Leon Lee Dorsey
American jazz bassist, composer, arranger, producer, and educator

Leon Lee Dorsey

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American jazz bassist, composer, arranger, producer, and educator
Gender:
Male
Places:
United States of America
Is:
Jazz musicianBassistComposerMusic arrangerRecord producerMusic educator
Work field:
AcademiaBusinessMusic
Birth:
12 March 1958
Star sign:
Pisces
Instruments:
Double bass
Education:
Oberlin College
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Biography

Introduction

Leon Lee Dorsey (born March 12, 1958) is an American jazz bassist, composer, arranger, producer, and educator known for his well-received debut for Landmark Records. He teaches at the Berklee School of Music in Boston.

Raised by a family plugged into Pittsburgh’s jazz lineage, Dorsey began playing instruments at an early age. He picked up the piano and cello first, soon after joining the Pittsburgh Symphony at the famed Center for the Musically Talented.

He began his undergraduate studies at Oberlin College, where he was the first to receive a B.M in classical Double Bass and Jazz Performance. Dorsey also graduated from the Oberlin Conservatory and was one of several jazz luminaries at the opening of their new jazz facility, the Bertram and Judith Kohl building.

He released his debut album The Watcher in 1995 and followed it up with 1999’s Song of Songs. In 2003, he founded Leon Lee Dorsey Studios in New York City.

Dorsey has performed alongside many jazz icons, from Lionel Hampton, Art Blakey & the Jazz Messengers, Dizzy Gillespie, Wynton Marsalis, Freddie Hubbard, John Lewis, Kenny Clarke, Jon Hendricks, Gloria Lynn, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Dorothy Donegan, Stanley Turrentine, George Benson, Ellis Marsalis, Nnenna Freelon, Terumasa Hino to GRAMMY-winning vocalist Cassandra Wilson, performing with Frank Sinatra at Carnegie Hall, and with conducting legends Lukas Foss and Robert Fountain.

Education

  • Classical Double Bass / Jazz Performance - Double Degree in Music (Oberlin College) - 1981
  • Classical Double Bass - Master's Degree (University of Wisconsin-Madison) - 1983
  • Artist Diploma Program (Hartt School of Music) - 1984
  • Music Performance (Double Bass) - Master's Degree (Manhattan School of Music) - 1986
  • Double Bass Performance - Doctor of Music (DMA) (Stony Brook University Graduate School) - 2016

Discography

As leader

Year recorded Title Label Notes
1995 The Watcher Landmark Records with Vincent Herring, Don Braden, Lafayette Harris Jr., Cecil Brooks III, Jimmy Madison
1999 Song of Songs Umoja Productions with Bryan Carrott, Carlton Holmes, Vincent Ector
2019 Monk Time Jazz Avenue 1 with Greg Skaff, Mike Clark
2020 Play Sgt. Pepper Jazz Avenue 1 with Michael Wolff, Mike Clark
2021 Thank You Mr. Mabern Jazz Avenue 1 with Harold Mabern, Mike Clark
2021 Freedom Jazz Dance Jazz Avenue 1 with Manuel Valera, Mike Clark
2022 Blues on Top Jazz Avenue 1 with Mike LeDonne, Mike Clark
2023 Cantaloupe Island Jazz Avenue 1 with Russell Malone, Mike Clark

As sideman