Jazz @ The Gantt: Lee Odom Quartet

Jazz music stirs and soothes the soul. Wrap up the week by seeing world class musicians with a monthly jazz series, Jazz @ the Gantt, produced by Ocie Davis. The fourth of a monthly series, this performance showcases Lee Odom Quartet.

This series presents modern jazz musicians from New York City, where the history of the music runs deep. Season 1, entitled To Be Young Gifted and Black, features current and rising Black American musicians who are the torch bearers of this great American art form. Entertaining and insightful, this series showcases invaluable contributions Black people continue to make to the cultural fabric of America and worldwide.

Shake off the stress of the week and come to the Gantt to unwind and enjoy live music in an exclusive and elegant setting.

Performance Times

• Thursday, December 29
  6 pm & 8:30 pm

Currently residing in Harlem, "Sweet" Lee Odom has been playing clarinet for years, along with other woodwind instruments, including flute and bass clarinet. A native of Newton, North Carolina, Odom states: "As far back as I can remember, music was a part of my life. I was able to spend a lot of time with my grandparents, who were in a gospel singing group, so as far as I can remember, I would go to the rehearsals with them... I was with them on many of their concerts."

Odom studied clarinet in middle and high school and received a B.A. from Appalachian State University, where she studied classical clarinet repertoire and broadened her education in the music industry. In college she also began playing jazz standards.

After college, Odom moved to New York City, worked at Sam Ash music and quickly connected with influential musicians, including world-renowned clarinetist, Don Byron. She also connected with JD Parren, with whom she would study and joined his clarinet ensemble "Dance Clarinets" – her first time playing with an all-clarinet ensemble.

Odom started becoming more well-known in NYC jazz clubs and restaurants that offered live music like Paris Blues, where she honed her skills in improv. Odom stated: "At the time I only had a clarinet, but still gave improv a shot. It was def an eye-opening experience as what I thought I knew about music was nothing compared to what I was hearing."

Odom began playing and thriving with the saxophone. The Sweet Lee Trio (clarinet/woodwind, piano, drums) was created from her time at Paris Blues, and after a few years added a bassist to become a quartet. She continued to expand musically, especially with free improv. She played with groups like the Matt Lavelle 12 Houses Ensemble, Karl Berger, Gato Baberi, and more. She was awarded several scholarships to attend the Creative Music Workshop with Karl Berger, where she was exposed to some of the greatest musicians in the world. Odom stated, "Those workshops really helped me open up as a performer and to not be afraid of my instrument."

Odom has become a sought-after musician in New York City and the "Sweet Lee" Music brand is thriving. She has played in churches, selected to perform with "Antigone of Ferguson" (in honor of Michael Brown) in front of 10,000 people, and with a big band in Boston called the "Makanda Project," playing music of Ken "Makanda" McKyntyre. She also played with Denardo Coleman (Ornette Coleman's son) and many more.

John Coltrane, Thomas Chapin, Jackie McLean, Eric Dolphy, Katherine Sakora, Don Byron, and John Carter are major influencers for her musical style. The New York Times has described her playing as "prayerful and ever searching."

See more about "Sweet" Lee Odom, including performances, at sweetleemusic.com.