Lynn Seaton biography

Born in Tulsa, Oklahoma, Lynn Seaton began playing at age seven, starting with the guitar, and switching to the double bass at age nine.  While studying music at the University of Oklahoma, Lynn began his career by playing at various clubs all over the state.

In September, 1980, Lynn relocated to Cincinnati, Ohio, to join the Steve Schmidt Trio and the Blue Wisp Big Band.  He was awarded a Jazz Studies Fellowship in the summer of 1981 from the National Endowment for the Arts to study with Rufus Reid in New York City.  During September, 1984, Lynn joined Woody Herman and the Young Thundering Herd.  July, 1985, brought him a position in the Count Basie Orchestra, and in 1986 he moved to New York City, where he resided until 1998.  After his two year engagement with the Basie Band, Lynn did an extended tour with Tony Bennett and a six month tour with George Shearing.  Most of 1991 and 1992 was spent touring with Monty Alexander.  He has spent the time since freelancing and playing at festivals worldwide, including Bern, Concord, JVC, Kool, Kyoto, Newport, North Sea, Perugia, and Pori.  Lynn has performed in 49 of the 50 United States, and in over 35 foreign countries.

In his relentless dedication to education, Lynn has served as a faculty member at the College Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati, North Texas University, Long Island University, the State University of New York at New Paltz, and William Patterson College.  He has traveled throughout America and Europe leading workshops, coaching ensembles, and doing artist-in-residence programs at such establishments as Jamey Aebersold's Jazz Camp and Clark Terry's Institute of Jazz Studies, as well as teaching classes at schools from kindergarten through high school level.  In addition, Lynn works with many private students.

Demand for Lynn's talents has led to work alongside innumerable outstanding musicians, including: Toshiko Akioshi, Ernestine Anderson, Buck Clayton, Al Cohn, Kenny Drew Jr., Sweets Edison, Herb Ellis, Frank Foster, Freddy Green, Jeff Hamilton, Scott Hamilton, Thad Jones, Mel Lewis, Marian McPartland, Mark Murphy, Ken Peplowski, Jimmy Raney, Emily Remler, Diane Schuur, Bud Shank, Carol Sloane, Marvin "Smitty" Smith, Maxine Sullivan, Frank Wess, Joe Williams, Nancy Wilson, and Teddy Wilson.  Additionally, Lynn has worked in jingle studios, performed in pit orchestras, and performed with the Cincinnati Pops Orchestra.  He has also performed for television broadcasts including CBS Sunday Morning, the Bill Cosby Show, Japanese, Dutch, and German National Television, and for radio broadcasts on stations including NPR and several European stations.  Mr. Seaton has performed in over 100 recording sessions, including the Grammy Award winning Dianne Schuur and the Count Basie Orchestra, and the Grammy nominated Woody Herman 50th Anniversary.  His critically acclaimed recording Bassman's Basement is available on Timeless Records, and Kendor Press recently published his book Jazz Solos for Bass.

Lynn Seaton currently resides in Denton, TX where he teaches at the University of North Texas, and leads his own trio.

[Visit Lynn Seaton's website.]