Born October 16, 1959 in New Orleans, LA, Leonard Blair started playing the saxophone at age 11. Before taking up the sax, Leonard also sang in his church choir at St John Divine Missionary Baptist Church. He would go on to get his bachelor of music degree in 1995 at Xavier University of Louisiana.
He recorded his first ever CD in New Orleans with a cast of outstanding New Orleans musicians in 1999. From that first CD, one could hear that Mr BLAIR was already charting out his own unique approach to New Orleans music. With this release in 2009 of this latest album, " Mr Blair present " an assorment of his own compositions, we see that he has certainly come into his own
Influences :
Dexter Gordon, Nat king Cole, Louis Jordan, Sonny Stitt ...
Background:
" Xavier University Chorus " Est coast tour [ 1978 - 1985 ]
" Xavier University Combo " Tour quito ecuador, Costa Rica [ 1983 - 1987 ]
Saxophonist and singer " Los bebes del Merenque " Latino [ 1989 - 1991 ]
Saxophonist and singer " Irie Vibration " Reggae [ 1993 - 1996 ]
Saxophoniste and singer" Pinstripe Brass Band ", New Orleans ( EU tour 1996 )
Leader " Gig Street " [ 1998 to present ]
Guest Star " Petit Journal St Michel " in Paris 1998 et 2002
