Hello dear ones! It is so wonderful to be writing you again, sharing with you once more the humble fruit of an inspiring few months of process. I am deep in antihistamine bliss this morning - squinting through crusted eyes at the optimistic green around me. Like my heart that runneth over with gratitude and excitement for what is to come, so doth my nose, profusely flowing as if to cast away all pollen from my face.
Allergies aside, I am abundantly excited about the upcoming premiere of A Divine Echo, composed for a trio of puppeteers alongside a trio of improvisors on vibraphone, cello, and clarinet. This evening will be the first time I am presenting my work at Roulette, and this piece will be my first interdisciplinary collaboration as well. I hope you can join us in person for this special performance, or online for you streamers.
David Leon: A Divine Echo
May 14, 2024 | 8pm
Roulette Intermedium
Tickets and more info at www.roulette.org
Since we last spoke
A dream to play with Caroline Rose x Metropolis Ensemble for a few nights last month. We winds are slinging clarinets/ flutes/ saxes on the left in this photo. A poem:
Rock bands are great, woodwind sections are sweet, good friends and music can’t be beat.
Alec Goldfarb’s Fire Lapping at the Creek was just released - proud to have contributed to this one. Rigorous microtonal metaphors richly resonating reveal mirages and mystery - a miracle.
Bird’s Eye
My record with Bird’s Eye has been out for a little under 2 months, I’ve been thrilled to hear how folks are connecting with it. Sharing here some press that made me smile:
“New York based saxophonist and composer Leon draws on Afro-Cuban and Korean influences to create a vivid new sound…. Their music can be both stately and buoyant, intricate and sly….Inspired.” —The Wire (full review)
“…a program of ten compositions that almost inaugurate their own genre.”
—NYC Jazz Record (full review)“…an album that sounds unlike anything else.”
—PostGenre (full review/ interview) (we really cover all kinds of stuff in this one…a great intro to me and my interests if we’re just meeting <3)“The instrumentation, inter-play of musicianship and quality of the recording itself stand alone. In a world of so much similarity, this one is quite an achievement.”— Bandcamp fan reviews (full review)
Shows
Wednesday, May 8 - my co-led experiment in groove with Adam' O’Farrill, Locomotive, will play at SUNY Maritime College (the Bronx, NY) at 5pm. Tal Yahalom + Eli Greenhoe - electric guitars, Daniel Prim + Victor Pablo - percussions, Adam O’Farrill + DL - horns.
Tuesday, May 14 - A Divine Echo at Roulette Intermedium. 8pm. Tickets + info here
Wednesday, May 22 - Improvising with Jules Garden (EU) - saxophones, David Leon - saxophones, Matt Moran - vibraphone, Mariel Roberts - cello, & Lesley Mok - drums. 6pm at Barbès.
Thursday, June 20 - Joining Metropolis Ensemble once again for an expansive performance of Simeon Ten Holt’s Canto Ostinato re-scored (in-part by me) for 50+ percussionists, 8 strings, and 8 winds. Come zone with us! Performed at Brooklyn Botanical Garden approaching sunset on the solstice. Tickets and info here
As always, a running and updated gig list is always available on my website here: https://davidleonsmusic.com/shows
Funsies
In no particular order, some things I’ve spent time with the last little bit. Videos, memorable quotes, recipes, videos, aha-moments-
I botched this ridiculously easy one-day Foccacia recipe yesterday - but maybe you’ll have better luck
Visited the MOMA for the first time in a while…The Joan Jonas exhibition is thought-provoking and inspiring. The plaster room BLEW my mind…sculptures big and properly tiny by Picasso, Twombly, Giacometti, others. And Monet’s water lilies down the hall - highly recommended.
Watched my first basketball game ever - all the way through….Nuggets v. Lakers in the Playoffs. An amazing game. Who am I?
Amazing Lemon Pistachio Cake that is delicious and easy to make. Add some matcha to sweeten the deal.
Claire Dickson - The Beholder. This gorgeous album has been on repeat since it was released last month. Something about the way she delivers the lyric “you and your loyalty” @ 1:30
“I am strongly drawn to Camp, and almost as strongly offended by it. That is why I want to talk about it, and why I can. For no one who wholeheartedly shares in a given sensibility can analyze it; he can only, whatever his intention exhibit it. To name a sensibility, to draw its contours and to recount its history, requires a deep sympathy modified by revulsion.” - Susan Sontag, Notes on Camp
Congratulations to our reigning queen Nymphia Wind!!! You had our heart from the start 🍌
Recently re-captivated by this beautiful tradition - anyone know of Ogene happening in NYC?
Warm weather is coming and I’m ready for some more Wok-time. Thank you Yvonne for capturing me in my natural habitat.
See you soon!!!
David