By Angela P. Moore

Once considered one of the country’s best kept secrets, Atlanta-based soprano saxophonist Dee Lucas has evolved and catapulted on the jazz scene. After launching his well-received 2004 debut CD, Remembrance, a tribute to legendary saxophonist George Howard, Lucas has been greeted both nationally and internationally with stunning reviews, garnered extensive airplay, and consistently climbed the charts. Lucas has developed and polished his distinctive style by collaborating urban funk sounds to smooth infectious melodic tunes, thus branding his timeless sound in the Smooth Jazz market.

A writer, producer, arranger and performer, Lucas’ career was birthed by blowing his horn on Atlanta’s jazz circuit and since then his passion with the saxophone has landed him in some of the country’s hottest jazz festivals, corporate gigs, celebrity birthday parties and well-recognized spots across the country. One of the performances that he’s most proud of is the famous Blue Note Jazz Club in New York City. Lucas has played alongside some of the finest contemporary jazz greats such as: Kirk Whalum, Gerald Veasley, Boney James, Phil Perry, Chris Botti, Warren Hill, Nancy Wilson, Abbey Lincoln, Bobbi Humphrey, Ramsey Lewis, Ronny Jordan, Greg Karukas, Peter White, Gerald Albright, and the list go on. Lucas has opened for such artists as: Roy Ayers, Michael Franks, The Gap Band, Lalah Hathaway, Hugh Masakela and 5-time Grammy nominee Nneena Freelon.

Born and raised in Tanner, Alabama, Lucas graduated from the University of North Alabama in 1985 with a dual major in Marketing and Computer Information Systems. As a child growing up he always loved music and many genres of music often played in his family’s home. Year after year, he yearned to play the saxophone but due to his family’s tight budget he pursued sports. “I always dreamed of being a musician but due to the nature of my environment, peer pressure and financial constraints, decisions had to be made and athletics was the choice of activity,” says Lucas. Lucas would also visit local jazz clubs to get a feel of the musical pulse. “Listening to some of the talented sax players around the city was education enough to build a thirst and go home and mimic what they did,” says Lucas. “With the combination of listening to a plethora of music on CD while going to see local cats like Darien Emory, Antonio Allen, Sam Skelton, Jimmy Brown (Brick), and trumpeter Melvin Miller, that was truly enough to develop a personal vote of confidence.”Adding consistency to his young but surprising start, Lucas released his sophomore CD, “Something to Ride 2”, which received heavy rotation in many smooth jazz markets with the Herbie Hancock classic Chameleon, which peaked at #10 on the Smoothjazz.com “Top 50 Indie Charts”.

His recently released CD, Standing Room Only, composed and produced by several talented producers including Grammy award-winner Phil Davis is climbing the charts and receiving international radio promotion. With songs such as the title track Standing Room Only, Tiffany’s World and Keep Knocking, this nine song, smooth sounding compilation has received airplay from numerous internet, and satellite radio stations worldwide. Standing Room Only is the current single and title from his latest CD and was produced by bassist Lee Hurst.

With his profound sense of style and technique, and his love of life, Dee Lucas plans to be around for a while. Lucas’ music is like a bottle of fine wine. It just keeps getting better with time.