Julia Lee

Julia Lee (October 31, 1902 – December 8, 1958) was an American blues and dirty blues musician. Her inclusion in the latter category is mainly due to a few numbers she performed, e.g. “King Size Papa” and “Snatch and Grab It” and “I Didn’t Like It The First Time (The Spinach Song)”. However, it would be misleading to characterize her music as always being in this vein.

Born in Boonville, Missouri, Lee was raised in Kansas City, and began her musical career around 1920, singing and playing piano in her brother George Lee’s band, which for a time also included Charlie Parker. She first recorded on the Merritt record label in 1927 with Jesse Stone as pianist and arranger, and launched a solo career in 1935.

Share this post

Leave a Comment