By PAMELA BARKER
Community Reporter/ Social Media Editor
North Palm Beach Life/ [email protected]

Swaying palm trees, perfect weather, the noisy chatter of people enjoying great food and beautiful music -- it all goes together like a surfer riding the glassy waves of the Atlantic.

However, sitting at an out-of-the-way table at Juno Beach Cafe, at the corner of U.S. Highway 1 and Donald Ross, early in the afternoon on a Wednesday, I was surrounded not by food or drink.  

Instead, there were guitars covered in cases, a small box of CDs, a closed laptop, and the smiling face of musician Jordan Lee.

Having seen him, and heard his lovely music over a late breakfast on the patio at JBC one Sunday morning, we met Lee for the first time. As we are Saturday regulars of this popular eatery, we didn't know what we were missing: Lee has been delighting customers with his music for the past 20 years. Glad we decided to go on a Sunday!

In the first few moments of our talk, it became clear this short article  would represent only a snapshot of the career of the soft-spoken Lee, whose journey South resulted from a rather serious storm in 1989.

When hurricane Hugo blew through his home state of South Carolina that year, the result was a trip all the way down to South Florida.

Although he said he was financially flush for only a two-week visit, he did not let that prevent him from staying, permanently.

"It was November and I slid all the way down here on ice . . .got to Florida, and loved it. The perfect weather, ocean breezes, and the swaying palm trees -- loved it," Lee said. "Like a snowman, I began shedding coats as I traveled farther south."

With over 60 albums, including blues, gospel and holiday, to his credit, Lee began his prolific writing career at the young age of nine, when he published a neighborhood newspaper called, The Brick.

Writing got things going, but music was also a part of his early life.

Back in 1965, in Winnsboro, South Carolina, he was a member of a local band with three other young guys. It was at a teen club on the side of a gas station in Winnsboro that something exciting happened.

 One evening they went to the club, not planning to play, but as it turned out they were asked to step in for the scheduled band who had failed to show.

"The cost of admission was 50 cents," Lee laughed.

The other band did show up before the night was over, but his group still got to perform. Not only did they get to play that evening, but also they acquired a new group member when the singer from the original band decided to quit and  join Lee's group.

Apparently, the band went over well enough because Lee said they ended up with teen girls writing them fan letters. Sadly, they are lost forever as Lee's mother, evidently not a fan of the fan letters, burned them. 

He spent several years in entertainment writing and reporting, both in South Carolina and in Florida, conducting interviews with such famed musicians as Stevie Wonder, Boston and the Atlanta Rhythm Section. But he decided writing music was his true calling and something that would pass the test of time.

"Unlike a printed article, when you write a song, it will stay around," Lee said.

Through the years, he has played many Florida venues, including the Gulf Stream Hotel, and Alexander's. But it was while playing a set at the so-called, "Darth Vader" building (Northbridge Centre) in West Palm Beach that he was approached about doing a CD of his music. Which he did.

"My whole family is in music. Dad was in the Grand 'Ole Opry from late 1928-1930. But, he got polio and it destroyed him."

Pulling out one of his seasoned guitars, he played a little of a beautiful song his father penned. "Say a Little Prayer." No, it is not the Burt Bacharach one.

"I am a guitar guy, and a blues one at that," he told me. "It all has a blues lick in it, all my music."

Sometimes, not always, the music comes easily.

"The best song I have ever written took about 15 minutes."

Since 1996, Lee does a weekly performance on Sundays at Juno Beach Cafe. He generously credited many others for his success and progress in his field. 

"I love music, I can not think of anything better than to do what I do. I am always excited about playing."

Apparently, JBC customers agree. While we were chatting, a woman hesitated briefly at our table to tell him how much she has loved hearing his music, for years, while at the restaurant.

True fans will always follow good music, but if you are not in the Jupiter area to see him perform in person, check him out on iTunes.

You could start with, The Carolina Blues, just to get you going. One quick look at iTunes and you will see his musical diversity, and you will enjoy what you hear. Plus, he's a really nice guy.
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Fun Fact: He put his music on iTunes when the streaming format was just beginning and he is still going strong.

Jordan Lee with his guitar, "Anabela" (NPBL Photos and Video)

"The best song I have ever written took about 15 minutes."

Lee has recorded over 60 albums

Lee performs an excerpt from "Say a Little Prayer"

A few of his CDs