
Powerful solos, subtle lines, punchy hooks - professional saxophone player with years of recording experience. Performed & recorded internationally (NYC, Nashvile, LA, Berlin, London, Edinburgh, Melbourne) with a wide variety of acts- e.g. Icehouse, Andrew Farriss (INXS), Riley Pearce. Hundreds of clients, millions of streams, major labels.
My services can be as simple as playing sax over a dance track for you to chop up as you wish, producing funky horn arrangements for an R&B tune, subtle folky ambience or the classic wailing Pop/Rock Sax solo that makes you shiver inside.
“A passionate saxophonist and innovative musician” – Andrew Farriss (INXS)
I take utmost pride in my work and won't be satisfied until you are! I have extensive recording experience through years of session work as well as producing my own records. Trained in both Jazz (ANU/UIUC) and Classical (AMusA), my music draws from a myriad of influences: Funk, Blues, and Jazz through to Pop, Rock, House and Hip Hop. Inspired by this, I constantly explore new musical avenues to discover original sounds and styles.
I am extremely versed in the nuances of online session work and conveying creative ideas remotely:
If you know exactly what you want I can help you realize that dream, taking criticism (without egos getting in the way!) until you are satisfied. And if you don't know what you're after, I am more than happy to create the parts myself.
I also play guitar, bass, EWI, synth, percussion, electric cello, recorders/flutes and can do production & film/game score. Video available upon request!
Please get in touch to discuss. Looking forward to working together!
Send me an email through 'Contact' button above and I'll get back to you asap.
Credits
292 Reviews - 53 Repeat Clients
Endorse Hugo Lee- check_circleVerified
nice solo !
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Hugo's soulful saxophone playing and pristine recordings made my track come ALIVE! Fantastic musician and super nice dude. Can't ask for a better experience on SoundBetter. Looking forward to working with him again on future projects. THANK YOU!!!
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His playing adds emotion to the track. Was easy to work with and had fast communication. Delivers what he promises and finished my project within 24hrs of first contact.
Highly recommend! - check_circleVerified
Amazing job, took the song to a whole other level! Highly recommended, will definitely be working with Hugo again in the future
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Hugo killed it and transformed my nasty iphone voice memo into a silky sax riff.
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Does a nice job and makes any needed corrections quickly.
Multi instrumentalist. - check_circleVerified
-Great communication
-Clean recordings
-Very good sound on a tough performance
-Fast delivery
Very professional. Thanks a lot man - check_circleVerified
Prompt and professional. Plenty of options to choose from. Thanks Hugo.
Mike
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Easy to work with 👍🏼
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Another great job from Hugo, perfect again! Thank you!
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Amazing saxophonist, very quick delivery and professional. Gave options of takes to choose from. Very easy to work with.
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Wow! Perfect, extraordinary quality sax by a top pro, so talented! Thank you Hugo, absolutely perfect sax playing! Extremely impressive performances and perfect recordings. I will be returning for more with other songs!
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Great experience like always!
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total pro - loved the results!
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I freaking love this guy 🥹🙏🏾❤️
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Hugo Lee is a talented professional who has quickly become a regular on my tracks. He knows how to bring the energy and sensitivity you need. Use him!
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My boy to fireeeeeee 🙏🏾
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Hugo did a great job for me. The communication was easy and he got back not long after I sent him a message. If needed I would give him a play again. Fo sho.
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Hugo is exactly what he represents, a high energy sax attack and I absolutely love it! When you need a spark, he brings it. I just like to bring him in and set him free. Bravo Hugo!
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Hugo is a master saxophonist! I needed a sax part for a song, and he quickly delivered a bunch of takes that were all fantastic and usable. Hugo has great musical instincts for finding the right attitude, growl & wail for each section of the song. I will be sending more songs his way. He’s a complete pro!
Interview with Hugo Lee
Q: Tell us about your studio setup.
A: I have a professional-grade recording setup using ProTools/Logic and a variety of microphone combinations (Rode, AKG, Shure etc) through a Focusrite Clarett 4Pre interface into a Macbook Pro. The walls are acoustically treated, and I have tertiary qualifications in audio engineering/production, delivering crisp, clean recordings that are ready for your mix.
Q: What other musicians or music production professionals inspire you?
A: Some of my favourite saxophonists include David Sanborn, Kenny Garrett, Clarence Clemons, Bobby Keys, Cannonball Adderley, Maceo Parker, Paul Desmond, Candy Dulfer and Dick Parry.
Q: What questions do customers most commonly ask you? What's your answer?
A: Q: What is your turnaround time? A: Usually under 24 hours, but please let me know if you have any deadline restrictions Q: Can you come up with the parts yourself or do I need to write them out? A: Written parts are fine, but I'm more than happy to create them myself too :-) Q: Do you do full horn sections? A: I can write/arrange full horn sections and record the saxes. I also play EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument) emulations of brass - however if you want live trumpets/trombones I can sort out players for you.
Q: Describe the most common type of work you do for your clients.
