Who is Timothy Lea?

Timothy Lea is a Houston-based saxophonist, composer, and bandleader creating music rooted in contemporary jazz and modern Black American musical traditions. His work centers tone, intention, and collective energy, using improvisation and groove as vehicles for storytelling and connection. Timothy Lea’s sound blends modern jazz language with elements of neo-soul, rhythm, and atmosphere. Influenced by artists such as Braxton Cook and Christian Scott aTunde Adjuah, his music balances lyricism and edge—combining groove-driven foundations with expansive harmonic and textural ideas. Timothy Lea approaches performance as a living process rather than a fixed presentation. His music leaves room for risk, responsiveness, and collective exchange, allowing each performance to evolve naturally while remaining grounded in a clear sonic identity. Timothy Lea presents performances in jazz clubs, cultural spaces, theaters, and festival stages. His sets translate across environments—from focused listening rooms to large-scale outdoor stages—while maintaining nuance, dynamics, and emotional clarity. Lea’s music resonates with audiences drawn to forward-thinking jazz, groove-centered improvisation, and emotionally present performance. His ability to build community through consistent programming allows him to connect with both dedicated jazz listeners and broader contemporary audiences.

Timothy Lea’s mission is to contribute to the ongoing evolution of jazz by honoring its roots while engaging contemporary sound, culture, and community. Through performance and curation, he seeks to create spaces where reflection, movement, and shared experience coexist.

Notable Performances & Residencies

• Extended residency at MOTH, Houston

• Headlined performance at Monk’s, Austin, Texas

• Extended residency at Neighbors, Houston

• Stevie Wonder–inspired tribute performance

• Multiple featured performance dates at Axelrad, Houston