I finally got to meet one of the most talked about musicians in Los Angeles: Sonia Lee. She performed at the Hotel Café in Hollywood (Just south of Hollywood Blvd on Cahuenga - this little jewel is the home to some of the world’s most delectable artists, more of whom I will cover in the following issues.) My first time actually hearing her perform was when she appeared at a local club awhile back. I fell in love with her enthralling performance and have been a fan of hers ever since.
 Like many other gifted artists, Sonia is fluent in a wide range of musical genres. Her passionate violin playing has been heard with leading symphony orchestras and jazz musicians throughout North America. This young jazz violinist/singer exudes an unpretentious sophistication. Her friendly stage persona and well-chosen song sets are perfect for intimate club settings as well as large performance venues. She combines the precision of her classical training with the improvisational character of jazz. The result is a mellow yet intricate style that is exhilaratingly romantic.
Sonia’s professional music career began when she was very young growing up in Canada and Buffalo. Her debut performance - when she was only a teenager - was at the Carnegie Hall on her solo concerto with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.
Sonia attended one of the most prestigious music schools in North America, Juilliard, when she was only 15 years old, then went on to tour all over Europe, including the Evian Festival in France and Germany.
After that, Sonia joined the Toronto Symphony Orchestra as their youngest principal violinist at the age of 23 under the guidance of it’s director, Jukka Pekka Saraste. Sonia’s impressive resume includes performances and appearances with many notable artists including Don Henley, Joni Mitchell, Rod Stewart, Diana Ross, Holly Cole, Harry Connick Jr, Three Dog Night, Chantal Kreviazuk, Josh Groban, Peter Cetera, Johnny Mathis, Wayne Newton, and Regis Philbin just to name a few.
In 1998, Sonia released her first record entitled “Buzz” and it featured her impressive electric violin and singing skills. Her second CD, “Sweet,” was released in 2004 featuring the Bob Mervak Trio.
Sonia continues her journey of becoming a new icon in jazz violin, and has received many awards, including the BravoFACT. She was able to add her own music video on Bravo TV and also model for NOKIA.
FAME’US: Can you give us a brief introduction about yourself.
SONIA: My name is Sonia Lee. I was born in Pusan, Korea and moved to Canada and the United States at two months old. My parents were immigrants. My father is a general surgeon and had always listened to classical music. At an early age I was exposed to violin music from my parents. Then I officially started lessons at around age 3. I fell in love with music since my family listened to music all the time. When I was around 10, I knew that I wanted to pursue music as a profession- that is when I discovered Juilliard and had my heart set on going there.
FAME’US: Give us a little background - where did you grow up and what made you fall in love with music and performing?
SONIA: I fell in love with performing after my first recital which was at age 6. I remember putting on a recital dress and after the concert, my parents got me ice cream and said that I did a great job. Then I started to perform often and after being at Juilliard as a teenager, performing became second nature.
FAME’US: What is it like being from Michigan?
SONIA: It is wonderful being from Michigan although I did grow up in Canada and also in Buffalo, which was cold!
FAME’US: Who were some artists that inspired you along the way?
SONIA: I loved listening to Yo Yo Ma, and meeting Leonard Bernstein was the turning point in my life - I met him at a fellowship with the Boston Symphony and he told me to follow my dreams, which led me to pursue music over medicine (which is what my parents had hoped for me to pursue initially). Also, performing with Chantal Kreviazuk is amazing- she is a dear friend and colleague who is a brilliant singer/songwriter whom I respect immensely! Chantal and I met in Canada when I was principal violinist with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra.
FAME’US: We know how Korean parents can get. Has your family been supportive of your goals and dreams?
SONIA: After I got into Juilliard my parents quickly realized that I had talent so after that point at age 14, they completely supported my decision to pursue music. But I also had to prove to them that I could make it as a professional. That is why I decided to audition for the Toronto Symphony, which I became a member of when I was 21 years old. But while I was in the orchestra, I soon realized that I wanted to also write my own music and perform on electric violin. So I made some recordings and CDs that led me to perform with Harry Connick Jr., The Three Tenors, Joni Mitchell, Chantal Krevaizuk, Josh Groban, Don Henley, Rod Stewart, Brian Wilson, Diana Ross, and many more popular artists.
FAME’US: I personally saw you perform at The Hotel Cafe recently and you were simply great. How often do you perform there?
SONIA: The Hotel Cafe concerts were in support of Chantal Kreviazuk for her album GHOST STORIES and also her husband Raine Maida (former lead singer with OUR LADY PEACE) for his new solo project. We only performed there the last two weeks. I do often perform in concerts around the US and Canada with other artists too.
FAME’US: Where can we see more of Sonia? Next CD? Your next plan to perform for our community?
SONIA: You can see my performances on Youtube- www.youtube.com/sonialee and also hear my music on www.myspace.com/sonialeemusic Website: www.sonialeemusic.com Enjoy!
FAME’US: Well, we thank you for your time, and we wish you great success!
SONIA: Thank you so much! It was an honor and pleasure to meet you all at the show last week at the Hotel Cafe and hope to see you again soon! All the best wishes, Sonia Lee.
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