Khari Allen Lee

Khari Allen Lee has arisen as one of the most-in-demand saxophonists, educators, composers, and multi-instrumentalists of his generation. He has performed and recorded with such luminaries as Alvin Batiste, Ellis Marsalis, Edward 'Kidd' Jordan, Aretha Franklin, Dr. John, Branford Marsalis, Terence Blanchard, DeeDee Bridgewater, Stevie Wonder, Raphael Saadiq, the Treme Brass Band, Herlin Riley, Nicholas Payton, the Astral Project, Shannon Powell, Wes ‘Warmdaddy’ Anderson, Jason Marsalis, Bill Summers, Jeff 'Tain' Watts, Ravi Coltrane, Kenny Barron & more. In addition to his own the group, the New Creative Collective, he is lead saxophonist & touring member of Delfeayo Marsalis’ Uptown Jazz Orchestra, Sextets & Quintets, former lead saxophonist of the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra directed by Adonis Rose, and was a faculty member at the University of New Orleans & Loyola University, following his extended tenure at the prestigious New Orleans Center for the Creative Arts (NOCCA). After being chosen to become the Auburn University Daniel F. Breeden Eminent Scholar in Residence for the Arts & Humanities, he now serves as the Walt & Ginger Woltosz Endowed Professor of Practice and Director of Commercial Music.

As leader, Khari Allen Lee & the New Creative Collective has released four albums, Conscious Evolution (2012), Our Great Awakening (2014), A New Earth (2016) & Live at the Sound Wall (2023), all to enthusiastic praise. He is an artist endorser for the family of P. Mauriat Saxophones, Légére Reeds, Jody Jazz Mouthpieces and an artist ambassador for the family of Rovner Ligatures.

Awards

2017 Grammy Award for Best Traditional Blues Album (Bobby Rush - Porcupine Meat)

Offbeat Magazine Best Saxophonist (Nominee 2018, 2020, 2022)

Offbeat Magazine Best Jazz Album (Uptown Jazz Orchestra 2017, 2020)

2022 Auburn University Daniel F. Breeden Eminent Scholar in Residence for the Arts & Humanities

Gear

Jody Jazz mouthpieces, Rovner Ligatures, Légére Reeds, P. Mauriat Saxophones

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