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Faculty Biography

LEE VENTERS
DIRECTOR
Drum Set Applications, Beginner Piano, Guitar

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 Lee’s 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 didn’t 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/Gov’t 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, Yamaha & 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.

Lee’s 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 Caldwell’s What You Won’t 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 Atlanta’s Finest including (ARU/ Derek Trucks Band) Keyboardist and Flutist Koki Burbridge and Percusssionist extraordinare Count M’buto(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 Lee’s 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!

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