Created in 2015, Jessie Lee & The Alchemists is a modern blues-rock quintet co-led by singer-guitarist Jessie Lee and guitarist-composer Alexis « Mr AL » Didier, supported by bassist Laurent Cokelaere, drummer Stéphane Minana and organist Laurian Daire.
The group’s Anglo-Saxon influences are very broad, ranging from blues to rock, through soul, pop and even jazz. The music they create is modern, original, nourished by traditions, combining emotion, freedom and power.
A surprising alchemy.
Qualified as “Europe’s blues scene hope”, the band started to sharpen its art on as many stages as possible before taking a huge step, in 2018, by recording their first eponymous album. The same year, the band was rewarded by 5 prizes during the International Mississippi Blues Trail Challenge. A first acknowledgement soon confirmed, in 2019, when they won the Challenge France Blues. All of those obviously sprinkled with the European audience support.
It is with its respectability’s armor and self-confidence that the band recorded in February 2020 at Studio Midilive their second album “Let It Shine”, released on May 7, 2021 on Dixiefrog label. Mixed by the famous Kevin Shirley -entirely in analogical, just like the mastering of Globe Audio in order to stay true to what inspired them for both music and writing- the album reveals itself powerful and surprising. Each track is a painting, a journey at the crossroads of styles, which immediately contrasts the impressive Jessie Lee’ vocal talent and the inspired guitar player she is, even for rhythmic part or solo. Plug it to the virtuosity and lyricism of Alexis “Mr. AL” Didier – who’s also composer and director of the album –, the recipe hits every mark.
A European tour followed, punctuated by a top 5 finish at the European Blues Challenge 2022 in Malmö (Sweden) and a more than conquered audience at Jeff Beck’s opening act in July 2022 at the Olympia (Paris).
« Just as if Beth Hart had met the Tedeschi Trucks Band (comparison is obvious), “Let It Shine” offers an original, powerful, generous and sincere music where the 70’s nostalgia is just the engine of an unfettered creativity. »