R. Leon Adams is a full-time professional pianist/keyboardist/songwriter/director and arranger. Born and raised just south of Seattle, Washington, Leon has over 30 years of piano playing experience beginning at age 7, and was a church accompanist for 5 choirs at age 8. Leon has studied music at the University of Nebraska-Omaha under Dr. Steven Raybine. Leon has credits on over 300 C.D. recording projects as s studio keyboardist and arranger, as well film scoring for two mini films. Leon was selected to perform with Grammy-winning gospel recording artist Richard Smallwood and was tasked to perform and arrange music for a studio session with noted saxophonist Walter King (who is the nephew of legendary blues artist B.B. King).
Among other tasks, Leon has written commercial jingles, and worked as a keyboardist for Carnival Cruise Lines. Leon participated in a test study from the University of California-Berkely on the genetics of people who have absolute pitch (or commonly called “perfect pitch” which Leon has). It has been determined that the average speed that it takes Leon to recognize a musical tone without any reference is between .9 to 1.2 seconds. Leon has also served as the Director of Music Ministries at St. Andrews United Methodist Church (Omaha, Nebraska) from June 2006 to Deceember 2008. Acclaimed actor John Beasley appointed Leon as his music director for theater musicals at the John Beasley Theater (Omaha, Nebraska), which led to a nomination for “Best Music Director” by the Omaha Arts and Entertainment for 2007 for Leon’s music direction in the musical “Crowns”. Noted jazz trumpet player Michael Gurciullo, who played and toured with music legends Wayne Newton and Bobby Caldwell, recruited Leon as his music director/keyboardist for Gurciullo’s “Las Vegas Lab Band”, which just released a CD and has already earned a record distribution deal. Leon also leads a jazz trio, “Jazz Connection” which features noted tenor saxophonist Matt Wallace, who was a long term side musician for Maynard Ferguson. Leon currently continues to write, perform, arrange, and teach music.
Here are some demos of Leon playing
Jazz
R&B
Gospel
Latin
Some of Leon’s students from their recital
Leon and his students after their last recital