The Emory Lester Set

Emory Lester
home

EMORY LESTER is one of this day's foremost exponents of the acoustic mandolin. The power and attack of his mandolin playing creates an infectious sound that is unmatched. His landmark recording projects have placed him among the elite mandolinists of our time. His most recent solo CD 'At Dusk' showcases Emory's multi-instrumentalist musical creativity and skills. Undeniably, his clean, clear, fast and efficient mandolin techniques continue to influence many modern day mandolinists.

As well as his own Emory Lester Set, he also currently performs with his partner Jill Jones in the new 'Emory Lester & Jill Jones Band', at upcoming concerts and festivals. His fourteen year friendship and musical collaboration with noted 'Clawgrass' banjoist Mark Johnson has yielded four very creative recording projects. Mark and Emory have toured all across the U.S., and have been featured on several performances with Steve Martin, most notably on the 'Late Night with David Letterman' television show in September of 2012. He also performs with the bluegrass band 'Wayne Taylor and Appaloosa', doing shows across the U.S., Canada, Europe and the U.K.

The Band

Emory Lester - Mandolin
Al Smith - Guitar
Kene Hyatt - Bass

	EMORY LESTER, A life-long Virginia native, but currently residing in Ontario Canada, Emory has been teaching master series workshops at events such as the Mandolin Symposium, the Steve Kaufman Acoustic Kamp, the Swannanoah Gathering, the Goderich Celtic College, the Alaska Guitar Camp, the Transatlantic Bluegrass School in Wales U.K., and many other prestigious schools and workshops far and wide. He has also produced many recording projects for other prominent artists.
AL SMITH From Jasper, Georgia, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist Al Smith adds his wealth of experience and musical creativity to the Emory Lester Set. A top notch player, who has shared the stage for performances with Mark O'Connor, Alison Krauss, Randy Howard, and a long list of other notable names, Al's passion for new acoustic music has brought him attention and notoriety in the world of Grisman-style acoustic music.
	KENE HYATT Originally from Pennsylvania, Kene Hyatt is one of the foremost bass players in acoustic music today. A master bassist, Kene studied at the York University in Toronto, and excelled in Jazz bass. A past winner of the 'Bass Player of the Year' award at the Central Ontario Bluegrass Awards, Kene has regularly performed with Emory Lester and other bluegrass artists, as well as branching out to other genres such as rock, salsa, and country.