Kevin Leon - ProfilesArchive

About Me

I am a drum set player available for any recording sessions, live shows, or any sort of musical situation in which someone is in need of a drummer. I will play any type of music and will play what is called for in the situation. I currently play with the local jazz/funk/pop band, 2-Funk, and the local R&B/funk/disco band, Living Dreams. I am also fairly regular member of the local jazz/funk group, New School Jazz Messengers, and the local funk/jam group, The Stop. I also do a lot of jazz pick-up work with the likes of Mart Avant, Tom Wolfe, Gary Wheat, Jason Bailey, Chris Kozak, Jonathan Noffsinger, Carlos Pino, Todd Brasher, Dan Western, Omari Thomas, Matt Wiley, Thomas Furlow, Matt Bradley, Roy Yarbrough, Joe Carnaggio, Allen Barlow, Steve Roberts, Abe Becker, Rob Alley, Nathan Holloway, and more, and give private drum set lessons. I have studied drum set under Russ Maddox and Mark Lanter, and am currently studying under Chris Fryar (drummer with Oteil and Peacemakers). I have also taken various lessons from Matt Devine, Scott Simpson, Aaron Goldberg, and Gary Wheat, and am in pursuit of a music degree at UAB. If you are interested in contacting me, you can do so through Myspace, or you can e-mail me at [email protected].

My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 9/2/2006
Band Members: Kevin Leon - drums & percussion
Influences: Family, friends, my creator, Tony Williams, Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, Elvin Jones, Tool, Ari Hoenig, Max Roach, Jack DeJohnette, Louis Armstrong, Mark Guiliana, Avishai Cohen, Charles Mingus, Jaco Pastrious, Vinnie Colaiuta, Chick Corea, Steve Gadd, Thelonious Monk, John Coltrane, Freddie Hubbard, Philly Joe Jones, Buddy Rich, Shadow Wilson, Tootie Heath, Bill Evans, Paul Motian, Roy Haynes, Joe Lovano, Pat Metheny, Wes Montgomery, Weather Report, Sonny Rollins, Dizzy Gillespie, Charlie Parker, Soil & Pimp, Medeski Martin & Wood, John Scofield, Larry Goldings, Jim Hall, Keith Jarrett, Jonathan Kreisberg, James Brown, Michael Brecker, Bill Stewart, Jim Black, Clifford Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, Art Blakey, Metallica, King Crimson, Symphony X, Mark Lanter, Dr. Gene Fambrough, Michael Glaser, Chris Fryar, Mark Kimbrell, Carlos Pino, Scott Simpson, Aaron Goldberg, Matt Devine, Tommy Stewart, Gary Wheat, Omari Thomas, Matt Bradley, Harry Miree, Umphrey’s Mcgee, A Perfect Circle, Brian Blade, Joshua Redman, Jimmy Cobb, Gregg Bissonette, John Pattituci, Jean-Michel Pilc, Beethoven, Led Zeppelin, Jessi Bristow, anyone I’ve ever played with, Kenny Werner, meditation, and so on...
Sounds Like: A drummer who can play as needed to fit any style of music.
Type of Label: None

My Blog

I’m back Birmingham...sort of

For anyone who cares, I just want to say that I am no longer going to Tuscaloosa. I am staying here in Birmingham, so, to anyone who may need a drummer and/or cuddle buddy, I will be here in the...
Posted by Kevin Leon on Thu, 10 Jan 2008 06:00:00 PST

TOOL rhythmic device

I saw TOOL at the Oak Mountain Ampitheatre on Saturday and got really inspired, so, I transcribed this groove from a song called "Rosetta Stoned" from their latest album called 10,000 D...
Posted by Kevin Leon on Tue, 29 May 2007 10:45:00 PST

Drum stuff...

I was recently having problems comping at fast tempos in jazz or swing settings, and found a way to sort of overcome it, so I thought I'd share it. Firstly, you have to be able to put the up-tem...
Posted by Kevin Leon on Wed, 09 May 2007 11:30:00 PST