• About Me

    I help recording artists, composers, and filmmakers produce meaningful music.

    I strive to approach every project with a producer’s mindset. The producer is responsible for the the success or failure of a project. A producer must have a clear vision for the project, find the right collaborators, and guide everyone involved to produce music that is truly meaningful and tells the right story.

     

    Whether I’m hired as a studio guitarist, music copyist, music director, composer, or producer I know that I’m playing specific role that serves the song, album, film, ad, or concert. But being exceptional at your craft is not enough. Even in a support role you have to think like a producer. You have to approach your work so that you make everyone else’s job easier to produce the best product possible.

     

    Contact:

    760.608.1737

    gary@garyleemusic.com

  • Notable Work

    (click on titles for more info)

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    Co-Producer

    I co-produced a collaboration project between jazz guitarist, Lee Ritenour, and Yamaha Music Foundation. Together Lee and I outlined 12 guitar lessons gleaned from his 50+ years experience as a professional guitarist. I then lead the 6 days of filming, supervised editing and post production.

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    Production Assistant

    This was a beautiful one-off concert featuring John Beasley's big band, Monk'estra and vocalist, Dee Dee Bridgewater at Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles. This concert was unique in that it involved syncing a live big band, video, and audio simultaneously. I was in charge of supervising Front of House and cueing video and live entrances throughout the show.

    House Band Guitarist

    I had the honor of performing in the house band with an amazingly talented young 9-year-old drummer, Milana. The producers also surprised her with a guest appearance and performance with her idol legendary drummer, Sheila E. Milana was featured on season 3 of the show.

    Assistant Music Director, Orchestrator, House Band Guitarist

    Duets on ABC was a singing competition reality show featuring Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Nettles, Robin Thicke, and John Legend. I was the assistant music director to John Beasley coordinating all aspects of the music department. Additionally, I was an orchestrator and a member of the house band for several episodes.

    Composer

    For this independently produced comedy web series I composed and recorded the theme song, trailer music, and episodic music for all 8 episodes.

    Production Manager

    I've worked on many projects and concerts with Lee Ritenour but this project was by far the most ambitious. I worked with Lee from inception to finished product. I coordinated the entire project, transcribed all the charts for the sessions, and helped edit and mix the record. This album was a celebration of the guitar and featured collaborations with 20 world renown guitarists – Lee Ritenour, Steve Lukather, George Benson, B.B. King, Jonny Lang, John Scofield, Pat Martino, Neal Schon, Slash, Joe Robinson, Robert Cray, Vince Gill, Taj Mahal, Keb' Mo', Andy Mckee, Joe Bonamassa, Guthrie Govan, Mike Stern, Tomoyasu Hotei, and Shon Boublil (winner of the 6ST competition).

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    Guitarist

    I performed with special guest country artist, Florida Georgia Line, on NBC's The Voice in support of their single, H.O.L.Y.

  • Testimonials

    Lee Ritenour

    Grammy award winning Jazz Guitarist/Recording Artist

    “Gary Lee is a multifaceted musician/guitarist that is the embodiment of the modern musician today. Not only extremely talented and versatile on acoustic and electric guitars, his production, arranging, coordinating, music editing, transcribing and music tech chops are evenly distributed from this outstanding musician. Gary has worked and collaborated with me for years in all those capacities and then some!

    E-Man Cervantes

    Drummer (Andy Grammer, Gwen Stefani, Cody Simpson)

    “I’m a drummer, and I think I have good time and feel, but Gary has always amazed me by his musicality and his feel and concept of what good time keeping is. Gary has better time than most drummers/musicians I know.”

    Melvin Lee Davis

    Bassist (Chaka Khan, Lee Ritenour, Robben Ford, George Duke)

    “Gary's acoustic guitar technique…well, what can I say! His execution of melody, harmony and rhythm has that spiritual connection to the soul. I have had the pleasure of working with him on Lee Ritenour & Chaka Khan projects, as well my own recording endeavors. He also has given me the pleasure of recording for him on various projects that he has worked on as well. “I hold these truths to be self evident” to quote a great scholar! That Gary Lee is special in every way. The way he plays his guitar speaks to the way he lives his life….with honesty and integrity! The positive energy flows my friend.”

    James Harrah

    Guitarist (Huey Lewis and the News, Madonna, Herbie Hancock)

    “I first met Gary working on the TV show “Duets” where we got to share guitar parts playing behind Jennifer Nettles, Robin Thicke, Kelly Clarkson and John Legend. This lead to giving, not really lessons to Gary but more a trading of ideas. Playing and talking about music and sharing my experiences with him. He is a terrific player and guy. Can play all the styles and writes and records his own wonderful compositions.”

    Ashley Bornancin

    TV/Film Actress (Spy Kids, Camp WWE, Broad City, Scandal)

    “Gary has been composing our TV series this year and we couldn’t be more impressed by his work, his immediate understanding of what we were thinking (even when we couldn’t put it to words), and his incredible professionalism. He rises to the occasion and truly works to deliver outstanding work. I am so impressed by the way he approaches and attacks deadlines, his ear for composition, and his quick and speedy delivery. He is also just an amazingly kind person to work with. If you are looking for the best of the best in the music industry, this is your guy. Thank you Gary, for everything, we are so lucky to work with you!”

