Jean E. Lee

Jean Elizabeth Coston Maloney (May 10, 1916 – April 20, 1968) also known as Jean Lee, was an American pianist and music teacher. She taught piano at Howard University, Spelman College, Dillard University and Lincoln University. Her students included musicologist Geneva Handy Southall and jazz pianist Ellis Marsalis Jr.

Early life and education Coston was born in Indianapolis, the daughter of George Ellsworth Coston and Frances Berry Coston. Her mother was a journalist and educator. She attended Attucks High School, She was a member of Delta Sigma Theta.

Career Coston played for national meetings of the NAACP and the National Association of Negro Musicians as a child. She was mentioned in The Crisis when she was twelve years old,

Coston gave recitals in Atlanta in 1940, and in Knoxville in 1941. "Miss Coston displayed a pleasing tone, dexterity, and fine shading," wrote Atlanta critic Gamewell Valentine in 1940. She also performed in radio broadcasts. In 1949 and 1953, she was guest soloist with the New Orleans Symphony Orchestra, playing for a non-segregated audience.

Coston taught piano at Spelman College in 1939, and Howard University in Washington, D.C., and at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania, who studied with her from 1950 to 1951, and Geneva Handy Southall (at Dillard).

Personal life Coston married physician Arnold Hamilton Maloney Jr. in 1942.