Duke Lee is a multi-talented musician. He is a percussionist, guitarist, vocalist, composer and is able to add that perfect "finishing" touch to a variety of musical genres.
A native of Brooklyn, NY, jazz music was an integral part of the Lee family home. In fact, Duke was taught to play congas by his father when he was just six years old. Since congas were not part of Duke's junior high school music department, he learned to play trumpet, guitar, flute and harmonica.
By the time his family moved to Staten Island, NY, Duke turned his musical energy back to percussion. He started delving into Afro-Cuban rhythms and instruments and built up a collection of percussion instruments from Africa, Cuba, Brazil and India. He played in local Latin salsa bands as well as handling the percussion chair in a Gospel group.
Duke's big break came on New Year's Eve in 1976, when his friend, guitarist Daryl Thompson coaxed bandleader Robin Kenyatta to let Duke substitute for the perc-ussionist at New York's Storyville Jazz club. He has been playing professionally since that eventful night.
Over the years, Duke has performed with Dave Valentin, Stanley Cowell, Claudio Roditi, Benny Golson, Randy Brecker, Cyrus Chestnut, Duduka Da Fonseca, Don Braden, Mulgrew Miller, James Moody, and Paquito D'Rivera to name a few. In addition, Duke Lee is a member of the world music group, Iguazu who have recorded 2 CDs, as well as touring and recording with the Dizzy Gillespie Alumni Big Band.
Duke's other vocation is as a professional animal trainer. His Exotics Unlimited company provides live exotic animals for movies, music videos, lectures as well as often gracing the stage where he is performing.
Despite his busy schedule, Duke still finds time to study the rhythms of the world, and has continued his musical training at Boys Harbor Conservatory in Spanish Harlem and delving into Brazilian rhythms under the tutelage of master percussionist Duduka Da Fonseca. He has also added vocals to his musical virtuosity and can be heard singing on Iguazu's CD, All You Need, to which he also contributed several compositions.
Discography:
Dizzy Gillespie Alumni Big Band - Dizzy's World
Dizzy Gillespie Alumni Big Band - Live at Manchester Guild
IGUAZU - All You Need
Chris Simpson - For All The Hard Cases
Laura Wolfe - Laura Wolfe
Daryl Thompson/Duke Lee - New City Angels
Slide Hampton - Slide Plays Jobim
Duke Lee is a multi-talented musician. He is a percussionist, guitarist, vocalist, composer and is able to add that perfect "finishing" touch to a variety of musical genres.
A native of Brooklyn, NY, jazz music was an integral part of the Lee family home. In fact, Duke was taught to play congas by his father when he was just six years old. Since congas were not part of Duke's junior high school music department, he learned to play trumpet, guitar, flute and harmonica.
