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David Lee
 
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David Lee began playing by ear at the age of three. At five, his parents bought an Allen
electronic organ which he took to immediately. David began his professional keyboard career at the
age of 14 playing jazz pipe organ at the Organ Grinder
Restaurant in Portland from 1973-1976, and when out of high school, played at
Big Bob's Pipe Dream in Burien, Washington, then
later for Uncle Milt's Pipe Organ Pizza in Vancouver.
 
Lee studied organ for nine years with Philip Raboin, a silent movie organist in the 1920's and 1930's,
author or seven books on the organ, and a student of the Wurlitzer Company movie accompaniment
course. David considers himself very fortunate to have been exposed to Mr. Raboin's extensive silent
film accompaniment expertise.
 
At age 16, David released his first solo organ LP, David Lee, which received airplay in the
Northwest and on the BBC. In the early 80's while putting himself through Mt. Hood Community College,
CAL State Long Beach and Lewis & Clark College, David co-founded the Top-40 band Wiseguys,
developed a one-man musical awareness program for elementary school children, and gave lecture/
performances on jazz piano history at local colleges.
 
In 1994, David composed and produced a CD, Harbor Morning, which received airplay on KMHD
radio and appeared on Portland's AM Northwest television program. Most recently, David has played
solo piano at the Oak Street McCormick & Schmick's restaurant for 8 years, occasionally bringing in
bass, clarinet and a full Dixieland band.
 
David's wife, Kimberly, plays piano as well and has sung with the Portland Symphonic Choir. Their son,
Ben, turned three in May 1998 and is already showing an interest and a great ear for music.
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