Dick Lee

Raised in a musical family and had clarinet lessons from lead clarinettist of ‘City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra’. Became interested in jazz after listening to jazz recorded from radio by his mother and soon identified favourites. Heard and sat in with Edinburgh’s ‘New Society Syncopators’ in Ardfern in Argyllshire in about 1978, the first time he had played with a jazz band. In 1980, moved to Edinburgh and joined the ‘Southside Strutters’ then ‘Swing 1980’. Played in many other bands over the years including his own ‘Dick Lee’s Chamber Jazz’ 1989-97, ‘No No Nonet’ 1990-96 and ‘Dick Lee’s Septet’ 1999-05. Continued with ‘Swing 1980-2011’ but played many other forms of music as well including Celtic music, the 36-piece ‘La Banda Europe’ and the folk styled ‘Bag o’Cats’. Played and recorded with ‘Ken Mathieson’s Classic jazz Orchestra’ and in a duo with accordionist David Vernon. Left ‘Swing 2011’ that year after over 30 years with the band and became a member of ‘Jerry Forde’s New Phoenix JB’. Composed and arranged many tunes and wrote and recorded ‘Gentleman Jim’ as a tribute to trumpeter and bandleader Jim Petrie after Petrie’s death in 2020.