Leon (Lee) Norris, 95, a member of Local 802 since 1956, died on July 13, 2024.

Mr. Norris was a pianist, composer, arranger and conductor, whose music gave pleasure to audiences for over 50 years. He worked with top ensembles throughout the United States and Canada, including the Montreal, Sarasota and Pittsburgh orchestras. He was the musical director of the National Dance Institute, founded by Jacques d’Amboise. He also arranged for the Canadian Brass and was friends with longtime Canadian Brass member Ronnie Romm, who told Allegro, “Lee and I shared a musical career for 50 years. It was a great friendship, and we were more like brothers. I miss him, and he will be well remembered. We’ll continue to play Lee’s arrangements!”

During his career, Mr. Norris collaborated with many singers, bandleaders, entertainers, actors and stars, including everyone from Diahann Carroll to John Davidson to Allan Sherman. He served as the musical director for Bob McGrath, the “Sesame Street” actor, who had a separate career performing children’s concerts.

“Lee was gregarious and curious,” said his friend Wally Dunbar. “He was a lifelong friend who I could always talk to and have a good time with.”

Mr. Norris was also proud of his time with the Buffalo Philharmonic’s jazz series, where he got to work with Oscar Peterson and Gerry Mulligan. His friend Sonny Kompanek said, “Lee and I had a lot of good talks together. He was always supportive of my own music and I tried to be just as supportive to him. It was a very enjoyable musical relationship that lasted over 40 years.”

Mr. Norris will be missed by his daughter; son-in-law; daughter-in-law; his granddaughter and her partner; his two grandsons; his great-granddaughter; and his two nephews and their families.

He will also be remembered fondly by his special friend Julet Tavares, who told Allegro that she “loved Lee with all my heart. I wish he was still here, and I will never stop loving him.”

Mr. Norris is also survived by his many friends, including Wally Dunbar, Sonny Kompanek, Ronnie Romm and Aaron Romm.