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Russell Leon Band

About Me


The Russell Leon Band released its debut album, If Red Was Green, on April 26. Recorded at The Rogue Studios in Toronto and produced by Geoffrey McPeek (formerly of Daddys of Eden and Brule Sound Pharmacy), the CD features 11 original songs that take the listener on an irresistible ride through a range of musical styles and emotions.

Opening with "I Want Your Love," the band sets up a jazzy feel that melds into the blues groove of "Loopy." "Friday" is a straight-up rocker, while "The Beginning of the End" is a heart-felt folk ballad. "Cuba" spices things up with a Latin vibe and "The Wild" draws on reggae and funk to tell an environmental tale.



The Russell Leon Band has opened for legendary performers Leon Russell and Ike Turner, in addition to playing numerous festivals and benefit concerts. As well as maintaining a busy performance schedule, Russell produces and hosts Songwriters Unite! , a collective of more than 400 singer/songwriters across North America.



Russell spent his early years travelling across Canada and the USA. When he was six, he and his mother settled on a commune in the Ottawa Valley where they lived without electricity or running water. "It gave me a real appreciation for the arts," explains Russell. "I had no TV or electricity, so spending time with my guitar and friends made me a musician."

Russell moved to Toronto in order to study music at York University. Intensive studies, busking on the street, and playing in clubs immersed him in the city's cultural diversity, expanding his musical landscape and inspiring him as a songwriter. In 2000, Russell released a self-titled six-song EP.

Getting people involved with his music is key for Russell. "When you play live and connect with a person who says, 'I had that experience in 'The Beginning Of The End.' I fell in love with this girl and she didn't love me.' When you connect with people that way," explains Russell, "it's hugely rewarding." Making an impact lyrically while getting people on their feet in a live setting is no easy task, but the Russell Leon Band accomplishes exactly that.


Thanks to everyone who came out to our video release party. The video for 'The Beginning of the End' from the album IF RED WAS GREEN is now online. Enjoy!


My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 11/05/2006
Band Website: http://www.rleonband.com
Band Members: Russell Leon
- lead vox & guitars
Marcus Walker
- bass & backing vox
Larry Kline
- drums & backing vox
Ansgar Schroer
- harmonicas & congas
Brian Elkin
- trumpet & keys
Keith Reid
- saxophone & percussion
Influences: We (beatles) have (marley) so (stevie) many (phish) influences (police) that (dylan) it's (jimi) impossible (johnny) to (jack johnson) just (satchmo) list (santana) them (pogues) all (spirit of the west) especially (stompin' tom) since (bach) many (white stripes) of (beck) them (who) are (miles) not (meters) specific (grateful dead) people (bird) or (cat stevens) groups (stray cats) but (animals) rather (brahms) melodies (liona) and (prince) harmonies (fela) and (bela) rhythms (k-os) and (wyclef) styles (duke) and (radiohead) moods (marvin) and (jb) memories (sabbath) and (ramones) attitudes (floyd) and (dizzy) atmospheres (rem) and (coldplay) thoughts (trane) and (van) places (segovia) where (muddy waters) we've (ben harper) been (talking heads) but (bruce) hopefully (bruce) when (billy) we (billy) play (neil) our (joni) songs (jaco) for (leonard) you (raffi) some (genesis) of (chano pozo) the (acdc) other (bnl) musical (ccr) artists (mmw) we (g love) like (u2) come (zep) through (doors) subliminally.
Sounds Like: Depends which song...
Type of Label: Major

My Blog

RLB snags two TIMA nominations

Russell Leon Band has been nominated for the 2008 Toronto Independent Music Awards - twice!  We got nods in the "Best Live - Electric" and "Best Blues" categories.  The award prese...
Posted by on Sun, 20 Jul 2008 21:37:00 GMT

Trip to Killaloe and CD release 2

The band just got back from a road trip to Russell's hometown and a special gig to release "If Red Was Green" to all his fans up there.  We had great hospitality in Killaloe from Dr. Ellie, ...
Posted by on Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:23:00 GMT

CD release party!!

That's right, spring is almost here and it's time to welcome new birth and creation.  Our brand new CD, If Red Was Green, will be released on April 26 at Lula Lounge in Toronto.  See the pos...
Posted by on Fri, 09 Mar 2007 16:55:00 GMT

Back from the Funny Farm

We had a short but sweet weekend up north - jamming, rehearsing, playing "scratch frisbee", etc.  Got back into town just in time to host the Songwriters Unite! benefit for Sick Children's H...
Posted by on Mon, 28 Aug 2006 16:44:00 GMT

Songwriters Unite!

Check out the 2nd annual Songwriter's Unite! benefit for Sick Kids' Hospital this Sunday August 20 at Graffiti's Bar and Grill (170 Baldwin St. in Kensington Market).  Dozens of great solo perfor...
Posted by on Thu, 17 Aug 2006 20:39:00 GMT

Summer holidays

Russell and J are in Thailand right now... Larry and K just got back from Seattle, the Olympic Peninsula, and Victoria...  In a few weeks, the whole band will be off to the Funny F...
Posted by on Sat, 15 Jul 2006 14:42:00 GMT

War Child show

Played a wicked gig Saturday at the Savoy - a Coffeehouse production to benefit War Child Canada.  Jess Graham, Kevin Howley, Hill and blueVenus were all great and we were really happy with our s...
Posted by on Tue, 23 May 2006 20:43:00 GMT

And the world will beat a path to our door...

Just got an email saying "Congratulations, you're the billionth band to join myspace!"  What do we win?
Posted by on Thu, 11 May 2006 22:25:00 GMT