Sound

Bill Lee

Born July 23, 1928 · Snow Hill, Alabama, USA

Died May 24, 2023 · aged 94

William James Edwards Lee (July 23, 1928 – May 24, 2023) was an American musician. He was the father of Spike Lee and Joie Lee. He composed original music for many of his son's films, including She's Gotta Have It (1986), School Daze (1988), Do the Right Thing (1989), and Mo' Better Blues (1990). Lee was involved in many releases from the Strata-East jazz record label, including directing the 1980…

Known For

Do the Right Thing

Do the Right Thing · 1989

Do the Right Thing

Sal is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggin' Out, becomes upset when he sees that the pizzeria's Wall of Fame exhibits only Italian actors. Buggin' Out believes a pizzeria in a black neighborhood should showcase black actors, but Sal disagrees. The wall becomes a symbol of racism and hate to Buggin' Out and to other people in the neighborhood, and tensions rise.

Mo' Better Blues

Mo' Better Blues · 1990

Mo' Better Blues

MovieDramaMusic

Talented but self-centered trumpeter Bleek Gilliam is obsessed with his music and indecisiveness about his girlfriends Indigo and Clarke. But when he is forced to come to the aid of his manager and childhood friend, Bleek finds his world more fragile than he ever imagined.

She's Gotta Have It

She's Gotta Have It · 1986

She's Gotta Have It

MovieComedyRomance

The story of Nola Darling's simultaneous sexual relationships with three different men is told by her and by her partners and other friends. All three men wanted her to commit solely to them; Nola resists being "owned" by a single partner.

School Daze

School Daze · 1988

MovieComedyDrama

Fraternity and sorority members clash with other students at a historically black college during homecoming weekend.

Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads

Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads · 1983

Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads

Zack Homer takes over managing the barbershop after Joe is killed for trying to rip off his "investor", Mr. Lovejoy. All Zack wants to do is run a traditional barbershop giving traditional haircuts, but modern styles have passed him by and business is slow. One evening, Mr. Lovejoy shows up to offer Zack the same deal he gave to Joe. It could turn his business around, but what will he have to give in return?

Never Met Picasso

Never Met Picasso · 1997

Never Met Picasso

MovieComedyDrama

Still living at home with his avant-garde actress mother, constantly rejected by art schools, and without a lover, aspiring painter Andrew decides to enter a contest in hopes of winning a six month stay in Kenya. Though things aren't great for Andrew, neither are they wonderful for his lesbian friend Lucy who constantly bickers with her lover Ingrid. Lucy complicates Andrew's life when she introduces him to the suspicious-looking, enigmatic Jerry.

Rage of Vengeance

Rage of Vengeance · 1993

Rage of Vengeance

Window on Your Present

Window on Your Present · 1988

Window on Your Present

MovieScience FictionDrama

Window on Your Present is Cinqué Lee's first feature film, which he wrote and directed in the late 1980s. The film takes place in a world where color and love do not exist. The people who live in this dreary world have nothing to live for and often end up taking their own lives. However, two unlikely lovers discovery that there is something else that is special that exists outside of their horrid world.

Filmography

Sort

Do the Right Thing

Do the Right Thing · 1989

Do the Right Thing

Sal is the Italian owner of a pizzeria in Brooklyn. A neighborhood local, Buggin' Out, becomes upset when he sees that the pizzeria's Wall of Fame exhibits only Italian actors. Buggin' Out believes a pizzeria in a black neighborhood should showcase black actors, but Sal disagrees. The wall becomes a symbol of racism and hate to Buggin' Out and to other people in the neighborhood, and tensions rise.

Original Music Composer

Mo' Better Blues

Mo' Better Blues · 1990

Mo' Better Blues

MovieDramaMusic

Talented but self-centered trumpeter Bleek Gilliam is obsessed with his music and indecisiveness about his girlfriends Indigo and Clarke. But when he is forced to come to the aid of his manager and childhood friend, Bleek finds his world more fragile than he ever imagined.

Original Music Composer

She's Gotta Have It

She's Gotta Have It · 1986

She's Gotta Have It

MovieComedyRomance

The story of Nola Darling's simultaneous sexual relationships with three different men is told by her and by her partners and other friends. All three men wanted her to commit solely to them; Nola resists being "owned" by a single partner.

Original Music Composer

School Daze

School Daze · 1988

MovieComedyDrama

Fraternity and sorority members clash with other students at a historically black college during homecoming weekend.

Original Music Composer

Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads

Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads · 1983

Joe's Bed-Stuy Barbershop: We Cut Heads

Zack Homer takes over managing the barbershop after Joe is killed for trying to rip off his "investor", Mr. Lovejoy. All Zack wants to do is run a traditional barbershop giving traditional haircuts, but modern styles have passed him by and business is slow. One evening, Mr. Lovejoy shows up to offer Zack the same deal he gave to Joe. It could turn his business around, but what will he have to give in return?

Original Music Composer

Never Met Picasso

Never Met Picasso · 1997

Never Met Picasso

MovieComedyDrama

Still living at home with his avant-garde actress mother, constantly rejected by art schools, and without a lover, aspiring painter Andrew decides to enter a contest in hopes of winning a six month stay in Kenya. Though things aren't great for Andrew, neither are they wonderful for his lesbian friend Lucy who constantly bickers with her lover Ingrid. Lucy complicates Andrew's life when she introduces him to the suspicious-looking, enigmatic Jerry.

Original Music Composer

Rage of Vengeance

Rage of Vengeance · 1993

Rage of Vengeance

Restaurant Owner

Window on Your Present

Window on Your Present · 1988

Window on Your Present

MovieScience FictionDrama

Window on Your Present is Cinqué Lee's first feature film, which he wrote and directed in the late 1980s. The film takes place in a world where color and love do not exist. The people who live in this dreary world have nothing to live for and often end up taking their own lives. However, two unlikely lovers discovery that there is something else that is special that exists outside of their horrid world.

Original Music Composer