Bill Lee, Composer and Father of Spike Lee, Passes Away at 94

Bill Lee, the well-respected jazz composer and father of filmmaker Spike Lee, has died at 94.

The elder Lee died Wednesday at his home in Brooklyn, a publicist for Spike Lee confirmed.

A prolific jazz composer and bassist, Lee played alongside renowned musicians like Bob Dylan, Simon and Garfunkel and Harry Belafonte. He also scored four of his son Spike’s early films, including the cult classic “Do the Right Thing” and two songs for “Jungle Fever.” Furthermore, he soundtracks to Spike’s composed the soundtracks for Spike’s movies “She’s Gotta Have It,” “School Daze,” and “Mo’ Better Blues.”

Bill’s credits also appeared on more than 250 albums, including works by Aretha Franklin, Odetta, Woody Guthrie, Cat Stevens, Gordon Lightfoot, and more.

In addition to Spike, Bill Lee is survived by his wife, Susan Kaplan; sons David, Cinque and Arnold; daughter Joie; brother, A. Clifton Lee; and Spike’s two children, Satchell and Jackson.