BED-STUY, NY — Musician Bill Lee, who composed many of his son Spike Lee’s films and played bass for Bob Dylan, died Wednesday at the age of 94.
Spike Lee announced his father’s death in an Instagram post. Bill Lee died in his Brooklyn home, the Associated Press reported.
“This Morning May 24th My Father Made His Transition,” Spike Lee wrote, noting he died on the birthdays of both Dylan and Spike Lee’s son, Jackson Lewis Lee.
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An illustrious studio musician, Bill Lee composed many of Spike Lee’s films beloved in Bed-Stuy and across the country, including “Do the Right Thing” and “School Daze.”
Bill Lee himself was the son of two musicians, born in Alabama in 1928, the Los Angeles Times reported. He moved to New York City by 1959, already committed to a life of jazz music.
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Throughout his career, he’s recorded with artists like Aretha Franklin, Woody Guthrie and Odetta, the Associated Press reported.
Hundreds took to Instagram to share their condolences and remember the late musician.
“Bill Lee played alongside many jazz and blues legends, leaving an indelible mark on their recordings. His versatility as a bassist allowed him to seamlessly adapt to different musical styles and collaborate with a diverse range of artists. His expressive bass lines added depth, emotion, and a distinct musical voice to all of his works,” one person wrote in an Instagram comment.
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