René McLean

Who is René McLean?

René McLean is a hard bop saxophonist and flutist. He was born in New York City. He started playing guitar before receiving an alto saxophone and instruction from his stepfather, noted alto saxophonist Jackie McLean.

McLean played in the mid-'70s in a quintet with Woody Shaw and Louis Hayes and toured with Hugh Masekela in 1978.

He later studied music at New York College of Music and the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Renè received the Creative Artist Fellowship by the Japan-U.S. Friendship Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts in 1986 to reside in Japan to research traditional Japanese music, arts & culture as well as to perform and teach. He has recorded extensively and also has thorough experience as a music educator in the United States and South Africa.

Born in New York City, René McLean, multi-reed instrumentalist, composer, band leader, educator and producer, began his musical training at the age of 9 under the tutelage and guidance of his stepfather, alto saxophonist and educator Jackie McLean. René made his debut with Jackie McLean's band in the mid-1960s as well as leading his own bands. René McLean's debut as a band leader and producer began at the age of 16 in 1963.