
William James Edwards Lee (July 23, 1928 – May 24, 2023) was an American musician. He was the father of Spike Lee and Joie Lee. He composed original music for many of his son's films, including She's Gotta Have It (1986), School Daze (1988), Do the Right Thing (1989), and Mo' Better Blues (1990). Lee was involved in many releases from the Strata-East jazz record label, including directing the 1980 album The New York Bass Violin Choir. Lee played the bass for many artists, including Chris Anderson, Cat Stevens, Harry Belafonte, Chad Mitchell Trio, Gordon Lightfoot, Aretha Franklin, Odetta, Simon and Garfunkel, Ian & Sylvia, Tom Rush, Burt Bacharach, Peter, Paul and Mary, Arlo Guthrie, Tom Paxton, Carolyn Hester, John Lee Hooker, Josh White, Duke Ellington, Malvina Reynolds, Eric Bibb, The Clancy Brothers, and Bob Dylan. On the original release of Dylan's classic song "It's All Over Now, …
movieNever Met Picasso
1997 · Original Music Composer
movieMo' Better Blues
1990 · Father of the Bride, Original Music Composer
movieDo the Right Thing
1989 · Original Music Composer
movieSchool Daze
1988 · Phil Hyman Quartet - Bass, Original Music Composer
movieShe's Gotta Have It
1986 · Sonny Darling, Original Music Composer
movieJoe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads
1983 · Original Music Composer