Lee Pattison

Lee Pattison (July 22, 1890, in Grand Rapids, Wisconsin – December 22, 1966, in Claremont, California) was a noted American pianist, composer, arranger, opera director, and teacher.

[1] Lee Pattison Recital Hall at Scripps College in Claremont, California, is named for him.

[5] After Maier and Pattison heard a two-piano performance by Harold Bauer (1873–1951) and Ossip Gabrilowitsch (1878–1936), they began to play together.

[4] When the United States entered World War I, Pattison joined the infantry, and Maier volunteered for the entertainment service of the YMCA.

After the armistice, they gave a recital in Paris that was attended by President Woodrow Wilson and French Premier Georges Clemenceau.

As their reputation grew, they became known as “The Piano Twins.”[4] In 1931, they announced a “friendly split” and embarked on a farewell tour of the United States.

[7] In March 1937, Maier and Pattison joined in a reunion concert on the stage of the Works Progress Administration Theatre of Music in New York.

As evidence of the affection and respect in which he was held at Scripps, the trustees named the Lee Pattison Recital Hall in his honor.