Robert L. Steele ("Lanny") (December 30, 1933 – October 21, 1994) was an American jazz pianist, educator, composer,Contemporary American Composers, A biographical dictionary, First edition. Compiled by E. Ruth Anderson. Boston: G.K. Hall & Co. (1976) and jazz festival promoter. He founded the Texas Southern University Jazz Ensemble.Jack Bowers, All About Jazz, Dec 5, 2009
Steele graduated from Lamar High School in Houston, Texas. He studied music at the University of North Texas College of Music, where he was a member of the One O'Clock Lab Band.
He was a pianist for Arnett Cobb. He taught music at Texas Southern University, where he created the TSU Jazz Ensemble. He also founded the Juneteenth Blues Festival (Houston), a commemoration of the liberation of Texan African-Americans from slavery. He helped organize the Houston Jazz Festival and was a co-founder of SUMArts.Jim Sherman, "Goodbye to Lanny Steele", Houston Press, October 22, 1994
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