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LEE VENTERS
LEE VENTERS (right) RECORDING/ TOURING ARTIST
Drummer, vocalist, multi-instrumentalist, composer,
producer Lee Venters was born in Miami, Beach Florida. A self
taught instrumentalist, Lee started playing guitar at the age of 9
drums at the age of 11, and by the age 16 he was gigging
professionally with musicians doubling his age and experience.
Lee grew up in rich environment of great music. His father a future
radio entrepreneur was a pretty decent trumpet player and would
play duets with young Lee, and would play Miles, Dizzy and Stan Getz
along with Burt Bacharach and Vicki Carr. This was a sound building
block in the building of Lees
future as a versatile drummer.
Lee's natural ability combined with disciplined practice found a
home at Berklee College of Music in Boston from 1977-1981. Attending
Berklee provided Lee with the opportunity to share his ideas and
explore many styles with some of the world's finest players. Lee's
technique and energetic drumming style was well received and allowed
him the opportunity to play and perform with Donald Harrison,
Ralph Moore, Dean Brown, (Marcus Miller, David Sanborn,
Brecker Brothers too many to list.. Baron Browne, (Jean Luc
Ponty, Billy Cobham, Vital Information) Kevin Eubanks(Jay Leno),
Steve Vai, Stuart Hamm,( Joe Satriani) Victor Bailey,(Weather
Report, Madonna, Bill Evans, Gerry Etkins Steve Hunt(Allan
Holdsworth) Jeff Andrews(Special EFX, Mike Stern) and Lorn Leber
to name the short list . Lee also studied privately with the great
Bob Gullotti and Gary Chaffee.
Lee's drumming style was recognized by Gretsch Drums, and
Sabian Cymbals and signed Lee to their roster of endorsees.
In 1987 Lee was signed by Blue Quail Records and released "388
Marlborough Street" which featured Kevin Eubanks,
Victor Bailey and Dean Brown.
388
Marlborough Street
was
added to over 200 stations nationwide and was number 12 on R&R
(Radio and Records charting).
388
Marlborough Street
was also featured on the David Sanborn syndicated radio show.
Until
You Come Back to Me
received heavy airplay through out the country and into Europe and
Asia
After touring the East Coast in promotion of "388 Marlborough
Street", Lee moved to
Los Angeles in search of the perfect combination of musicians. Venters had
the opportunity
to share the stage with such musicians as;
Artists: Eric Marienthal & Jeff Kashiwa.
Guitarists: Mike Lent (Jeffrey Osbourne) Bennett Brandeis,
Jimmy Mahlis.
Bassists: Jimmy Earl (Chick Corea); Dave Carpenter (Allan
Holdsworth); Rob Mullins, Ric Fierabracci (Yanni, Allan Holdsworth,
Frank Gambale, Chick Corea,
& Billy Cobham); Steve Billman ( Larry Carlton).
Keyboardists: Tom McMoran (Tom Scott); Bill Cantos & Bill
Cunliffe.
Drummers: Kirk Covington (Tribal Tech, Scott Henderson).
Lee also toured and recorded with Tony Guererro in
1991 Another
Day Another Dream
which featured Gerald Albright, Brian Bromberg Mike Garson
and included a US tour in support of his 1991 release. In
1994 and seven earthquakes later Lee decided it was time to move
back to the East Coast and settle in Atlanta, Ga. Lee had previously
recorded two CDs with pianist and Tall Tree recording artist
Ted Howe which included
Promised
Places
and Paris
Eyes
who
resided in Atlanta. The work came fast in Atlanta and it didnt
hurt to know a few Berklee connects such as Jeff Sipe (AptQ258)
ARU and Dr.Dan Matrazzo( Bruce Hampton and the Code
Talkers). Gaining much exposure and popularity, Lee was asked to
participate in the Vic Firth Drumstick and Mallets NEP
program or National Education Program.
Lee was asked to replace Jeff Sipe in ARU who wanted
to pursue other projects.
Aquarium Rescue Unit, was a
band that happened to be one of the hottest bands in the country.
From Feb 1995 through August of 1996, the tour covered over 40
states and over 250 national dates across the US. This
tour Included support with bands such as
Blues Traveler (May 1996), a 7 City Tour w/Govt
Mule in 1995. Bruce Hornsby from May to June 1996.
During a 25 City US Tour,
ARU shared the stage with
such acts as: Gov't Mule, Everything, Moon Boot
Lover & The Derek Trucks Band. ARU went on to tour w/ Bruce Hornsby,
Blues Traveler & Col. Bruce Hampton. ARU performed at two
HORDE Festivals '95-'96 with Lenny Kravits, Black
Crows, Natalie Merchant Joan Osborne
See a RARE clip of Lee playing with ARU in Memphis circa
1995, w/guest soloist,
the late great guitarist, Shawn Lane
here.
While off the
road, Lee recorded national and regional Radio and Television
sessions for Ford, Coca Cola, Honor Bank Card, Cartoon Network
and various sessions for TBS and CNN. Developing a
strong reputation as one of the most versatile and most in demand
drummers in Atlanta, Lee found himself performing weekly Brazilian,
Cajun, straight ahead jazz, Cuban, or big band. He performed with
artist Miquel Romero, a Cuban pianist, at the Atlanta Jazz
Festival 1998 and 1999 and many club dates and concerts with his
own band
Lee Venters Harmonic Convergence
featuring Sam Skelton, Steve Cunningham, T.C. Cunningham and Matt
Rody. Lee also performed with Tropicus 22, an authentic
Brazilian 7 piece group with performances for the Ambassador of
Brazil and the Monterey Jazz Festival .
Lee has performed over 50 clinics for Sabian Cymbals, Vic
Firth Sticks, Attack Heads and Gretsch Drums throughout
Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Alabama, and
was a featured artist in the Atlanta Drum Festival in 1999
along with Gerry Brown (Stanley Clarke, Lionel Richie, Stevie
Wonder) and Richie Morales (Hal Galper, Brecker Brothers and
Spyro Gyra). Lee was a finalist and featured in Jazziz Magazine's
composers competition "/Percussionist On Fire/", a
compilation of compositions from percussionists around the world.
His composition /Bahia/ was chosen from hundreds of
other entries from around the world.
Lees
latest release
Vermillion
Sands
originally recorded on his own label CEI Music Group in 2001
while living in Atlanta, is now a celebrated world release on
Life force Jazz Records.
LifeforceJazzRecords.com
Venters composed all selections except a cover of Bobby Caldwells
What You Wont
do For Love
with a burning
Brazilian Samba feel and a remix of Until You Come back to Me
of his 388
Marlborough Street
The project
features some of Atlantas
Finest including (ARU/ Derek Trucks Band) Keyboardist and Flutist
Koki Burbridge and Percusssionist extraordinare Count Mbuto(Allman
Brothers ARU/ Derek Trucks Band/ Frog Wings.
The project
features compositions with a deep influence from Brazil such as
Bahia
to the
Caribbean The
Road to Hanna
with
edgy over the top noted performances from a blistering duet from
Sam Skelton on Vermillion Sands to lush ballads such as
Through
the Eyes of a Child
dedicated to his beautiful daughters Carlee Anne, and
Saelar Lee.
To
capture Lees
passion in a live music canvas is truly an experience that his fans
enjoy concert after concert.
Star News-Wilmington
Lee Venters has
been a main stay of the Cape Fear music scene for some time now,
influencing many local musicians due to his extensive professional
musical background. He can also be heard playing with the
Latin Salsa Band Carnivalito, which also has had National Acclaim!
Lee Uses and Endorses:
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