Leon Lee Dorsey
Leon Lee Dorsey 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 - 1981
- Classical Double Bass - Master's Degree - 1983
- Artist Diploma Program - 1984
- Music Performance - Master's Degree - 1986
- Double Bass Performance - Doctor of Music - 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 |
| 2022 | Cantaloupe Island | Jazz Avenue 1 | with Russell Malone, Mike Clark |
| 2024 | A Letter to Bill Evans | Jazz Avenue 1 | with Michael Wolff, Mike Clark |