Lee Vincent
Encyclopedia
Lee Vincent was an American musician, orchestra leader, talent agent, radio sales manager.
, Lee Vincent started learning music early. He learned to play the violin
at age 9, quickly switching to the bass
.
Vincent fought in World War II from 1943 to 1946, and played during that time with famed big band leader Glenn Miller
, before Miller died in a plane crash. He put together groups bearing his name – the Lee Vincent Orchestra, the Lee Vincent Band and the Lee Vincent Trio, starting in 1946, and helped book musicians for performers until his death. His career as a sales manager for WILK and WBAX, and other stations spread his notoriety and Big Band music across Northeastern Pennsylvania.
His band played alongside Nat King Cole
, Frank Sinatra, Jr.
, Aretha Franklin
, Clay Aiken
, and many others. He played Fine Arts Fiestas and Wilkes-Barre events.
Lee Vincent died at the age of 91, at his home in Kingston, Pennsylvania
.
Biography
Born as Vincent Lee Cerreta in Shickshinny, PennsylvaniaShickshinny, Pennsylvania
Shickshinny is a borough in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 959 at the 2000 census, and declined to 896 in the 2007 Economic Census....
, Lee Vincent started learning music early. He learned to play the violin
Violin
The violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello....
at age 9, quickly switching to the bass
Bass (instrument)
Bass describes musical instruments that produce tones in the low-pitched range. They belong to different families of instruments and can cover a wide range of musical roles...
.
Vincent fought in World War II from 1943 to 1946, and played during that time with famed big band leader Glenn Miller
Glenn Miller
Alton Glenn Miller was an American jazz musician , arranger, composer, and bandleader in the swing era. He was one of the best-selling recording artists from 1939 to 1943, leading one of the best known "Big Bands"...
, before Miller died in a plane crash. He put together groups bearing his name – the Lee Vincent Orchestra, the Lee Vincent Band and the Lee Vincent Trio, starting in 1946, and helped book musicians for performers until his death. His career as a sales manager for WILK and WBAX, and other stations spread his notoriety and Big Band music across Northeastern Pennsylvania.
His band played alongside Nat King Cole
Nat King Cole
Nathaniel Adams Coles , known professionally as Nat King Cole, was an American musician who first came to prominence as a leading jazz pianist. Although an accomplished pianist, he owes most of his popular musical fame to his soft baritone voice, which he used to perform in big band and jazz genres...
, Frank Sinatra, Jr.
Frank Sinatra, Jr.
Franklin Wayne Sinatra , professionally known as Frank Sinatra, Jr., is an American singer, songwriter and conductor....
, Aretha Franklin
Aretha Franklin
Aretha Louise Franklin is an American singer, songwriter, and pianist. Although known for her soul recordings and referred to as The Queen of Soul, Franklin is also adept at jazz, blues, R&B, gospel music, and rock. Rolling Stone magazine ranked her atop its list of The Greatest Singers of All...
, Clay Aiken
Clay Aiken
Clayton Holmes "Clay" Aiken is an American singer, songwriter, actor, producer and author who began his rise to fame on the second season of the television program American Idol in 2003. RCA Records offered him a recording contract, and his multi-platinum debut album Measure of a Man was released...
, and many others. He played Fine Arts Fiestas and Wilkes-Barre events.
Lee Vincent died at the age of 91, at his home in Kingston, Pennsylvania
Kingston, Pennsylvania
Kingston is a municipality located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, United States, on the Susquehanna River opposite Wilkes Barre. Kingston was incorporated as a borough in 1857. Kingston has adopted a home rule charter which became effective in January 1976. It is part of the greater metropolitan...
.