Bill Lee, the jazz bassist and father of filmmaker Spike Lee, died Wednesday at his home in Brooklyn, New York. He was 94.
Bill Lee cause of death: What happened to Spike Lee’s father?
The actual cause of his death is yet to be disclosed to the general public.
Lee was born in 1928 in Arkansas and began playing the bass at a young age. He moved to New York City in the 1950s and quickly became one of the most in-demand bassists in the city. He played with some of the biggest names in jazz, including Duke Ellington, Aretha Franklin, and Bob Dylan.
In the 1970s, Lee began composing scores for his son’s films. He won an Emmy Award for his work on the 1989 film Do the Right Thing.
Lee was a vocal critic of racism and social injustice. He was a member of the Black Panther Party and was arrested several times for his activism.
He is survived by his wife, Julia Lee, and their four children, Spike, Joie, David, and Satchel.
Spike Lee paid tribute to his father on Instagram, writing, “My father was a brilliant man, a great musician, and a wonderful father. He will be deeply missed.”
Bill Lee’s death is a major loss to the jazz community and to the world of film. He was a talented musician and a passionate activist, and his work will continue to inspire people for generations to come.
