Bill Lee (musician)

William " Bill" James Edwards Lee III ( born July 23, 1928 in Snow Hill, Alabama ) is an American composer and bassist of modern jazz.

Life and work

Lee grew up the son of a musician couple. The age of eight, he learned drums, changed the age of eleven to the flute and later to the double bass.

In 1952 he moved to Chicago, where he played with Johnny Griffin, Clifford Jordan, Andrew Hill, John Gilmore and George Coleman.

In 1959 he moved to New York, worked in the short term in the band of John Coltrane and was involved in recordings by Ray Bryant, Frank Strozier, John Handy, Philly Joe Jones or Harold Mabern. In 1968 he founded the New York Bass Violin Choir, which included still Lisle Atkinson, Michael Fleming, Milt Hinton, Richard Davis, Ron Carter, and Sam Jones. He belonged to the band by Stanley Cowell and recorded with Clifford Jordan. He was also involved as a second bassist on several recordings by Richard Davis (Forest Flowers, With Understanding ). He also worked as a studio musician and escorted about Aretha Franklin, Odetta, Josh White, Judy Collins Phyllis Hyman and Bob Dylan.

He created the soundtrack for Spike Lee films She's Gotta Have It, School Daze, Do the Right Thing and Mo ' Better Blues. He is also the composer of folk-jazz operas such as The Depot, Baby Sweets or Little Johnny.

Family

Bill Lee is married to Jacqueline Shelton. He is brother of the pianist Consuela Lee and the father of actress Joie Lee and the director Spike Lee.

Disco Graphical Notes

• The Descendants of Mike and Phoebe: A Spirit Speaks
• The Brass Company: Colors & Glass Bead Games
• New York Bass Violin Choir ( Strata East)
• Richard Davis: On Philosophy of the Spiritual ( Buddah )
• Richard Davis: With Understanding ( Muse)

Lexigraphic entries