tessa lee
singer.songwriter.flautist.teacher
Big Slow Beating Heart NEW SINGLE
OUT March 15th!
latest news
29th September 2023
2023 has really been all about this project: Stories Through Songs. My good friend and colleague, Alex Morse (Registered Music Therapist) and myself have been working with 8 women from East Devonport and surrounds, to write songs about the journey of parenting young children. Specifically, about the First 1000 Days of a child's life. The project was funded by the B4 Early Years Coalition, and made possible by the East Devonport Child and Family Learning Centre.
You'll find all 4 tracks available on Spotify (above!). We are all so proud of what we've acheived together!
19th March 2023
Totally stoked to announce that I'll be opening Wendy Matthews' Burnie show on Friday April 28th! Really looking forward to this one, not only as Wendy is one of Australia's greats, but also because playing in a theatre is always lush. Tickets are on sale now, grab yours now!
1st December 2022
Happy silly season everyone! Life just keeps moving on hey. A few beautiful things happening this month: I"ve been invited to play at the Mt Gnonom Twilight Christmas Market, which will be gorgeous (and free!) Thursday 22nd Dec.
AAAAAAND: (drum roll please!) Tessa Lee and The Cold Weather Band will be down on the riverbank on New Year's Eve in Devoport! Really pumped to play another set with these excellent blokes. See you there!
28th November 2022
Check out Channel 7's footage of the Verandah Music Festival this weekend just gone. Were you there?! We had the best time. Story starts at 8m37s.
15th November 2022
Verandah Music Festival in Evandale is coming up! Check out the amazing line up . This is one of Tassie's best festivals in my opinion: a totally home grown community event. www.verandahmusicfestival.com
12th September 2022
Very very excited to announce that my new single, 'Could It Be?' will be released on Friday 16th September.
Here's the link to pre-save it so it will pop into your feed on Friday: https://gyro.to/CouldItBe
I'll also be playing live on Friday at Junction Arts Festival in Launceston. What an honour to be a part of their incredible line-up! www.junctionartsfestival.com.au
2nd August 2022
Another special treat coming up: working with Kitty Martini and Amy Mather to create "The Martinis," a 60s style girl group, singing all the hits, accompanied by The Collection, with special guest Mike Lizotte.
Tickets through eventbrite! Can't wait to get sparkly!
1st August 2022
Embarrassinly often, life goes past so fast, I do forget to promote events I'm a part of. (Luckily I'm a musician not a promoter!) This party sold out! Working with a smashing array of talent (Kitty Martini, Brett Budgen, Nick Hart, Peter Waddle, Phil Pitcher, Bruce Innocent, Rhys Taylor (MC), Kate Von Rock (Von Rock Arts and Entertainment), Belle Stott (Fossick Event Management) was a TREAT. Jazz as it was always meant to be: in the club, a bit dirty, a bit naughty. FUN TIMES.
I don't often get to perform in East Devonport (the suburb I call home) so this is a bit special. And a line-up of great locals on this one. I'll be hanging out and listening with the family!
4pm - Tessa Lee
5pm - Dylan Boys
6pm - Jacob Boote
7pm - Delilah McGill
Wright St, East Devonport, Friday 15th October.
UPDATE: Due to inclement weather, this event has been postponed!
May 27th 2022
I'm excited to be supporting Colin Lillie on his TAS tour this June. Find me at Live@The Wharf, Clarendon Arms and the Paragon Theatre.
See Shows page for more details.
Wednesday 22nd March 2022
Massive "band camp" style weekend at the start of March. We drove and drove to Jed Pickett's "Rolling on the River" studios to start sessions for the new album. Really productive 3 days. Tracked and finished overdubs for 5 new tunes! Can't wait to release some more music... watch this space...
Thursday 11th November 2021
Big month coming up. Looking outside at the spring sun, you wouldn't think that the forecast is snow for the weekend. But yes. (Go Tasmania!) Rain, hail or snow, we'll be at the MOUNT ROLAND FOLK FESTIVAL this weekend! The event is sold out. Sorry if you missed it. Lots of other shows happening too!
I'll be talking on Radio Northern Tasmania on Friday afternoon (approx. 5.30pm) about all things Mount Roland... and ... THE RELEASE OF WARM ORANGE GLOW! Yes. Thursday 25th of November is when the new song comes out. Stay tuned for the link to pre-order it into your streaming services...
14th October 2021
Feeling really lucky to work with these two humans: Mike Lizotte (bass- the hand gestures) and Ian Howard (drums - the bearded one). Photo by Fraser Deeth on Ian Howard's phone. Mid-week, end of rehearsal, trying out the polaroid look for an upcoming video project. Gratitude in droves.
13th October 2021
There's a lot happening in the next couple of months. Check out my Shows page for all the details. And in the meantime, here's a poster or two for an event or two that I'll be at...
A Lee and Lizotte gig!! We've been a bit quiet recently, having spent lots of time rehearsing new original music, so this is where you'll get a sneak peak of the new stuff.
We'll be at The Hub (Providore Place) on Saturday 23rd October at 2pm. There's another awesome line-up of
12pm Jacob Boote
1.50pm Lee and Lizotte
4pm Swing is the Thing
5.45pm Cool Train
11th October 2021
Last week (school holidays - when it all gets done) we recorded two tracks in the most instagrammable studio. Here is a shot of the wonderful Pete Waddle (double bass) and extraordinary Bruce Innocent (drums) who both played on the tracks. I'm really pumped to release these once the final spit and polish has been added.
1st September 2021
It's official! Mike Lizotte and I will be joined by the ridiculously cool Ian Howard on drums for the Mt Roland Folk Festival. Due to COVID restrictions, the festival is smaller than usual so be very quick to get your tickets when they are released in the middle of this month. Check out all the details here.
31st August 2021
A lifetime of organising community arts events, playing saxophone, looking after our planet. Teresa Beck-Swindale's new book "Travels with my Suitcase" (and accompanying album) was launched last night. Another highlight of the year. I was so humbled to be asked to sing on this album, and be a part of the launch. My kids loved it too. (Thanks everyone for looking out for them!) Buy the book and CD here.
27th August 2021
I can't really put it into words. I had too much, much too much, fun last night. Viktor Zappner, jazz pianist/organiser/living treasure, humbled me by inviting me to perform with his swingtet. It's rare to get the chance to put my toes back into the jazz singer stillettoes, and I'm so glad I found that they still fit. Thanks Viktor. I hope we swing again.
26th July 2021
A huge thanks to the Devonport Jazz Festival for hosting Skit Scat Raggedy Cat at East Devonport Primary School last Friday! We had an absolute ball performing for the younger (and young-at-heart) audiences of the North West. There's some footage of our performance coming soon, as well as a few future shows to announce. Stay tuned...
And thankyou to Cafe Squire in East Devonport and all who came down for breakfast on Sunday. It was amazing to debut some of my new original tunes to such a supportive audience. New recordings coming soon as well.
SHOWS
15th March 2024
Tessa Lee and The Cold Weather Band - Forth Valley Blues Festival - Footy Oval, Forth TASMANIA - 5pm
20 April 2024
Tessa Lee and The Cold Weather Band - The Royal Oak Hotel, Launceston - support by Teresa Dixon