Testimonials

Uno Chicago Grill 
Est. 1943
11 South Bridge Drive – Agawam, MA 01001 – (413) 789-1500 FAX – (413) 789-4910

It has been a long, wonderful experience…how can I possibly capture the relationship I’ve had with Ethel Lee.

She has been entertaining thousands of my guests for over twenty years! I tried to leave the Ethel Lee Ensemble out of the lineup for one month many years ago (purely for economic reasons), and the sheer volume of e-mails, phone calls and letters from the fans requesting her return made me quickly reconsider!

Professionally, I haven’t worked with a better vocalist in the over twenty years I’ve been providing music in Western Massachusetts. Her talent is beyond compare, and her ability to always play to the crowd never ceases to amaze.

Personally, there is no finer human being on the planet. Ethel doesn’t just think about the folks pouring in to listen to her. She takes into account the sometimes-difficult tasks my servers, bartenders and managers do during her shows. Always thanking them (often with baked goods) and cognizant, always, of what they are going through to do their jobs.

Finally, Ethel’s sense of loyalty, love of family and respect for all has made our partnership far more than business. I consider Ethel a dear friend, and couldn’t imagine my life without her in it!

I am grateful, year after year, that Ethel Lee continues to bring such wonderful music, so many smiles, and such joy to all those who come to hear her sing

Michael Hurwitz
Unos Summer Courtyard
Uno Pizzeria & Grill
www.unos.com

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She sings, she swings!

When Ethel sings, she gives you a glimpse into who she is.

You hear warmth, honesty, passion, caring, and always giving person, and her gratitude for her many blessings. She is constantly sharing with her audiences her enthusiasm for life and her chance to give you joy. Ethel is always real and she expresses her love of music through her voice.

Ethel Lee is a treasure to all who know her!!!!

Dave Sporny, Professor Emeritus; University of Massachusetts; Trombonist; Educator; Conductor; Clinician; Arranger;
Musical Director, Amherst Jazz Orchestra

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After playing music with Ethel Lee for many years now, I have come to realize how good she is at a number of things. Besides having a voice that draws you in for a great listening experience, she has a natural ability to make an audience feel welcome and at ease. Her ability to sing different styles of music and make each style sound authentic and believable is one of her great assets. It’s one of the things that keep her audience coming back for more. The ease with which she entertains any audience no matter the size, is something not everyone can do, but to Ethel it seems to come naturally, and it seems to be something she was born to do.

Ralph Whittle – keyboard

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I have had the pleasure of knowing Ethel Lee for many years, first as a fan, and then as an accompanist. I first saw her perform at a small club on a second floor in Westfield, MA. I remember in particular a rendition of “Summertime” and the fine musicians she had assembled for the show. As an accompanist, I have been struck by her wonderful sense of pitch. I remember once a particular request by a bride, for a wedding that Ethel and I had been asked to play for, we were working out the melody line. Ethel, or Ms. Lee as I like to call her, sang the line out first and then I played it on the organ and was struck by how spot on her pitch had been. Looking forward to hearing Ms. Lee and her band again sometime soon.

Tom Coburn, publisher, managing editor, West Springfield Record,
Piano player and organist
wsrecord@comcast.net

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There’s Only One-Ethel Lee. I have been honored to perform on keyboard with Ethel since the early 1990’s. Like the finest wine, she just gets better every year, as impossible as that may seem. I’d like to start by speaking of Ethel, the humanitarian, wife, mother, grandmother, sister to my wife and me. We have never shed a cross word or had a gig that didn’t thrill us. When you’re Ethel’s friend, you have a treasured gift. If you are fortunate enough to enjoy Ethel’s great talent, you, too, are lucky and know exactly what I mean. Ethel doesn’t perform for herself, as musicians have been known to do. Rather, her whole being is committed to pleasing her countless fans. She will stop at nothing to find and learn a special request. She knows her fans by name, she knows their families, and she treats each fan as if they were the most special person as if she’s singing just to them. How often do you hear of a restaurant venue wanting your band performing for two decades? How often does that band fill a restaurant two decades later? That’s what The Ethel Lee Ensemble does! Speaking as a lucky keyboard accompanist for Ethel, I have constantly learned to grow musically and work in tandem for so many performances with Ethel. In fact, I perform more with Ethel than I do with anyone. Whether we’re performing for hundreds in Connecticut, or a small group in Boston or Framingham or Fitchburg, Ethel gives 100% plus to that audience. Ethel also knows how to make the performers with her always feel special and appreciated. Ethel is loved by all the musicians that play with and for her. She has the uncanny sense to know which musicians would fill the bill for any job. I am honored to have created an incredible CD for Ethel and I look forward to more. In conclusion, if I sound like I’m giddy with praise for this very special person in our lives, it’s because I am. I wish you all the joy of experiencing one of Massachusetts greatest performers-Ethel Lee

Richard Mitnick, Keyboardist, Arranger
richardmitnickmusic.com

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A Word About Ethel Lee, One of my Favorite People

I have had the extreme pleasure of knowing and playing bass with vocalist Ethel Lee for well over 15 years. This has been in numerous settings from private parties, public concerts-in-the-park, to our long-standing Sunday evening performance at UNO’s Chicago Bar and Grill in Springfield, MA.

What I and her audiences enjoy so much, is her depth and breadth across many musical styles, from Rhythm-and-Blues to Jazz and from Soul to Motown. Her repertoire is vast, consisting of hundreds and hundreds of songs. She is extremely adept and presenting all these styles in an engaging, musical and authentic way. She excels at keeping her audiences entertained and in doing so, has developed a very loyal following, whom I have witnessed traveling many miles to enjoy her performances.

In working with Ethel, I have also grown close to her, collaborating musically with her in helping with arrangements or preparing pieces for special events for her friends and family. She does this tirelessly, and unselfishly, constantly giving back to her appreciative fans, many of whom have become good friends.

Ethel is an extremely warm person who ‘pays it forward’ in abundance, both in her music and in her own generosity, as she is always celebrating her fans and going the extra mile, meaning cards, balloons, cakes and hugs. Her positive spirit, engaging charm and wonderful musical stylings have earned her a place in many people’s hearts, including mine. It is no wonder she is one of the most sought-after and busiest singers in the area, hands down.

Steven Bulmer
Bassist/Arranger/Producer
Bass Instructor, Hartt Community Division
Secretary, Hartford Jazz Society
Bassist/President New England Jazz Ensemble

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Playing music with Mrs. Lee over the course of almost 30 years, I have witnessed that it has always been a happy place for musicians and audiences alike. Mrs. Lee’s compassion for her fellow musicians and the audiences is evidenced in the depth of support received in her performances from the audiences and a large rank of musicians who welcome the call to participate with her on the stage. The respect that Mrs. Lee gives to one and all is even more emphasized with the knowledge of the hurtles she has experienced and overcome. Raised in the segregated south, graduating from Alabama A. & M. University, and becoming the first African American and woman police officer in West Springfield, MA. From walking a beat to becoming a DARE officer, and enjoying the adulation of the children with whom she interacted (many, now adults, come to her performances to say hello). All can and should extol the music we have made together, but my respect far surpasses that. I am grateful that I have had the opportunity to memorialize this sentiment.

Mark Barowsky, saxophonist

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