Lee Vincent

Lee Vincent was one of Luzerne County’s most charismatic personalities. Originally a child prodigy, Vincent grew up to become a legend in two distinct fields: music and media. His contributions to both have given Luzerne County residents important sounds and, by sharing his own passions, Vincent successfully broadened the sonic atmosphere of Luzerne County.

Born Vincent Lee Cerreta in 1916, Lee Vincent learned to play the violin and stand-up bass as a child and formed his first ensemble, the John Tearpock Band, at age 11. As a young man, Vincent would work in the daytime and play music at local establishments in the evening. In doing so, he established himself early on as a versatile person and performer, a consistent theme of his career.

Vincent served his country in World War II, which had the unlikely side effect of helping his music career along. While many in the entertainment world saw their careers deflate or take a backseat during the war, Vincent made an important musical connection. He met and played with the legendary big band leader Glenn Miller around the time of his service.

In Europe, Vincent’s music picked up fans of royal proportions, namely Leopold III of Belgium. Back in the United States, Vincent continued his music career after the war by starting up a few more bands, including the Lee Vincent Orchestra. Other bands bearing his name, the Lee Vincent Band and the Lee Vincent Trio, also sprouted up during the postwar era.

In February 1951, a monumental moment in Luzerne County’s musical history took place, with Vincent playing a key role in its success. The event was the inaugural Cavalcade of Dixieland Jazz festival on Wilkes-Barre’s Public Square. Vincent and his fellow musicians played from 6 p.m. until the wee hours of the following morning. The jazz festival was the first of its kind in the United States (even preceding the Newport Jazz Festival) and was memorialized with a plaque in Wilkes-Barre.

Though big band music is the genre Vincent is most associated with, his performances often transcended genre restrictions. During his career, he shared stages with some of the greats of 20th century pop, including Nat King Cole, Aretha Franklin, the Four Tops, the Temptations and Smokey Robinson.

Vincent’s popularity as a musician extended well beyond Northeast Pennsylvania, but he still found time to play locally at events like the Fine Arts Fiesta. Vincent was disillusioned with life as a traveling musician, so these local shows were often his preferred venue. Many artists have sought to expand their notoriety by moving to large cities, but Vincent became a respected musician worldwide from the comfort of his native region.

Vincent’s career in the media is almost as iconic as his musicianship. He took roles at WILK and WBAX, positions that saw him cross paths with several of Luzerne County's most influential entertainers. His work in radio also granted him the opportunity to spread his love of big band music across the airwaves of Northeast Pennsylvania. In doing so, he became a beloved figure in local media.

Vincent passed away in 2007, but his influence has remained strong. Not many can say that they have had an enormous influence on any one sector of the arts or entertainment world, but Lee Vincent did it — twice. His musical and media careers have individually made him worthy of praise. Together, they create a titanic legacy.