 Liam Leahy plays:
Flute (C), Tierce (Soprano Flute - Eb) Alto Flute (G), Bass Flute, when
available.
Doubling on Latin percussions & woodwinds.
Styles:
Jazz, Latin Jazz, Afro-Cuban, Afro-pop, Brazilian as well as
Blues, Funk, Rhythm & Blues (R&B) and Jazz fusion with a touch
of the Celtic traditions that courses through my veins.
Influences on Flute:
Herbie Mann; Rashan
Roland Kirk; Jeremy Steig;
Jusef Lateef;
David Valentin; & the incomparable Art Webb.
Other flutists who have inspired me
are: Justo
Almario, Buddy Collette, James
Moody, Hubert Laws,
Nestor Torres,
Fay Roberts,
and of course the many of the great
Cuban Flutists especially
Richard Egues,
Orlando Valle
"Maraca", Orlando Canto etc. Not to be forgotten, is
Ian Anderson of
Jethro Tull, who self
described himself as the "Best of the Worst flutists" see
Flute Stories. His
popularity made the flute welcome in many styles in the 70's and
80's increased acceptance of the flute in popular music. His
music opened many doors for me and other flutists.
Musical influences are:
Stan Getz (for his sound and musicality of course); Miles Davis (for
breaking ground); Chick Corea (for the spirit in his music), Louie
Armstrong (who set the pattern for modern Jazz and improvisation);
Israel Lopez "Cachao" (whose influence is incalculable) Chano Pozo
(who both brought Afro-Cuban rhythms to Bebop) and
Mario Bauza (who set the pattern for Latin Jazz & Salsa), and Cal Tjader, Tito "El Rey" Puente, Mongo Santamaria, and Poncho Sanchez
all of whose music lives on and on.
Herbie Mann was one of the leading Jazz flutists of his time.
He
was also an early explorer of the relationships of African, Latin American
and Middle-Eastern music well before "world music" became in fashion.
He popularized Flute as a Jazz instrument and broke ground in world music.
He is "the inspiration I feel."
Photo courtesy of
Bill Dutkovic 2008 taken at
Cozy's in Sherman Oaks |
Latin & World-beat Rhythms
