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Volume 6
Issue 35
Nov. 11 - 17, 2009

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The Hobbit

Breaking News

R&B star Melvin Leonard builds legacy as drummer and singer

By Eldridge “Big Cat” Tolefree

It’s not often a drummer keeps the beat and sings live well at the same time. Melvin Leonard has that exceptional talent to pull it off — especially on stage.

His claim to fame is his incredible funk sound and electrifying stage presence; he’s known nationally for bringing his soulful New Orleans grooves to the forefront of progressive R&B music. His grandfather Walter Manaday played drums for Louis Armstrong back in the day and his mom, Mary, played honky-tonk blues piano while Leonard chose to grab a pair of drumsticks to show off his passion for music. Reportedly he took hold of his first sticks before his first bottle of milk and has been playing drum rhythms for as long as he can remember.

Melvin Leonard

Leonard started singing at his local neighborhood church at age 10. His tremendous professional entertainment career began like a high flying rocket, touching down in internationally known nightclubs and festivals all over the globe including those in New Orleans’ French Quarter and across the pond in Europe.

Leonard’s first CD release was “The Prince of the Blues” back in 1996. His enthusiasm for his remarkable new music is expressed in his “Fired Up” record featuring tunes “Slipping in the Mix.” Both CDs were release on his own Spice Records Label. He’s played with some of the best recording artists in the industry, including Irma Thomas, King Floyd, Aaron Neville and Z.Z. Hill.

Leonard refuses to rest on his record and accomplishments from decades of making great funk and soul music. He’s always in the lab making new sounds and grooves for his revolution of real band music. It’s hard to find a good drummer and a great singer for live band work, but Leonard manages to pull off both jobs.

Hear Leonard’s music online on CD Baby or at iTunes. To learn more about the talented artist, visit www.myspace.com/melvinleonardspice.

Send your comments to Big Cat at insidebuzz@yahoo.com.