Abi Lee is a pianist, composer, and improviser based in Naarm/Melbourne, Australia. Born to Korean parents, Abi grew up in Auckland, New Zealand. Since the age of 5, her love for piano and music has always been a driving force for her. She relocated to Melbourne, drawn by her love of Australian Jazz and studies at the Victorian College of the Arts with Stephen Magnusson, Andrea Keller and Barney McAll. Abi is always exploring the endless possibilities in improvisation and focusing on expanding her thinking in art.

Abi has been awarded several prizes and scholarships such as the Will Poskitt Piano Scholarship (2023), the Graham Coyle Prize (2022), the Ronald William Capron Prize (2022), the Lady Turner Prize (2022), Most Oustanding Soloist at the Auckland Jazz and Blues Competition (2021) and Most Oustanding Pianist at the New Zealand School of Music Jazz Project (2019).

Abi frequently can be seen as a performer showcasing her own originals and other notable musicians’ projects around Australia. She has opened for a Japanese pianist, Sumire Kuribayashi as part of the Melbourne Women’s Jazz Festival (2022) and 2023 Take Note Leader, Cheryl Durongpisitkul at the Melbourne International Jazz Festival (2023).

Abi is also an educator around Naarm, sharing her knowledge and love for music and improvisation.

Abi

Abi