Building a community

Lee is constantly looking for innovative ways to introduce the harmonica to new audiences. In 2018, he formed his Encore Trio with flautist Nancy Wong and pianist He Liyan. The group plays Eastern and Western pop, jazz and blues compositions and has released a well-received debut album.

In 2015, he established the Hong Kong Harmonica Academy to gather students and enthusiasts in one place and to build a local community around the instrument. And the local interest seems to be growing. In fact, some harmonica teachers in the city are booked to capacity, and hence unable to take on new students. Lee points out that the age range of the students is as wide as it can get, from small children to retirees. Many people in Hong Kong became familiar with the harmonica in the 1970s and 1980s as the famous lyricist and songwriter James Wong played the instrument and incorporated it into a number of his popular Cantopop songs at the time.

"I also realized that people are more relaxed when they learn the harmonica compared to other instruments," Lee says. "They don't feel the pressure to take exams and get certifications."

Most Hong Kong people playing the harmonica today see it as a convenient hobby, he adds.