Prof. Scott Lee

As a college student in Chapel Hill, N.C., Scott Lee switched from a tennis career to a commitment to jazz after hearing the Bill Evans Trio with Eddie Gomez. Upon finishing college, he dove into music by studying from books, bandstand training, and taking lessons from the likes of Charlie Banacas, Dave Holland, and Homer Mensch.

Arriving in New York in the late '70s, 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 has accompanied many singers such as Nancy Wilson, Chris Conner, Morgana King, Betty Buckley, Helen Merrill, Suzannah McCorkle, and Anita O'Day. He is an active performer both within the United States and across Europe, specializing in the genres of Jazz and New Music.

In the orchestral world, Scott has shown his versatility by being part of the Metropolitan Opera Guild's performance of Pucchini'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.

Scott has lead his own group featured on his CD "With Ease", recorded with The Game Trio, and stays active in New Music ensembles in the New York area. He also has two CDs on SteepleChase Records: "One Thought" and "Leaving", both featuring all original compositions. In addition, he is a member of the band Cloning Americana which has a new CD out on Sunneyside Records entitled "For Which It Stands" . 

He is currently on the faculty of Kutztown University and has taught master classes at NYU on the techniques of improvising form, and Qi Gong instruction at Princeton, UNC-CH, UNC-G, Berklee, NYU, and the Eastern Music Festival. 

Scott lives in Manhattan and Bucks County, PA with his wife Sue Anne and daughter Aria. In addition to his music, he practices Qi Gong daily ( refer to his DVD " Qi Gong for Musicians " ) and is a Reiki Master.