    Bryan Taylor

    Drummer (Eric Hutchinson, Tommy Walker, The Walking Dead AMC)

    “Gary Lee is incredible! Whether he is sitting in the producer chair, arranger chair or the guitar chair, he makes you feel confident. His ability to blend professionalism, high-level musicianship and camaraderie is brilliant. I love working with Gary because you know you are going to get is full attention and heart on every project. His guitar skills match anyone in the industry, but it’s who Gary is that makes him irreplaceable on any session.”

    Brandon Shaw

    Bassist/Blogger (Startup Musician)

    “Gary Lee is a great musician and hands down the best acoustic guitar player I know. He brings a delicate touch to the instrument and makes it sing! Also, he’s a pretty great individual to work with. Don’t be dumb, you should hire Gary.”

    Ebiut Cervantes

    Audio Engineer (Cirque du Soleil, Mylie Cyrus, Saturday Night Live)

    “I have had the pleasure of working with Gary Lee on a few different projects. As a producer, he understands the multi-dimensional aspects of music production. He approaches projects with a wealth of musical knowledge, and a firm understanding of the technical needs”

    Teryn Ré

    Jazz Vocalist, Composer (Teryn Ré Big Band)

    “Gary Lee is one of the most prolific guitarists I know and have the privilege of working with. His ability to interpret my music and his sensitivity to what is happening in the moment is unparalleled! He continues to impress with not only his multi-faceted playing, but also with his songwriting. As a vocalist it is rare to find such a musician that is selfless, humble and a joy to work with on a regular basis.”

    Andrea Hammond

    Vocalist, Songwriter, Recording Artist

    “Gary speaks to and enhances the life of a song with his unique rhythmic disposition, tone, and innate naturalness of line and feel. He’s intricate and exact while his inherent musical choices have a natural, in the moment drive while encompassing a live producers perspective. I’ve had the privilege of sharing the studio and the stage with him and hope to for years to come.”

    Dave Brunelle

    Guitarist (JJ Lin, Kylan Road)

    “Gary Lee is my personal favorite solo acoustic guitar player. His technique and timbre are near perfect, but those elements do not define his music. Gary reaches deep inside his person producing soulful, heartfelt and honest music.”

    Lance Beckford

    Drummer, Percussionist, Educator

    “Gary is a versatile guitarist who takes each piece of music he plays seriously. That attention to detail helps him work in so many situations. I believe that his own teaching has contributed to his unique abilities as a performer.”

    Missi Hale

    Vocalist (Barbra Streisand, Glee, Amy Grant)

    “I hired Gary for a gig that I would have been lost without his mad skills!! He was able to chart the music for everyone (30 songs I believe) with not a lot of time to do so, which was a step I was not able to do on my own!! Not only that, he was professional, on time, sounded amazing, and was nice, which was very important!! Especially in this business. I can’t wait to work with him again!!!”

    Jun Nakagawa

    Producer of Musician’s Creativity Lab (Yamaha Music Foundation)

    "Gary is a tremendous guy to work with. He always goes above and beyond and gives more than what is expected. His preparation is detailed which helps us a lot with production. We will definitely ask to work with him again for future projects!"

  • Credits

    I’ve had the privilege of either performing, recording, and/or working behind the scenes with these great artists, companies, and organizations:

    Artists

    • Kelly Clarkson
    • Robin Thicke
    • John Legend
    • Jennifer Nettles
    • Florida Georgia Line
    • Lee Ritenour
    • John Beasley/Monk’estra
    • Alex Acuña
    • Annekei
    • Dave Grusin
    • Don Grusin
    • Melvin Lee Davis
    • Justo Almario
    • Chaka Khan
    • George Benson
    • Mike Stern
    • Guthrie Govan
    • Joe Bonamassa
    • John Scofield
    • Pat Martino
    • Patrice Rushen
    • Davis Gaines
    • Ethan Bortnick
    • Teryn Ré
    • Jen Oikawa
    • Lee Ritenour
    • Dave Grusin
    • James Taylor
    • Steve Lukather
    • Andy McKee
    • Adam Hawley
    • Ryan Skiles
    • The Bombshells
    • Tommy Walker

    Companies & Education

    • Thelonius Monk Institute
    • Crown of the Continent Guitar Foundation
    • National Guitar Workshop
    • Yamaha Music Foundation
    • Monster Music
    • Azusa Pacific University
    • Berklee College of Music
    • Concord Records
    • Blue Note Japan
    • Universal Music Group
    • The 6 String Theory International Guitar Competition
    • Yamaha Music Foundation

    T.V.

    • Little Big Shots/Steve Harvey (NBC)
    • We’re Not Friends (Web Series)
    • The Voice (NBC)
    • Sing Your Face Off (ABC)
    • Duets (ABC)
    • For Better Or For Worse (TLC)