Leon Lee Dorsey

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For the American serial killer, see Leon Dorsey.
Leon Lee Dorsey
BornMarch 12, 1958
Alma materOberlin College
Websitehttps://leonleedorsey.com/

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.[1] 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.[2]

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.[3]

He released his debut album The Watcher in 1995 and followed it up with 1999’s Song of Songs.[4] In 2003, he founded Leon Lee Dorsey Studios in New York City.[5]

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.[6]


Education[]

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

As sideman[]

External links[]

References[]

  1. ^ Allmusic
  2. ^ Hinte, Terri. "Leon Lee Dorsey Explores The Music Of Thelonious Monk On "MonkTime," Bassist's First Album In 20 Years, Available Now!". All About Jazz. All About Jazz. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  3. ^ Rich, Marci. "Working, playing, and music-making in the Kohl Building". Oberlin Conservatory. Oberlin. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  4. ^ "LEON LEE DORSEY". Jazz Music Archives. Jazz Music Archives. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  5. ^ Janas, Marci. "Oberlin Conservatory Of Music Launches Commercial Record Label". Lorain County. Lorain County. Retrieved 27 December 2020.
  6. ^ Liebman, Jon. "From Lionel Hampton, Art Blakey and Cassandra Wilson to Frank Sinatra, Joe Williams and Marilyn Horne, Dorsey talks with FBPO about his stellar career". For Bass Players Only. Notehead MediaGroup, LLC. Retrieved 27 December 2020.


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