Norman Lee (musician)
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{short description|American jazz musician}}{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Norman Lee
| birth_name = Norman Uehle
| birth_date = March 21, 1921
| birth_place = Danbury, Iowa, U.S.
| death_date = December 6, 1978 (aged 57)
| death_place = Wichita, Kansas, U.S.
| genre = Jazz
| instruments = Clarinet, vocals
}}
Norman Lee (March 21, 1921 – December 6, 1978) was an American songwriter, jazz clarinetist, and big band singer of the 1950s to 1970s.Billboard – October 6, 1951 – Page 14 "Norman Lee, fronting the old Eddy Howard crew, is in the midst of an indefinite engagement at Oh Henry Ballroom, Willow Springs, Ill., where good airtime helps build this new crew. "
Early life
Born Norman Uehle in Danbury, Iowa, Lee was raised in nearby Correctionville, Iowa. His mother, Alice Lee, was also a musician.{{Cite news |date=June 8, 1998 |title=Documentary relives immigrant's successful life as Big Band Leader |first=Melvina |last=Volkart |page=1 |work=Sioux City (Iowa) Journal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/26770037/sioux-city-journal/ |access-date=2022-07-04}}
Career
Lee is best known for his collaboration with Lawrence Welk. Lee co-authored several songs, including "Champagne Polka", with Welk.Billboard – March 24, 1973, "Singer, composer, clarinetist Norman Lee, who co-authored with Lawrence Welk "Champagne Polka," has signed a ..." Lee also led his own group, the Norman Lee Orchestra, in Kansas. Lee also toured the United States with the Eddy Howard Orchestra and later took over the group after Howard's death.
Death
In 1978, Lee was murdered by a former member of his band along with his wife and publicist in Wichita, Kansas.{{Cite news |date=December 10, 1978 |title=Former Band Member Is Sought In Slaying of Three in Kansas |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1978/12/10/archives/former-band-member-is-sought-in-slaying-of-three-in-kansas.html |access-date=2022-07-04 |issn=0362-4331}}
Discography
- "Slappin' Clarinet"
- "Let's Go Dance Again"
References
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Category:American jazz clarinetists
Category:Big band clarinetists
Category:American jazz singers
Category:American male songwriters
Category:American murder victims
Category:20th-century American male musicians
Category:People murdered in 1978
Category:Deaths by firearm in Kansas
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