JIMMIE LEE presents: “Back 2 the Basics” A native of New Orleans, currently living in Dallas, Jimmie Lee Pierre has always been connected to music in some form or another. Born to parents who on a typical Friday night believed in blasting the likes of Stevie Wonder, Sam Cooke, Marvin Gaye, and many other noted artists, Jimmie Lee, as he was fittingly referred to, embodied the energy, passion, and excitement of these legendary artists. After hearing his uncle play clarinet at eight years old, Jimmie Lee was captivated not only with the sound of the instrument, but also the ability of his uncle to produce sound with the instrument (so much that the next year he was determined to play an instrument of his own, and experience what it would feel like to do so). When Jimmie Lee’s parents and other family members asked him “what instrument would you like to play”, not really knowing the range of instruments and not wanting to appear that he was copying his uncle, he replied “what instruments are available to choose from?” He had only seen a clarinet, and could not even imagine any other instrument, but for some reason when he heard the word “saxophone”, he instantly knew that was the instrument for him. In the same fashion, at a very young age, Jimmie Lee was invited by his cousin to attend Sunday school at a neighborhood church. Even at this tender age, he somehow knew that this was also where he belonged. Immediately, he started playing the saxophone at school and church, together with singing in the youth choir. Being somewhat of an outsider (or what is today referred to as a “nerd”), music was where Jimmie Lee felt accepted and fulfilled. This love of music only intensified as he grew older. In middle school and high school, he soared in music and joined a brass band increasing his knowledge of music to include jazz improvisation and traditional jazz music. Once Jimmie Lee reached adulthood, while the love for music never died, the reality of life overpowered the music he had come to love and that had become his sustenance. Jimmie Lee concentrated on school and was equally successful attaining both a B.A. in History, and a Juris Doctorate degree. However, none of these accolades could come close to the feeling he had when music controlled his life. After the horrific catastrophe of Hurricane Katrina, and embracing more and more of his faith, Jimmie Lee now realizes that his life is incomplete without music. “Back 2 the Basics” is a project that defines the meaning of embracing the core of who you are. It is also an attempt to get back to real music made from the soul. Truthfully, music has always been Jimmie Lee’s ministry. If this project connects with one person who makes a decision to live with more purpose and faith, then he feels he has done his part. If you are serious about what you feed your soul, and where you need to be in life, than this is the CD for you. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the sounds of conscious, spiritual, melodic music that will make you bob your head and think at the same time.