About Lee Watts
Lee Watts is one of the most active bass trombonists in the southeastern United States. Known for his versatility, Watts is heard regularly in orchestras, big bands, and shows in Atlanta and abroad. Lee Watts currently serves as bass trombonist for the Atlanta Pops, as well as the Carroll, Cobb, and LaGrange Symphony Orchestras. Watts is also a bass trombonist with the “One and Only” Tommy Dorsey Orchestra, led by Buddy Morrow, the Joe Gransden Big Band, and Jazz Orchestra Atlanta. Locally, Watts has been heard in such venues as the Alliance Theatre, the Atlanta Civic Centre, Cafe 290, the “Fabulous” Fox Theatre, Spivey Hall, Variety Playhouse and Symphony Hall at Woodruff Arts Center. Lee Watts has performed with such artists as Patti Austin, Louie Bellson, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, the Cab Calloway Big Band, Art Garfunkle, Debbie Gravitte, Tom Harrell, Wynonna Judd, Gladys Knight, Johnny Mathis, Kathy Mattea, Don McLean, Nicholas Payton, Chris Potter, Doc Severinson, Byron Stripling, Three Dog Night, and many others.
Touring with several groups, Watts has performed throughout the United States as well as in Canada and Taiwan. As a sideman with the Dorsey Band, Watts has performed on the Crystal, MSC, and Royal Caribbean cruise lines. Watts is a also former winner of the Eastern Trombone Workshop Solo Competition and the International Trombone Association Kai Winding CompetitIon.
Lee Watts is a strong supporter of music education. Watts has coached and taught privately in Ohio, Kentucky, and Georgia. Watts was a former brass coach for the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra and was also on the brass coaching staff for the Georgia Youth Symphony Orchestra and Brass Band. Watts currently works as a clinician for Dickerson Middle School, Lovinggood Middle School, and is also on staff with the Milton High School marching band. In addition, Watts currently maintains studios at Milton High School, Alpharetta High School, and at his home in Marietta. Watts has been a trombone instructor for the University of Kentucky Wind Preparatory Program and The Lovett School, one of the leading private schools in Atlanta.
Originally from Ohio, Lee Watts has lived in the Atlanta metro area since 2000. A graduate of Centerville High School in Ohio, Watts attended the University of Kentucky where he earned his bachelor’s degree in music. Watts also holds a master’s degree in music from Georgia State University, where he served as the graduate assistant to Dr. Tom Gibson.