Lenny McLean
Founder / Band Leader / Composer / Keyboardist
J
ohn Lenny McLean, Boston, MA native, is a self taught composer and keyboardist and has captivated East-Coast audiences with his unique sound and
charisma beginning in the early 1980’s. Showing extraordinary promise as a musician by the fourth grade, Lenny found himself continuing on with his
endeavors in order to show himself approved.
Inspired by artists such as The Yellowjackets, Joe Sample, Miles Davis, George Duke, and many others, Lenny began his musical career as an organist with the Twelfth Baptist Church of Boston, Massachusetts. While there, he gained encouragement and support from his father, thus giving him the confidence to broaden his musical talents and eventually become a jazz musician.
With the musical mentoring of an esteemed professor at Berklee College of Music, Frank Wilkins, his musical talents grew, and his interests blossomed. In 1993, Lenny co-founded On Kee Jazz Group in Boston with several music colleagues. The Group’ s musical triumphs include opening for two nationally recognized jazz artists, Jeff Lorber and Bob James at the G Clef Jazz Club in Providence, Rhode Island. They have been featured in the Metro West Daily News and the Boston Globe.
Lenny has also been honored by the Special Olympics for his dedication to their cause from 1997 to 2002, and Bridgewater State College for his achievements as a prestigious member of the Afro-American Alumni Association. Lenny has performed concerts in all of the major jazz clubs in Boston to include House of Blues, Ryles Jazz Club, the World Trade Center and the Legendary Connolley’s, which was known for featuring jazz legends such as John Coltrane. Now relocated in Maryland, Lenny has continued the tradition of performing in Boston and extends his musical talents to the jazz enthusiasts of the Washington Metropolitan Area.
“ The average listener and probably a few expert ones too would no doubt mistake the On Kee Jazz Ensemble as a group of professional musicians based on their tight groves and skills in improvisation ” – Boston Globe, November 2002
