Posted by Coffee Diva in Features, In the Community, Live Music, Specials | 0
This Friday!!! Leon J and Juke Joint -1/13 8pm
Don’t miss this rare treat! Leon J and Juke joint will be here, on our stage to BLOW you away with some amazing BLUES!!! $5 cash cover at the door.
From early in Leon’s youth he was immersed in music.
Traveling in his parents gospel touring bus as a child, he performed his first
vocal performance at age 4. “The music is inside and it’s got to come out”
you’ll hear him say in the tradition of the great John Lee Hooker, substituting
the word ‘music’ for ‘boogie’. Nearly 4 decades later, that music inside is still
coming out.
Leon J has a penchant for the acoustic roots blues and rock style,
and you experience that influence at one of his live shows. Delta slide guitar,
R&B/gospel style ballads, ‘in the pocket’ slow blues, a powerfully rhythmic
jam… “all of it is the Blues’ Baby” Leon exclaims, and at his show you
experience them all. He has a reputation for uncommonly entertaining and
engaging performances, at times changing the set list or eliminating it all
together when the energy from the crowd joins the music.
Leon’s storytelling, & knowledge of the early bluesmen and their styles, and the
effect it has to this day on most of our popular music, takes you on a special
journey thru time. Soulful vocals, beautiful slide, and finger style guitar work,
pulsing raw rhythms, smooth grooves, passion and power.
When asked about his musical performances mixing both original music with
cover songs, he replies “ If I had to be completely truthful, I don’t view any
song I perform as a cover song.” “Simply because I didn’t write the song,
does not make my performance of it any less an original expression.” This
originality element and his ability to cross genre’s with this type of expression
plays a key role in Leon’s music, and is one of the huge draws for his fans!
“Original expression from the early legends of the blues when covering
another’s song, is one of the things I love most about the blues… and now my
musical ride often takes me on a similar journey…. whether that be thru
“Muddy Waters”, aboard a “Zeppelin”, as a balladeer, or by moving my
energy into a great acoustic Jam Band type sound.. It’s all good” he smiles.
Over the last 15 years you have recognized Leon’s voice & musical stylings in
multiple projects: as founding frontman for Blue Country and as “Jammin’ J”
from the touring act UnderCover Acoustic which featured at the Acclaimed JW
Marriott Resort in Phoenix AZ for 2 seasons, as an acoustic based rock duo.
Leon J’ has been awarded numerous accolades during his professional career.
Most recently, The Blues Hall of Fame TM. in 2011 has inducted Leon
J’ recognizing and honoring his music & his show as both titles: Ambassador
to the Blues, & Great Blues Artist.
Check him out at http://youtu.be/YHTP6A2im_0
