Madison Musician Brings Talents to Giralda Farms

When Colin Lee was playing in the Madison High School Concert Band, Jazz Band, Show Band, and Dixieland/Swing Band under the direction of now-retired Robert Seibert, he couldn't have known that he would be coming back to play in his hometown with the NJ Symphony Orchestra just a few years later.

Now, three years into his education at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Lee will be performing with the band he has formed in college, Moss Points North, at the Music and Arts Festival at Giralda Farms.

"It's really exciting. But at the same time it's also very nerve-wracking," Lee said.

This will be the biggest show that Moss Points North has played since forming in 2007, and being a band from Boston, they have not had much exposure in New Jersey, but opening for the NJ Symphony Orchestra will change that. Fortunately, Lee's music transcends genre and is highly listenable for fans of many different styles of music.

Moss Points North is the culmination of classically trained musicians working together to blend a vast array of styles–The Beatles can be heard in their sound just as much as Wilco or Modest Mouse, and a touch of jazz and classical can be found in the mix as well. Their songs are devoid of any discernible flaws; every sound seems to be there for a reason.

"I'm really inspired by the idea of creating something original, and music is a great vehicle for that," Lee said. "It's a great feeling to be able to come up with something totally new, and I always strive to write music that excites me."

Lee has been playing music since he was five years old, when he started to learn the piano, which is still his main instrument. He also sings and plays acoustic guitar, giving him the ability to write both piano and guitar based rock, folk, and pop music.

This Sunday Lee can share his passion and the style that he began to develop as a child and as a student in Madison. Doors to the festival at Giralda Farms open at 3 p.m. and Moss Points North take the stage at 4 p.m., followed by the NJ Symphony orchestra.

"Having the opportunity to perform at an event like this is very rare, and I think that will motivate us to perform at our best and work really hard to make it a memorable show, not only for the audience but also for ourselves," Lee said.

For more information on Moss Points North, head to their Web site.