TradJazzAlberta

Dear friends,

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved Rollanda Lee. Rollanda was a remarkable woman who leaves a lasting and profound impact on the Edmonton music scene. 

I was first introduced to Rollanda though one of my friends and mentors, George Hayden. George was a well known dixieland clarinetist, band teacher, and band leader in Edmonton, leading the internationally renowned New Orleans Connections. I was a young and aspiring Dixieland musician and had the good fortune to have a house gig with George, playing on Bourbon Street of West Edmonton Mall every Saturday in the early 2000s. One day, George said to me, “I’ve given your name to Rollanda Lee. She’s one hell of singer and she needs a trumpeter for a gig. If she calls you, you should take the gig. One day, you’ll forgive me.” Like Rollanda, George had a dry sense of humor, and was always trying to get a laugh. Of course, I knew about Rollanda, but only by reputation. I knew she played with Tommy Banks, PJ Perry, Bobby Cairns, and the other heavies on the scene, and that she was Klondike Kate for the City.

Well, Rollanda called me a short time later and asked if I was free for a gig because her regular trumpeter, Calgary music legend, Al Muirhead, was busy. “Al is my regular guy, and I only play with the best musicians. I heard you are good, and I need someone to fill some big shoes for a gig.” Now, I was pretty nervous before this gig. Rollanda had a reputation for being highly professional and demanding. When I arrived for soundcheck, I remember her telling me that my shoes were “terrible” and she gave me a sideways look that didn’t inspire any confidence. Despite this rough first impression, the gig went smoothly, and Rollanda gave an amazing musical performance with her great band, the Canadian Hot Stars.  Afterwards, she was nothing but complementary to me, and I told her how grateful I was for the opportunity to get to perform with her. 

A few months later, she call me again to fill in for Al, “And please wear some nice polished shoes.” Getting a call back for a gig is like winning an important audition, and I made sure my shoes looked good. This began my relationship with Rollanda, as the alternate trumpeter for her band. It was only three to four gigs a year, but I was grateful that Al Muirhead was so busy because getting to play witb Rollanda was like going to music school. The band was outstanding, and Rollanda was such a brilliant singer and leader, and she had the audience laughing at her outrageous jokes and quippy one-liners, and I was laughing right along with them. There was nothing scripted or fake about her – she sang and spoke from the heart, and her comedic timing was impeccable. It was always a joy to share the stage with her.

Over the years, I got to know Rollanda quite a bit better and became her regular trumpeter for her local gigs. She was a strident advocate for the arts and supporter of her fellow musicians. As the president of the Dixieland Jazz Society of Alberta, she was very proud that the society sponsored young musicians with substantive scholarships, and helped sponsor the Edmonton International Jazz Festival. She was also one of the most devoted patrons of music I have ever met, and I was always seeing her at concerts and gigs around the city. 

Over the next few weeks, the tributes to Rollanda will be flooding in and you can learn more about her history and legacy. She is someone that Edmontonians can proudly call one of their own, and she had a large impact on the local music scene that will endure for many years. For me, Rollanda was Edmonton’s Grand Lady of Jazz, and I consider her one of my most important mentors and role models, along with George Hayden and Tommy Banks. Thank you so much darling Rollanda, you will be dearly missed. The song ends, but the melody lingers on.

Sincerely yours,

Joel Gray

President, Dixieland Jazz Society of Alberta