David Lee (drummer)

For other people named David Lee, see David Lee (disambiguation).

David Lee
Born	January 4, 1941 New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Died	August 4, 2021 (aged 80) New Orleans, Louisiana, U.S.
Genres	Jazz
Instrument	Drums

David Lee Jr. (January 4, 1941 – August 4, 2021) was an American jazz drummer and composer.

Early life

Lee was born in New Orleans on January 4, 1941.[1] He played professionally from his early teens, and was a member of bands in the United States Army.[1]

Career

In 1969, Lee co-founded the New Orleans Jazz Workshop.[1] Dizzy Gillespie brought Lee into his band in 1969; soon after he worked with Roy Ayers (1971) and Sonny Rollins (1972–1975).[1] Lee then formed a quartet and continued to work as a sideman.[1]

Ethan Iverson wrote that Lee in recordings by Rollins in the 1970s was "swinging hard in a traditional manner but also perfect for all the varied grooves embraced by '70's jazz".[2]

Personal life

He died on August 4, 2021.[3][2]

Discography

As sideman

With Yoshiaki Masuo

• 111 Sullivan St. (1975)[1]

With Sonny Rollins

• Next Album (Milestone, 1972)[1]
• Horn Culture (Milestone, 1973)[1]
• Sonny Rollins in Japan (Victor, 1973)[4]
• The Cutting Edge (Milestone, 1974)[1]
• First Moves (Jazz Door, 1974)[4]

With Charlie Rouse

• Two Is One (1974)[1]

With Lonnie Liston Smith

• Astral Traveling (Flying Dutchman, 1973)[5]

With Richard Wyands

• Then, Here, and Now (Jazzcraft, 1978)[1]

References

1. Will, Patrick T. (2003). "Lee, David(, Jr.)". Grove Music Online (8th ed.). Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-1-56159-263-0. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
2. Iverson, Ethan (September 19, 2021). "George Mraz, Juini Booth, Rick Laird, Peter Ind, George Wein, Phil Schaap, Thurston Briscoe, Ruth Cameron, Sam Reed, Charlie Watts, David Lee, Jerry Granelli, Louis Andriessen, Norm MacDonald". ethaniverson.com. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
3. "David Lee Jr". The Times-Picayune. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
4. "Sonny Rollins Catalog". jazzdisco.org. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
5. Henderson, Alex. "Lonnie Liston Smith & the Cosmic Echoes / Lonnie Liston Smith: Astral Traveling". AllMusic. Retrieved September 19, 2021.