Born December 23, 1974, in Washington, DC, Saxophonist / Improviser / Composer Brian Lee Settles attended the Duke Ellington School of the Arts (studying with Davey S. Yarborough) and later earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the New School University in New York, NY (studying with Arnie Lawrence). In 2008 he received a master of music from Howard University in Washington, DC (studying with Charlie Young) and toured Japan with the Howard University Jazz Ensemble (HUJE), under the direction of Fred Irby III.

As an educator, Brian is a professor of saxophone at the Washington Jazz Arts Institute (WJAI), where he also serves as assistant director to Davey Yarborough (President).