Chicago based jazz guitarist, Lee Rothenberg was born in Philadelphia, PA and started playing guitar at the age of 14 after studying classical piano for 8 years.  His obsession with jazz began at age 16 after spending a summer at Interlochen Arts Camp, where he devoted many hours listening to Wes Montgomery, Miles Davis, and John Coltrane in the music library.  He moved to Evanston, IL in 2000 to attend the prestigious Northwestern University where he studied with jazz pianist Mike Kocour and jazz guitarist Bobby Broom.

Since graduating from Northwestern in 2004 with a Bachelor of the Arts degree, guitarist Lee Rothenberg has emerged as an in-demand leader and sideman in the Chicago jazz scene. Noted for a style that is deeply rooted in the jazz guitar tradition, Lee’s playing exhibits the sacred elements of melody, swing, and creativity.  

Lee has performed as both a leader and sideman at venues such as The Green Mill, Andy's Jazz Club, The Jazz Showcase, The Jazz Estate (Milwaukee, WI), The Blue Llama (Ann Arbor, MI), Caffe Vivace (Cincinnati, OH), Bop Stop (Cleveland, OH) and Nocturne (Denver, CO)  with a venerable list of artists including Dennis Carroll, Greg Rockingham, George Fludas, Greg Ward, Dan Trudell, Randy Brecker, and Ira Sullivan.  During the 2015 Chicago Jazz Festival, Lee was a featured soloist with the Chicago Jazz Orchestra in a performance at Jay Pritzker Pavilion, which was a tribute to the great jazz composer, Billy Strayhorn.  He also performed with various groups during the 2017 and 2019 Chicago Jazz Festivals and joined the Chicago Jazz Orchestra again in 2018 for a tribute to singer Nancy Wilson at the Studebaker theater.  Lee also recorded the critically acclaimed jazz guitar trio record for world-class guitarist Bobby Broom, “The Way I Play (2008).”  In 2014, Lee earned a master’s degree in Jazz Studies from DePaul University. He currently teaches jazz guitar at Harold Washington College. He is a former member of Soul Message band, a B3 organ trio led by organ legend, Chris Foreman, and also a member of  DC and The Love, led by world-class bassist, Dennis Carroll.