Listening to Lenny Mink's music is akin to packing one's bags and hitting the open road for destinations unknown. Much like the diverse landscapes of his youth, Mink's music takes the listeners through an eclectic mix of genres that defy definition.
With a freedom of style seldom seen in commercial music artists, Mink travels seamlessly between classic rock and roll, blues, jazz, gypsy folk and honky tonk. One wonders how a single musician came to express himself in such a wide range of genres. But a glimpse into Mink's childhood solves the puzzle and leaves the listener longing for more.
The only child of Russian immigrants, his parents packed their belongings and set out to live as refugees in Germany when Mink was only 3 years old. They later followed family members to Israel where they lived for another year and a half before traveling to the United States.
His admiration for his parents' dauntless determination is evident as he recalls transient childhood memories. Taking the chance at a new life in foreign places where they could not speak the language was well worth the opportunity to flourish as artisans and individuals.
Mink vividly remembers sleeping on a mattress on the floor of their one-room apartment in Germany.
"My parents are brave people, they are very courageous," Mink said. "It is part of the culture of being immigrants to roll with the punches. I'm sure that has played a role in my music and the choices I've made in my life."
(Read the full version at http://www.thelaketoday.com/articles/2009/09/30/profile/092profile20mink09.txt)
