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Leron Thomas

Leron Thomas’ musical journey began in his hometown of Houston Texas, always inspired by family rich with respect and understanding of quality music. After graduating from Houston’s distinguished High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, he ventured to New York City to develop as a trumpet player and composer, enrolling in Manhattan’s The New School.

While studying, his own music was evolving and maturing. Recognized for this he began performing professionally with various artists including Bilal, Billy Harper, Charles Tolliver and Roy Hargrove. The quality of his original compositions was enhanced when playing live alongside talented peers Robert Glasper, Damion Reid, Vicente Archer, Marcus Strickland, Harold O’Neal, Isaac Smith, Reggie Quinerly and Omer Avital. Leron graduated from The New School in 2003 with an identifiable sound, recognized by The New York Times, amongst others. Staying in Manhattan to pursue his professional career as a writer and trumpet player, Leron worked with many more artists from a variety of genre’s including Michael Stipe, Lauryn Hill, Bobby Watson and Mos Def, to name a few. Subsequently he found ways to liberate himself through a natural, fluid progression into writing and performing ‘other music’. These compositions required his personal trumpet tone along with his vocals to emphasize the diverse sound. From 2004 onwards he developed this genre-crossing music incorporating jazz, blues, pop, country, electro-pop and rock. With nine independently released projects and critical acclaim Leron explores a range of artistic media. Having music in film he also featured in an independent short film 2010 and appears on Gilles Peterson's Brownswood Bubblers Eight.

Leron Thomas: Zen-Mode Humor

by DanMichael Reyes
September 23, 2013

The chances of four people conducting a Google search on Leron Thomas that result in all four of them to make the same conclusion about the trumpeter is low. While certain facts--like his time at High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (PVA) in Houston and The New School in New York--will remain true, arguments might arise about the genre he plays and what his role as an artist is. A listen to “Silly Ass," the first track on ...

109

Recording

Leron Thomas: Dirty Draws, Vol. 3

Source: Poppi Kikos
August 16, 2011

The trumpeter, singer, bandleader and provocateur Leron Thomas, a New Yorker originally from Houston, isn't making it easy on himself. His records, self-produced and often underproduced, are hard to sum up, and that's the point. They're perverse and searching and sketchy and sometimes quite lovely: straight-ahead jazz— he is a serious improviser, rhythmically strong and controlled in ballads—as well as R&B, tense indie-rock and several kinds of singer-songwriter music. He sings in croons and yelps, making acid commentary about competition ...
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Event

Leron Thomas CD Release Party at 92Y Tribeca on August 6th

Source: Michael Ricci
July 18, 2011

Leron Thomas delivers volume 3 of his Dirty Draws series with a CD Release Party at 92Y Tribeca—Saturday, August 6th at 9pm. Bringing his signature style of genre crossing antics, this new music will make for an incredible live show fusing humor and compositional prowess. Featuring; Yayo Serka-drums, Mark Kelley-bass, Theo Hill- keys, Jean-Christophe Milliard-guitar and Leron Thomas- vocals/trumpet. Tickets are $10 online and $12 at the door with ALL attendees receiving a free download of Dirty Draws Volume 3. ...
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Performance / Tour

Leron Thomas / 6 Figures / Logan Richardson at 92Y on February 18

Source: Poppi Kikos
February 8, 2011

Leron Thomas presents a mixed genre event at 92Y Tribeca on Friday February 18. The three artist bill showcases the spirited post-bop talents of Logan Richardson featured with an incredible line up; Keyon Harrold, Sam Harris, Burniss Earl Travis and Bram Kincheloe. The amazingly fun, high energy funk band 6 Figures includes; Louis Cato, Nozomi Yamaguchi, DJ Ginyard, Corey Bernhard, ((D White}} and James Casey are sure to deliver. Returning to 92Y Tribeca following an outstanding set at Jason Moran's ...
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224

Event

Leron Thomas performs at Jason Moran's 713 → 212 songwriter event on January 14th

Source: Poppi Kikos
January 9, 2011

Featuring an array of Houston born talent, Leron Thomas showcases his songwriting diversity with material from his recent independently released album; Juxtaposed alongside some highly anticipated party favorites. Thomas leads a band of well respected artists; Jason Moran, Mark Kelley, Josh Mease, Kendrick Scott and Nicole Hurst for a night that is sure to be one to remember. Jason Moran Presents 713 > 212—Houstonians in NYC (Songwriters) The groundbreaking jazz pianist-composer Jason Moran, a 2010 MacArthur Fellow (aka “Genius Award" ...
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227

Recording

New album by Leron Thomas - "Juxtaposed"

Source: Poppi Kikos
October 30, 2010

Leron Thomas presents an eclectic range of musical statements on his latest album Juxtaposed. Always keeping listeners on their toes, Thomas always delivers fun, intelligent and reflective discourse that represents the current moment. Download the free MP3 available at All About Jazz (see right). Juxtaposed is available at cdbaby.com.

