Hugo Lee is a distinguished saxophonist and multi-instrumentalist hailing from Melbourne, Australia, recognized for his extensive international experience in performance, composition, and recording.
As a highly sought-after musician based in Melbourne, Hugo excels in both live performances and studio sessions, having showcased his talents across Australia, the USA, and Europe. His festival appearances include notable events such as Bluesfest, the Edinburgh Fringe, the London Craft Beer Festival, and Zug Der Liebe in Berlin.
In addition to his personal and collaborative songwriting and production endeavors, he is a well-respected session musician, currently contributing his skills on saxophone and keyboards with the band ICEHOUSE, among others.
Hugo's formal training encompasses both Jazz, obtained from the Australian National University and the University of Illinois, and Classical music (AMusA), infused with contemporary influences. His diverse musical output spans genres including Jazz Fusion, Funk, Blues, Psychedelic, Indie Pop/Rock, Folk, Hip Hop, and Electronic music. As a multi-instrumentalist, he specializes in the saxophone and EWI, while also playing guitar, bass, keyboards, various percussion instruments, flutes, cello, harmonica, and providing vocals.
His recent album, Cloud Action, represents a one-man-band instrumental project characterized by ethereal, folky, psychedelic grooves. In this work, Hugo plays over 15 instruments and takes on the roles of producer and mixer, incorporating field recordings gathered from his travels through forests, cities, and mountains.
Confluence, released in 2015, was developed under the guidance of Andrew Farriss of INXS, with whom Hugo has collaborated extensively both in the studio and on stage. This project merges artistic exploration with pop sensibilities, weaving together diverse influences, catchy melodies, and experimental elements, all anchored by a solid groove.
Hugo's musical journey commenced at an early age with the recorder and cello, eventually transitioning to the saxophone and guitar. He formed his first band at 13 while participating in his school's band, orchestra, and choir, and has since been dedicated to writing, recording, and performing his music. At 18, he traveled through Europe, particularly in Edinburgh and Berlin, engaging in street busking, jam sessions, and gigs at various venues, including the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. This period allowed him to collaborate with a wide range of musicians, from bagpipers and folk singers to hard rock performers and DJs, leading to memorable experiences such as experimental funk sessions in Berlin and a week spent recording an album in a Scottish Highlands hut.
To deepen his formal education, Hugo spent four years at the Australian National University, studying Music and Physics with a focus on saxophone performance and acoustics. During this time, he continued to write and release music while working as a sideman with various local and interstate acts. He also entered the corporate gig scene, performing at wineries, embassies, and Parliament House, all while learning from esteemed saxophonist John Mackey and enhancing his skills in acoustics and audio engineering. In his final year, he participated in a university exchange program at the University of Illinois, studying under Grammy Award-winning saxophonist Chip McNeill and playing lead alto in the big band conducted by James Pugh. His time in the United States included extensive performances and recordings in major cities like Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Nashville, and Memphis, where he gained recognition among local musicians and producers, leading to numerous future collaboration offers. Highlights of this period included late-night sessions in New York City and encounters with saxophone legends David Sanborn and Richie Cannata.
Inspired by his diverse experiences, Hugo continually seeks new musical pathways to innovate original sounds and styles.
Currently residing in Melbourne, he plays with a variety of acts, including Icehouse, Holy Holy, Jack The Fox, Riley Pearce, Thando, Tate Sheridan, Riley Catherall, The Tipsy Scholars, Ezra Allen, and many others. He has also maintained international collaborations with recent performances in London, Edinburgh, and Berlin, while his home studio work includes creating music for video games and producing for local artists alongside his own songwriting projects. Hugo regularly undertakes remote saxophone recordings, either directly for clients or through producers such as Matt Redlich, Garrett Kato, Hayden Calnin, and Jackson Barclay.
In early 2021, Hugo joined the iconic Australian band ICEHOUSE as a saxophonist and keyboardist, launching his tenure with a national tour.
Outside of music, he enjoys mountain running and conducting acoustics research, merging his two fields of study into innovative technological and artistic endeavors—such as designing and 3D-printing custom saxophone mouthpieces that contribute to his distinctive sound.
With a steadfast passion and a strong work ethic, the future holds great promise for Hugo Lee.
