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