The rhythms of the jazz and blues of New Orleans surrounded Leon Brady in his childhood.
But he didn't pay much attention to music.
He was an athlete -- a star in basketball, baseball and track.
Then he joined the Air Force.
“I chose to play the drums because I thought it would be easy," Brady said.
“I was wrong. I didn't like playing the drums at first because it was difficult, but I kept on doing it to stay in the Air Force."
That was 1949, and he was 17. Looking back now, almost 60 years later, Brady's happy for that turn in his life. Music -- in his roles as percussionist and music educator -- has been his life. And the Fairway resident and Kansas City, Kan., studio music owner has a life most musicians would envy.
He has toured and recorded with Ray Charles and other national and international musicians. In his jazz studio, walls display the many plaques he has earned. Photographs show the many musicians he has helped train.
Downstairs, in the basement, more than 100 trophies show the accomplishments his jazz students earned just last year.
A new award will be added to his studio in October: the 2007 Pinnacle Award for Excellence in Arts. The Johnson County Library is giving the award to the 74-year-old for his preservation of jazz in Kansas City.
“My life is almost like a dream come true for me," said Brady. “Helping kids learn to appreciate music has always been what it's all about."
His establishment of the nonprofit organization Kansas City Youth Jazz in 2001 made him an icon in local music education. Dozens of kids from both sides of the state line now walk through the doors of his Kansas City, Kan., music studio every week to practice and perform.
Continue...
But he didn't pay much attention to music.
He was an athlete -- a star in basketball, baseball and track.
Then he joined the Air Force.
“I chose to play the drums because I thought it would be easy," Brady said.
“I was wrong. I didn't like playing the drums at first because it was difficult, but I kept on doing it to stay in the Air Force."
That was 1949, and he was 17. Looking back now, almost 60 years later, Brady's happy for that turn in his life. Music -- in his roles as percussionist and music educator -- has been his life. And the Fairway resident and Kansas City, Kan., studio music owner has a life most musicians would envy.
He has toured and recorded with Ray Charles and other national and international musicians. In his jazz studio, walls display the many plaques he has earned. Photographs show the many musicians he has helped train.
Downstairs, in the basement, more than 100 trophies show the accomplishments his jazz students earned just last year.
A new award will be added to his studio in October: the 2007 Pinnacle Award for Excellence in Arts. The Johnson County Library is giving the award to the 74-year-old for his preservation of jazz in Kansas City.
“My life is almost like a dream come true for me," said Brady. “Helping kids learn to appreciate music has always been what it's all about."
His establishment of the nonprofit organization Kansas City Youth Jazz in 2001 made him an icon in local music education. Dozens of kids from both sides of the state line now walk through the doors of his Kansas City, Kan., music studio every week to practice and perform.
Continue...
For more information contact All About Jazz.
