It’s hard to grasp the full range of diversity and talent of Ranee Lee is as an artist. Her recordings have showcased everything from modern Broadway material to Canadian pop and rock classics, as well as those from the Great American Songbook, her original compositions, and beyond, and all are treated with outstanding artistry and respect. Ranee is a JUNO-winner, a member of the Order of Canada, and educator, an award-winning actress, a children’s book author, a painter, and one of Canada’s most beloved and respected jazz vocalists. There isn’t a stage she hasn’t commanded nor is there an audience that hasn’t fallen in love with her performances, and this Saturday, Aug 22, Ranee Lee will delight crowds at the 2026 Markham Jazz Festival and I was delighted to have Ranee join me earlier this week on the line from Montreal.
Exclusive: Ranee Lee celebrates 50 years of music-making
It’s been a minute since you were last at the Markham Jazz Festival – I believe you were last there in 2017. What do community festivals such as this one mean to you as an artist?
It means a stronger connection to the public. The big stages have a lot of pomp and circumstance and we still get the job done. But there’s a certain communication when the audience is in a smaller venue and I like that. I like that warm, home-y, personal feeling. I’m closer to the audience at this point.
You’ve recently marked 50 years of creating outstanding music in Montreal and you celebrated that accomplishment earlier this summer at the Montreal Jazz Festival. When you look back on those 50 years, what stands out for you?
I was strongly encouraged as a child by my mother who was an entertainment guru. She wasn’t a backstage mom, but she loved the arts and encouraged me so much. If we would have company she would say, “Ranee, sing!” or “Ranee, play!” or “Ranee, dance!” So it felt like it was a natural thing to do. When I started to consider my career, of course I had a lot of options, but I think it was the career that chose me. This was the gift that was given to me when we came through the birth process.
I mentioned the work you’ve been doing and I only recently realized you’ve been painting. How did that begin?
I can’t remember a time when I haven’t painted. I’ve probably painted longer than I’ve performed as a vocalist, especially as a career vocalist. It’s my go-to place, it’s been with me for a very long time. It’s a parallel universe for me. Music has this innate rhythm that’s in all of us, I feel like painting has the same enigma. There’s a movement with the brush, in fact my brush instills in me where I want to go with the mediums and how I want to reach it. It’s otherworldly.
Ranee Lee will be at the Markham Jazz Festival this coming Saturday, August 22, at 7:00 pm on the Millennium Bandstand Stage. All of these amazing shows are free to the public and you can get information at markhamjazzfestival.com. This is going to be an outstanding show and – I speak from experience – seeing Ranee Lee live is something ALL music fans should experience, so make a plan to be at the Markham Jazz Festival this Saturday night for this show.