A: I'll often be given 8-16 bars to have a solo over a pre-existing track, with instructions to "fill out" some of the other sections with licks, noodling etc. Some clients request a wailing solo at a climatic point of their song, others are looking for punchy horn stabs, some are looking for smoother, subtler phrases to complement a vocal melody. Whatever the task, I put my heart and soul into the job and can adapt to any musical scenario to deliver the most stylistically appropriate result.
Q: What was your career path? How long have you been doing this?
A: I've been playing the Sax since 2004. After completing the grades, I achieved an associate diploma in the Sax at age 17, and went on to study a Bachelor of Music (Contemporary/Jazz Performance) & Bachelor of Physics (Acoustics) at the Australian National University and the University of Illinois. Other instruments I perform/record on include the guitar, keys/synth, EWI (electronic wind instrument, with brass emulations), electric cello, bass, recorder, percussion, harmonica and vocals. I've played at a wide range of festivals, weddings, clubs, bars, functions and parties and really enjoy the live aspect of my career. Recording is a joy unto itself, and I take it very seriously- paying utmost attention whenever I'm booked for a studio session as to what the producer, engineer and other musicians are doing and how we all fit together. I've been recording as long as I've been performing and have released numerous albums, singles, EPs etc. Working as an online session saxophonist is an amazing way to hone my skills whilst discovering new styles and connecting with people from all over the world.
Q: What are you working on at the moment?
A: I'm constantly working on many remote recording jobs, as well as composing/producing from my home studio for various projects and screen/videogame soundtracks. It's always a real pleasure working for all of my SoundBetter clients and helping them to realise their musical goals!
Q: Is there anyone on SoundBetter you know and would recommend to your clients?
A: Whilst I play saxes and EWI brass emulation, if you want the real deal with trumpet/trombone, Kelly O'Donohue is an excellent musician and recording artist. For Pop production, check out Aubrey Whitfield!
Q: What questions do you ask prospective clients?
A: Any specific sections to play over (min:sec) or across the whole track? Any reference tracks? These are always great, but by no means necessary
Q: What's the biggest misconception about what you do?
A: ...that the client needs to know what they're looking for in a saxophone recording. It's fine if they do, but it's absolutely no problem at all for me to work out how the sax will best complement a track.
Q: What's your 'promise' to your clients?
A: To give their track the attention to detail it deserves, and provide my full commitment to deliver my best on every take!
Q: What advice do you have for a customer looking to hire a provider like you?
A: Delve into the demo material, read the reviews and description and work out who would be best for your track.
Q: Can you share one music production tip?
A: Less is more.
Q: What do you bring to a song?
A: In any musical scenario, I strive to bring out the best of the music by complementing the artist's ideas. Sometimes it's just a soft, sustained note. Sometimes it's a crazy wailing solo. I use my ears to determine what will improve the overall aesthetic of the track.
Q: What type of music do you usually work on?
A: Over many years working as a remote session saxophonist, my clients have provided me with tracks ranging through Pop, Hip Hop, Rock, EDM, Funk, Jazz, Electronic, World, Metal, Folk, Classical, Blues and much more. I'm comfortable in all different genres and am always excited to work on new sounds!
Q: What's your strongest skill?
A: Listening to what the music needs.
Q: What's your typical work process?
A: I'll listen carefully to the song to get an idea of where it goes and how I could contribute to it. I make sure that I'm not just playing for the sake of playing! Then I'll do a variety of different takes, so the client has different ideas to work with (loud vs soft, long notes vs faster passages etc). If I have specific instructions, I'll make sure that there are takes where I do exactly as asked...then I'll also delve into my own interpretations to provide an extra perspective, should it be needed. Sometimes, the client leaves me to take the reins in which case I use my many years of online recording experience to create the best and most appropriate sound for their track.
Q: What do you like most about your job?
A: Being able to play music all the time, meeting and working with amazing people (whether face-to-face or online) and being part of the creative process. The feeling of having a finished product that was once just a few notes drifting around your head late at night is a hard one to beat.
Q: How would you describe your style?
A: I strive to be as versatile as possible, for the benefit of both myself and others. I'm originally classically trained and I've studied jazz at university too. But throughout my whole life, I've also loved the pop/rock idiom and all of its offshoots. These influences are all present in my playing. You'll have to get in touch to find out more!

I was the Saxophonist in this production
- Hugo Lee Sax Reel
- Funky Chill Sax Jam
- Brooding Sax
- Four-part Sax harmony
- SaxophoneAverage price - $100 per song
- Electric GuitarContact for pricing
- Keyboards - SynthContact for pricing
- Full instrumental productionContact for pricing
- Game AudioContact for pricing
- Film ComposerContact for pricing
- Sound DesignContact for pricing
I am flexible and easy to work with and will happily revise where necessary! Please credit me in your track and send over a link once finished. Any external contracts to be provided before job starts.
- Yanagisawa Alto & Tenor
- Rode/AKG/Shure mics
- Fender Tele & Jazz Bass
- Akai EWI5000 Electronic Wind Instrument
- Pro Tools/Logic
- Focusrite Clarett
- Macbook Pro
- Yamaha HS8 monitors
- Sennheiser Headphones. Reel backings 0:25/2:27/4:42 by fantommuzik
Discounts available for multiple tracks - please get in touch to discuss!