Lionel Young: The Gift of Jazz

BLUES PAGES

Lionel Young

by Dan Landes

Listening to Lionel Young cut deep across his amped-up fiddle is like a wake up call to pay attention because the man drawing the bow is on fire. He's the man who wields a fiddle in many different facets. One night the front man for a trio singing some true home blues at City Spirit Cafe, the next clad in a black tie performing classical music with the Chamber Orchestra West.
Lionel knows the violin well. He started playing at age six and continued to study throughout his life at some of the finest music institutions in the country. Although his training has much of its emphasis on classical music, a muse by the name of Jimi Hendrix influenced a young Lionel into transforming a traditional violin into an apparition that bends and wails notes on a scale into soul piercing blues. Lionel's ability to play music, all kinds of music, is what is most impressive. On a typical week in December you'll find him sitting in with tenor saxophonist Homer Brown, doing a gig with the Zukes of Zydeco, recording tracks with Sweet Water Well, seated with the Chamber Orchestra West, then heading up his own free-style jam sessions at the Skyline Lounge.
Free-style jams are where Lionel shines. With such a firm grasp of

sound principles, musical forms, and the good grace of very talented musicians backing him up, such as the smooth Eric Robnet on percussion or Chris Harris keeping it funky on bass, Lionel is able to let loose the music and let sounds flow free like fractals. Lyrically, Lionel finds modern life provides much to sing the blues about: the uncertain travels of a young soul through these modern times, finding solace in cycles, brown clouds over Denver and the pain and joy of giving and receiving. Denver provides many things for Lionel, a large array of talented musicians to play with, enthusiastic crowds, and a central location from which to tour. Denver's Westword magazine voted one of Lionel's bands The Last Fair Deal as the best blues band in Denver.
Denver is lucky to have the dynamic Lionel Young. He is fresh and extraordinarily talented. Full of courage and the energy to transform brown skies to blues. If you haven't seen Lionel Young he's the one with the braids, the smile and the fiddle that hits your heart like caffeine. Keep your eye out for him. He's out there playing hard.

(Dan Landes lives in Denver)