Michael Rath Trombones

Michael Rath Trombones

Made in England Played Globally

Made in England Played Globally

Jose Leonardo Leon releases new CD

Journey is a compendium of three commissioned and two unrecorded works for the bass trombone as solo and chamber instrument by a very talented group of American and Latin American composers.

From trombone ensemble to bass trombone and unique chamber sets. The main characteristic of the resultant product has been the opportunity for collaboration between the soloist and the composers through the creative process. Thanks to these interactions, Jose was able to understand each composer’s musical perspectives and ideas first hand, which allowed him to find the appropriate techniques and musical approaches to translate their thoughts into sounds. Due to the distinct styles and music creativeness presented in this CD, it is our hope it will become a humble contribution to the trombone repertoire and make an impact on its growing recognition as a solo instrument.

Two of the pieces in this CD, “A Short Account of a Long Journey” by Andres Rodriguez and  “Monolith” by Alejandro Guardia, have been added by C. F. Nieweg ~ Proof Purr-fect Research to the upcoming 3rd edition of  Nieweg – Music for Bass Trombone – A Reference Book of Works for Solo Bass Trombone with Orchestra, Band & Chamber Ensemble, compiled by former Philadelphia Orchestra Librarian and Researcher Clinton F. Nieweg and Published by Cherry Classics.

Venezuelan-American trombonist Jose Leonardo Leon has worked with professional organizations and artists such as the Florida Grand Opera, the Miami Symphony Orchestra, the Bilbao Symphony Orchestra (Spain), the Orquesta Filarmonica UNAM (Mexico City), the Jalisco Philharmonic (Mexico), Andrea Bocelli, The Manhattan Transfer, Wicked and Frozen super star Idina Menzel, Arturo Sandoval, Wycliffe Gordon, Bob Mintzer, Paquito D’ Rivera, Eddie Daniels, and most recently the recording of 2015 Latin Grammy winner Dr. Ed Calle presents Mamblue. Some of Jose’s international festivals and conferences performances include the 2016 URUBRASS Summit in Montevideo, Uruguay; the 2015 ITF in Valencia, Spain; The 2012 and 2013 editions of the International Trombone Week at the Universities of  Oaxaca and Aguascalientes, Mexico; the 2011 JEN Conference in New Orleans, LA; and Residencies at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, AK in April 2018, the University of Costa Rica School of the Arts in March 2017, and the Alabama Bandmasters Association Low Brass Day in April 2016. Jose Leon’s career started at the internationally acclaimed “Simon Bolivar” Symphony Orchestras of Venezuela known as “El Sistema”. He received his bachelor’s degree from the studio of Mark Hetzler at Florida International University, his master’s degree from the studio of Timothy Conner at the University of Miami Frost School of Music, and most recently his Doctor of Musical Arts in Trombone Performance and Pedagogy from the studio of Dr. William Stanley at the University of Colorado Boulder College of Music. Jose is a Performing Artist for Michael Rath Trombones. For more information check www.joseleonardoleon.com