Leon & The Peoples, an International Reggae and World Music Award (IRAWMA) nominee for their CD, “The Road Less Traveled” and one of New York's hottest rising bands, successfully completed their first North American tour with reggae greats Beres Hammond and Marcia Griffiths with many sold-out dates as part of the “For The Love of It Tour”. Many sold out venues included House of Blues in LA, Chicago and San Diego; Hard Rock Live in Orlando; The Docks in Toronto; BB Kings in NYC; and The Roxy in Boston and most recently the 2011 Aspen Jazz Fest (read review). Leon & The Peoples features top-notch musical talent, high energy live performances and a commitment to bringing their Reggae-Soul sound to a world wide audience. The band has developed a strong following, especially amongst women. The Peoples Band features top-notch musical talent, high energy live performances and a commitment to sharing their reggae-soul sound and spirit to a world wide audience. Leon passionatley leads the band with his smooth and sultry vocals to heart felt lyrics, many of which he has written. THE BAND MEMBERS Lead singer & songwriter: Leon Leon, multi-talented performer, continues to please his fans and sway newcomers with his memorable performances as an actor and singer. Leon has been named one of the Top 30 Sexiest Actors of All Time by AOL Black Voices. In 2008, Leon had fans and critics buzzing with his provocative turn in 20th Century’s Fox much talked about thriller COVER directed by Bill Duke (“Cover” was released in theaters 2/22/08 with the DVD release 5/20/08), a national touring schedule for the Je’Caryous Johnson’s play 3 Ways to Get a Husband, and in 2009 stared in the Indie comedy The Brooklyn Heist, directed by Jullian Kiel (Winner Best Comedy Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival). Leon also stars in Robert Townsend’s new series Diary of A Single Mom debuting 1/27/09 on PIC.TV. Leon was a featured performer at the 2008 Cannabis Cup in Amsterdam and was a frequent surprise guest on Beres Hammond’s 2008 “A Moment in Time” US tour & 2010 North American Tour. Leon is the opening act for the 2010 Stony Awards, celebrating the Highest moments in Film & Television. His early years in Mt. Vernon, NY were filled with music of his father singing Nat King Cole or Motown songs, but a special cord was struck inside him when he first heard friends introduced him to Rastafarian culture and he has found it his home ground to return again and again. Leon balances his array of talent between all medium, but it is evident that his first connection was with reggae which is evident when he performs with “Leon and the Peoples.” Leon says “I was always more comfortable with that style because of the sultriness of the style -- incorporates soul, gospel, dance … everything which I love… it made me want to sing.” The “Young Lions,” the first musical group Leon performed with, opened the door to his live musical performances, but once he started singing original tunes, he knew where he wanted to go, which led to the formation of “Leon and the Peoples.” Many fans first were wowed by his appearance in Madonna’s video “Like a Prayer,” but more and more fans flocked to the theatres to see him in Disney’s blockbuster hit “Cool Runnings”. He soon graced many excellent storylines such as “Above the Rim,” “Cliffhanger,” “Waiting to Exhale,” HBO’s “Oz,” and “Crossing Jordan.” During 2004 – 2005, Leon crossed the country while packing houses performing in the theatrical version of New York Times best-selling novel “Friends and Lovers” where he sang the feature cut from the CD “Road Less Traveled” titled “Will You Be My Wife.” Leon had made his film singing debut playing a reggae singer in “The Price of Kissing,” in which he produced and starred in and sang a memorable rendition of “Daddy’s Home.” He proceeded to further his musical roles in the dramas of Robert Townsend’s “Five Heartbeats,” “The Temptations,” as David Ruffin and the authorized biography of “Little Richard” as Little Richard himself. Leon was also in Merchant Ivory’s “Side Streets” and Miramax’s “Buffalo Soldiers” and his memorable cameo role in Michael Mann’s “Ali.” Leon continued attracting fans when he hosted and produced BET’s “L-Bow Room.”Bass Guitar: Lyndon "ACE" Webb Imagine the dub sounds of reggae mixed with the smooth sounds of R&B, add the cutting edge sounds of rock and you have..... the Jamaican bass player simply known as "Ace". Lyndon Webb, aka "Ace" has performed world wide and has been a producer and engineer for many artists. Ace is always ready for a JAM session and loves mixing his native reggae with all other types of music. Electric Saxaphone: Curtis Bailey Curtis has played every major venue in New York City from Town Hall to The Village Gate and even Carnege Hall. He has spent several years writing and producing tracks for various artists and doing session work. As a member of "unity Two", a recording and touring Hip-Hop fusion band, signed to the Warner Brothers label, Curtis performed world wide. A testiment to his versatility, curtis has also been the musical director for an off broadway play entitled "Tomorrow". Lead/background vocals: Leslie Rochelle Leslie’s professional music career began in Detroit in 1997. During that time she performed for Carnival Cruise Lines, on the Fantasy Cruise ship traveling between Cape Canaveral, Florida and Nassau, Bahamas. By 2001 she was working with the Skillet Band playing the best of rock and roll hits and oldies at the Motor City and the MGM Grand Casinos in Detroit. She moved to New York in 2002 and became a featured singer with The Otis Funkmeyer Band performing throughout New York City. She’s been singing with Leon and the Peoples since 2005. The Metro Detroit native sites the array of incredible musicians from Motown Records along with Chaka Khan and Prince as her biggest influences. Her Rock and Soul background blends perfectly with reggae influences to contribute to the Reggae Soul vibe of Leon and the Peoples. Background Vocals: Patrice Anthony Patrice began her musical career singing gospel music at the age of 14, singing in chiors along with Freddie Jackson and Paul Michael Lawrence. Patrice amjored in music at C.W Post and formed a band called "Just Us" in 1979. Performing extensively across the U.S and released an independant album called "Just Us". Recent credits include vocals on the Ellen Degeneris Show as well as American Express commercials which show her versatility. Background Vocals: Cathy "Alexis" Layne Alexis layne, born in Queens, Ny to Dominican, French and Trinidadian parents was raised in a culturally diverse family with a love for music and the arts. Alexis was introduced to all kinds of music from R&B to Rock and Reggae. Alexis writes and performes with passion and offers a wide range of vocal skills and has performed in the off Broadway gospel musical "Passion He Lives" produced and directed by Jsy Hamilton in NYC. Rohan "mixroh" Dyer From singing and playing in the church to attending arts highschool in Newark, NJ, Rohan formed J(urzy)-Stylz, a four part harmony group with three other class mates. J(urzy)-Stylz performed and appeared at numerous local talent shows and show cases. Rohan later attended IAR (institute of audio research) where he recieved a more in-deph look at music production. An up and coming producer, Rohan serves Leon and the peoples as their official roadie. |
The Huffington Post: LEON & THE PEOPLES Rock Aspen Jazz Fest  GET UPDATES FROM Anita Thompson
Leon and the Peoples, was a welcome surprise to the already happy fans of Michael Franti and Zac Brown as they packed the dance floor with fans from across the country. Leon and the Peoples, a 2007 International Reggae and World Music Award (IRAWMA) nominee and one New York City's hottest rising bands has successfully completed their first North America Tour, in front of other sold-out venues including House of Blues, Hard Rock Live, The Docks in Toronto, BB Kings, NYC, The Roxy in Boston and this Sunday, in the Aspen Valley.
Leon and the Peoples, that is, Leon and his band of seven musicians, smiled and waved as the crowd grew more and more dense with energy rising and audience singing and shouting for more.
First thing I noticed was the involvement Leon had with his audience. By the end of his third song, he had the entire stage filled with cheering festival-goers, some who appeared to be self-appointed go-go dancers. Others, just happy to have such good, live soul music in the house. One member of the audience, New Orleans native Bridget Balentine, who has lived in the valley for decades with her husband, deputy fire chief Rick Balentine, danced and swayed to the music with a smile on her face. She is no stranger to live soul music either. She returns to her native Jazz Fest and Mardi Gras every year during breaks from the Balentine Collection business. When I asked her about the show, Bridget said "this is great -- real earthy energy. You can feel the soul coming through." The day after the show, chilling by the river in Woody Creek, I asked Leon for his take on the festival. "It's a very well run festival and I was impressed -- impressed with the stage and the entire grounds. People had fun. At a festival, you've got to be free to do what you want. It was very diverse." Also, why was he so adamant about having access to his audience? It turns out that Leon happens to be a professional actor as well (30 hours away from a plane to start rehearsals of his new play debuting in Washington DC, titled Why Do Good Girl Like Bad Boyz). "One thing about me, " Leon said "spending so many years as an actor, going to so many concerts, I always wondered what I would want to see. I thought I'd like to see more interaction with the crowd, let them know that I'm signing with them." Indeed! |
