Coming from a musical family, Stephen climbed up on the piano bench at age 5 and went about making noise until it started to sound like music. Dad built a booster seat (pedal technique would have to come much later) and everyone put up with hours of attempts at piano playing and silly songs of love from a rugrat.
With help from his older brothers he was soon playing "Alright Now" and other 70s classics in a sibling band at talent competitions that they always managed to win 2nd place in.
Having written several Billy Joel and Elton John influenced songs it was clear Stephen was not going to stop playing music so Mom found a piano teacher. Forced by Mom with an egg timer to practice an hour or more everyday, Stephen soon knew the joy of Moch (Mozart/Bach), recitals and achieving goals with some discipline.
At age 11 the family moved from Memphis, TN to Nashville, Mom foolishly continued to support Stephen's disorder by enrolling him in Blair School of Music at Vanderbilt where Roland Schneller taught him how to keep from damaging his fingers while playing fast.
In his early teens, Stephen became interested in Jazz music and he suffers from this horrible affliction to this day. The family (well, more than half) moved to Waltham, MA, again Mom continued to believe in and support Stephen by enrolling him in weekend classes at New England Conservatory of Music. There he learned a lot about endless noodling and being a big fish in a small pond. He also began to understand why he hears things certain ways which made him feel superior and awesome.
At age 15 the family escaped aliens and drove across the U.S. to Los Angeles, CA. Mom continued her insane commitment to Stephen having a musical education by enrolling him in a weekly workshop called "The LA Jazz Workshop". Finally Stephen was humbled playing piano for Jazz Big Bands and small groups...he got to play with Louis Bellson, one of the most amazing experiences of his life that has been completely useless to his career or even as a name drop in most circles.
As Stephen continued to skip and barely pass classes in high school his Mom discovered another music school, Dick Grove School of Music. He let high school take a backseat, of course, and Dick Grove taught him the 'secrets' to being able to learn any song faster than most anyone else. This skill has served Stephen very well in $50 a song sessions and $75 a night Top40 country gigs. Stephen also learned to orchestrate for 40 piece big band but used this skill so often he might not remember how to do it.
Stephen LeBlanc went on to work for hip hop rappers, r&b crooners and heavy metal bands...some very successful at the time (until destroyed by crack and other joyful substances). But he couldn't quite break through like he'd dreamed and became rather jaded at the young age of 23. He quit the music business, quit playing piano (for 5 years), worked a day job for 10 years, bought an electric guitar and proceeded to pretend he was Jimi Hendrix with his brother Tom and nephew Nick whenever possible.
This bio could get even more detailed and I do love talking about myself in the 3rd person but it would then be a tragedy. Stephen LeBlanc avoids emo trends almost as much as success.
Some projects I've performed and/or recorded with...
currently:
A Fine Frenzy
major label release "One Cell in the Sea" - piano, rhodes, synthesizer, hammond b3, vibraphone, glockenspiel
Performed with A Fine Frenzy on: The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Late Show with David Letterman, Last Call with Carson Daly, The CBS Early Show and more.
in the present and past:
Julianne Hough (Jimmy Kimmel Show and DWTS), Slow Car Crash, Raymone Carter, Ron Aniello, Philip Claypool, Hengee, Katisse Buckingham, Meal Ticket, Rio Grand, Nick Hall, Kirsten Taylor, Alon, LA Jazz Workshop, Huge Killer Bats, Confusion, Robert White, Leslie Knickrehm, JAMFREE and more
Julianne Hough on Jimmy Kimmel
A Fine Frenzy on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno:
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A Fine Frenzy on The Late Show with David Letterman:
A Fine Frenzy - Live in Baden-Baden, DE 9/18/08
A Fine Frenzy at Motel Mozaique Festival in Rotterdam
A Fine Frenzy - "Borrowed Time" Live on TV in Vienna:
A Fine Frenzy - "Whisper" in Salt Lake City, UT:
-----------------------Tribute site for Dad - Leo LeBlanc
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