About Leron Thomas

Leron Thomas' musical journey began in his hometown of Houston Texas, always inspired by family rich with respect and understanding of quality music. After graduating from Houston's distinguished ...
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215

Recording

The Dodenhoff Session

Source: Michael Ricci
September 28, 2009

As a free download on amiestreet.com Leron Thomas released The Dodenhoff Session September 14, 2009. Free- as a partial reaction to the current state of the recording industry, but more so as a way to deliver real music to people who seek it. The three track EP embodies genre-crossing of past times, when artists didn't seek to be defined by catagory so carelessly, for marketing purposes alone. Leron Thomas proves to be a voice of now, highlighting the spirit of ...
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157

Performance / Tour

Les Paul (Mon) Mingus Big Band (Tues) Vince Giordano (Wed) the Brubeck Bros. w/Taylor Eigsti Mar. 8-11 (Late Nite Fri) Bill McHenry (Late Nite Sat) Leron Thomas' Other Music at the Iridium Jazz Club

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
March 6, 2007

IRIDIUM JAZZ CLUB 1650 BROADWAY (Corner of 51st) NEW YORK, NY 10023 RESERVATIONS: 212-582-2121 8:30 & 10:30PM, Fri. & Sat. 3rd Sets AT MIDNIGHT Note: Set Times for Les Paul Remain at 8 & 10PM EVERY MONDAY LES PAUL AND HIS TRIO JOHN COLIANNI - PIANO - LOU PALLO - GUITAR, NICKI PARROTT - BASS Note: Set Times for Les Paul Remain at 8 & 10PM Every Tuesday ...
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188

Festival

Festival of New Trumpet Music Continues with Diego Urcola, Leron Thomas, Nabate Isles

Source: All About Jazz
August 17, 2005

The 3rd Festival of New Trumpet Music Continues with: New Bands, at Spark-August 16-20 161 W. 22nd Street August 17 8:00 PM LeRon Thomas 9:00 PM Diego Urcola Quartet – www.diegourcola.com. The Grammy nominated trumpeter will be performing music from his newest recording “Soundances.” 10:00 PM Nabate Isles – A mix of diverse musical styles with melodic clarity and rhythmic intensity. August 19 8:00 PM Jesse Neuman and the Bruce Lee Band – www.bruceleeband.com. Jesse Neuman-acoustic and processed trumpet/laptop, Oscar ...
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"The most direct reference to Waller came from trumpeter and vocalist Leron Thomas. Singing the Hoagy Carmichael tune, “Two Sleepy People,” popularized by Waller, Thomas’ romantic rendition finally arrested a crowd buzzing from the show’s frenetic pace." Steven Chandler, highbrowmagazine.com

“They liked the incisive playing of trumpeter Leron Thomas, and probably especially liked his change-of-pace vocal feature, in which he classily sang Two Sleepy People, accompanied by Moran and Mateen” Peter Hum, blogs.ottawacitizen.com

"New York crew massive as always, what a night pre Sandy! Leron Thomas live was worth the ticket alone and Kilo Kish the bonus beat!" Gilles Peterson

"January is a time of year where many make grandiose promises and gestures – aka New Year’s resolutions – for their future intentions. Leron Thomas’s Appear to Stack has a clear intent and executes with precision, smack us around the head with soulful electronica that carries more weight than an operatic baritone. The song seems to tell a tale of music industry exploits. “You keep acting like success but won’t invest” says Leron. Invest in this." Steph McLaren - letsbebrief.co.uk

"Some very good music went down. On Night 1 Mr. Thomas - trumpeter, singer, composer and almost comedian - sang wordy, needling songs about sex and insecurities and character flaws, yelling out private jokes wherever possible. Intermittently hilarious, his set fishtailed through jazz and rock and funk; he hasn’t found his cult just yet, but with more songs like “Roll Play,” he might.” Ben Ratliff - The New York Times

“Having made a career for himself through both his distinctive trumpet voice and compositional prowess, Leron Thomas added to his discography with his recent release of Juxtaposed, a utterly creative, if not partially bizarre, venture into the inventive mind of a masterful genre- bender.” Eric Sandler, The Revivalist

“All in all, Mr Thomas seems to have no fear. Its intelligent, casual, a little nuts and completely entertaining” Ben Ratliff, New York Times

“Friday's show featured LeRon Thomas from Houston, who dwarfed his instrument with his large frame and played beautifully, with a lighthearted, dancing disposition. Tenor saxophonist Marcus Strickland, pianist Robert Glasper, bassist Brandon Owens, and drummer Kendrick Scott completed the lineup. This clique has become loosely known as “the class of 2001”; they're a powerful, rambunctious lot, playing with remarkable advancement for their age. As Thomas and Hargrove went toe to toe, with yet another trumpeter, Keyon Harold, sitting in on a fast “Straight, No Chaser,” the combative but good-natured ethos of the cutting session filled the air. And by no means was Hargrove pulling any punches. The strong players to his left and right were raising the stakes and pushing him to the limit. “Play your horn!” implored someone in the audience, and Hargrove responded with biting phrases, deep in the pocket and drenched in soul.” David Adler, All About Jazz

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