Eric Lee

Eric Lee is a Hawaiian musician, singer, songwriter, and producer. His work has appeared on more than 30 albums, including his work with The Kanile'a Collection, Nā Kama, The Ka'ala Boys, The Mākaha Sons, and his solo albums, Crossroads, Kawehilani, and his Twentieth Anniversary Anthology. Lee grew up in Mā'ili, a small town on the Wai'anae coast of O'ahu, Hawai'i, known for its beaches and surf spots. Lee began his musical career at the age of 9 with his first instrument; a $15 'ukulele purchased at Woolworth's, and went on to play 'ukulele, piano, guitar, and electric & upright bass. He studied choral music and theory at Kamehameha Schools and later at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Kanile‘a collection After winning the 1993 Ka Hīmeni 'Ana competition, Lee recorded his first CD, Nahenahe with The Kanile'a Collection, which included guitarist Brian Mersberg and Jay Kauka on upright bass. That recording included Lee's first published Hawaiian composition, "Nā Nalu Ha'i O Mā'ili", which was written with the assistance of Hailama Farden and dedicated to Lee's brothers, who loved to surf the waves of Mā'ili. It also included a guest appearance by the legendary guitarist Peter Moon. The Kanile'a Collection traveled throughout Hawai'i and Japan, playing for hula hālau (schools) at various hula competitions including the Merrie Monarch Hula Festival, and opening concerts for Robi Kahakalau and Hapa. Lee performed with other musical groups, traveling to Samoa, Hong Kong, and Japan. He worked as a part-time studio musician, composing jingles and background music for commercial vendors, providing instrumentation and background vocals for other entertainers, and assisting in the production of recordings for various artists such as Pai'ea and Hailama Farden.