Biography
As a college student in Chapel Hill, N.C., Scott Lee switched from a tennis career to a commitment to jazz. Upon finishing college, he dove into music by studying from books, band stand training, and taking lessons from the likes of Charlie Banacas, Dave Holland and Homer Mensch. Arriving in New York in the late 70’s, one of Lee’s first gigs was touring and recording with Chet Baker. He went on to work with Lee Konitz, Zoot Simms, Al Cohn, Red Rodney, Freddie Hubbard, Kenny Werner, and Joe Lovano. Also, he accompanied many singers such as Nancy Wilson, Chris Conner, Morgana King, Betty Buckley, Helen Merrill, Susannah McCorkle, and Anita O’Day. In the orchestral world, Scott has shown his versatility by being part of the Metropolitan Opera Guild’s performance of Puchini’s “Gianni Schicci”, to the World Premiere of Charles Ives’ “Universe Symphony”. He has also toured and recorded with the Andy Statman Quartet playing the music of the Jewish Mystics. Recently, he has been leading his own group featured on his CD “With Ease” recording and playing with the Loren Stillman Quartet, and staying active in New Music Ensembles in the New York area. Currently, he can be heard on Joe Lovano’s Blue Note release “Viva Caruso” and he just completed another European tour with Joe. Scott has finished his first book, Playing the Body Playing the Bass, practices Qi Gong daily and is a Reiki Master. He lives with his wife Sue Anne and daughter Aria in Manhattan and Bucks County, PA, where he is a faculty member in the Music Dept. at Kutztown University.
Teaching Experience
Berklee College of Music, Boston, Visiting Artist
1978-1994
Master Classes – Qi Gong for Musicians
Berklee College of Music, Eastern Music Festival, UNC-CH, Kutztown U., UNC-G, New York University
Private Bass Instructor, New York & Boston
1997 – present
Adjunct Professor – Kutztown University
2003 – present
Books: Just completed
Playing the Body Playing the Bass
Education
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill – 1972 BS Honors, American Studies Major
Private Studies
Tiny Martin ( Boston Symphony Orchestra; Homer Mensch ( New York Philharmonic); Dave Holland (Jazz Virtuoso); Charlie Banacas (Jazz Harmony)
Professional Experience
Joe Lovano Groups
1985-2006
Trios, Quartets, and for European Tours with Universal Language, Concerts at Merkin Hall, Miller Hall, Knitting Factory, Village Vangaurd
Scott Lee Quartet
1988-1991
Leader/Composer – 1998 release of CD “With Ease” (Cathexix Records)
“One Thought” (Steeplechase Records)
“Leaving” (Steeplechase Records)
Collective Group: Cloning Americana “For Which It Stands” ( Sunnyside Records)
“Looking Up” – Duets with Loren Stillman ( Jazz Dungeon Records )
Andy Statman Quartet
1996-1998
European Tours, Recordings for Shanachie Records, Town Hall, Merkin Hall
Joe Roccisano Big Band
1968-1991
Various NYC Gigs/Concerts
Wood
1989-1991
Co-Director of New Music Ensemble
Kenny Werner Trio
1980-1994
Chris Conner
1987-1995
Five Japanese Tours
Metropolitan Opera Guild
1989
Performance of “Gianni Schicci”
World Premiere of Charles Ives “Universal Symphony” at Lincoln Center
1996
Sideman with:
Laurie Altman
Mose Allison
Zoot Sims
Nancy Wilson
Red Rodney
Lee Konitz
Roland Hanna
Helen Merrill
Morgana King
Annie Ross
Anita O’Day
Warne Marsh
Al Cohn
Anne Marie Moss
Mel Lewis
Chris Conner
Betty Buckley
Susanna McCorkle
Freddie Hubbard
Mark Kramer
Andrew Rathbun
Tim Price
Michael Bocian
Projects as Producer
Produced “Mystic Life” CD for Yoko Yates, Japanese pianist. December 2019
Executive Producer “Love Stories” CD for Composer Laurie Altman, Contemporary Chamber Music in Zurich, Switzerland. January, 2020
Produced DVD “Just Gettin’ By With a Beat”, a biographical film profile ( from Benny Goodman to Dave Brubeck ) of acclaimed bassist Michael Moore. 2020
Recording Experience
Chet Baker
“Live at Chateau Vallon” (FCD 128)
1978
“Live at Nicks” (Criss-Cross)
1984 Release
Joe Lovano
“Universal Language” (Blue Note)
1992
“Vive La Caruso” (Blue Note)
2002
Tim Hagans
“No Words” (Blue Note)
1994
Morgana King
“I Just Can’t Stop Loving You” (Muse)
1991
“This Is Always” (Muse)
1993
Jimmy Ponder
“Down Here on the Ground” (Milestone)
1984
“So Many Stars” (Milestone)
1984
Roseanna Vitro
“Reaching for the Moon” (CMD) 8030
1992
“Thought of Bill Evans” (Challenge Records)
2000
Michael Moriarity
”Michael Moriarity Jazz Trio” (EGR 1022)
1995
Andy Statman Quartet
“Between Heaven and Earth” (Shanachie)
1995
“The Hidden Light” (Sony Classical)
1996
Kay Ballard, Fran Jeffries, Anita Oiday, Edie Gorme, Jennifer Holliday
“Mostly Mercer” (Painted Smile)
1986
Joe Roccisano Big Band
“The Shape I’m In” (Concord Records)
1991
Bonnie Strickman
“Wonders Never Cease” (Companion Records)
1996
Chuck Zeuren
“Zeuren” (Mondo Records)
1996
The Three Manhattans
10 CD’s for Japan (Alpha Records)
1992
Daniel Guggenheim
“Sojourn” (Gema)
1996
Roland Heinz
“Places” (Cat Records)
2001
“Present Tales” (Circus Prod.)
2004
Judi Silvano
“Dancing Voices” (JSL/Nimbus)
1993
John Payne
“The Razor’s Edge” (Arista)
1979
“Bedtime Stories” (Arista)
1980
Steve Rochinski
“Bird in the Hand” (Jardis Records)
1999
Vie Tabec
“Vic” (Love Records)
1997
Loren Stillman
“Cosmos” (Soulnote)
1997
“How Sweet It Is” (Hagel-Nager)
2003
“Gin Bon” (Fresh Sounds)
2003
“It Could be Anything” (Fresh Sound)
2005
“Looking Up” (Private)
2006
Andrew Rathbun
“Shadow Forms” (Steeplechase)
2006
“This Fall” (Private)
2006
Wood
“A Collection of Musical Sculptures” (Private)
2005