provide a fun evening where people come together through music to support their community.  I want to demonstrate that it is possible to do a concert tour without an automobile.

Goals

1.   People will come together for a positive community event.

2.   To raise awareness for an organization that supports the local community. 

Downloads

Bicycle Tour Cover Letter

Bicycle Tour Fact Sheet

Details

What I Bring

1.   A one hour (or longer) ukulele concert

2.   I will arrive and depart by bicycle, carrying everything I need.

3.   Split a donation bucket with a local organization.

What I Need

1.   A place to pitch a tent (or other sleeping arrangement)

2.   A performance location.  Anything from a living room to a coffee shop to a community space.

3.   An audience.

Venue - Venues can be anything from a living room to coffee shop or community space, but they should be set up to encourage the audience to be focused on the show.  The ideal venue will hold anywhere from 20-40 people.

The Show – The flow of the evening can be arranged to suit your needs.  A standard show is two 30-45 minute sets with a 30-minute break for coffee, dessert and socializing.  Other ideas include a potluck dinner or having a local musician, author or artist perform with me.

Partnering Organization – One of the goals of this tour is to raise awareness for local organizations that support their community.  I am interested in partnering with any organization that works locally including those that do work in community building, sustainability, youth development, environmental action or eating locally.  Any organization will make a great partner as long as they are working in the local community.  If you want to host a show and don’t have a partnering organization, I can work with that as well.

Donations – A donation bucket will be passed around the room for voluntary donations.  Proceeds will be split between the local organization and myself.  This will help finance the cost of my tour and also raise money and awareness for the partnering organization.

The Bicycle Tour – I will be touring from show to show and carrying everything that I need on my bicycle.  On an average day I will ride about 60 miles but will probably end up ranging between 20 and 80 miles.  I would like to do around 4 -5 shows a week.  I am planning on camping out, but always appreciate a bed.