Home » Jazz Musicians » Orlando le Fleming

Orlando le Fleming

Among the most proficient and accomplished bassists in the field of contemporary jazz, Orlando le Fleming's virtuoso technique, boundless creativity and powerful beat are those of a musician who has found himself, humbly, occupying a space in the uppermost stratum of American improvised music. Orlando's facility as an improviser and capacity as a team player were first honed not on the bandstand, nor in the practice room, but on the cricket pitch. Originally from the UK, Orlando seemed destined for an athletic career, and was briefly a professional cricketer, until he was granted a place at London’s Royal Academy of music, and his lifelong passion for music won out. Le Fleming's 2003 move to New York City was a timely one. Soon after arriving stateside, Orlando joined Jane Monheit's band, consequently sharing the bass duties on her 2004 release Taking a Chance on Love with Ron Carter and Christian McBride; the year following, he recorded with jazz legend Jimmy Cobb on his Marsalis Music Honors release. In the years since, leaders as diverse as Branford Marsalis, Joey Calderazzo, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Bill Charlap, Billy Cobham, Seamus Blake, Jeff “Tain” Watts, and David Sanchez have relied on Le Fleming's firm beat and eloquent counterpoint to propel their rhythm sections forward. While he succeeds as a sideman, it is as a leader that Orlando le Fleming truly shines. From Brooklyn With Love is a living document of Orlando's original compositions, as performed by his 2010 quartet. Recorded in concert at storied Park Slope hangout Freddy's, it features saxophonist Will Vinson, guitarist Lage Lund, and drummer Antonio Sanchez. Riding the high acclaim of this initial release, Lund, Vinson, and Le Fleming would go on to form the drum-less OWL Trio, whose eponymous 2013 debut was hailed by critics and listeners alike. Downbeat declared “Everything about this album,which should contend for debut of the year honors,is a resounding success. The music swings effortlessly, every utterance is gorgeous and the recording is intimate and beautiful." More recently, Orlando has become recognized as a keen doubler: 2016 brought a wide array of opportunities as an electric bassist, from accompanying Tony- winning vocalist Leslie Odom, Jr, to navigating the shifting metrics of Wayne Krantz's legendary 55 Bar residency. His latest endeavor, Romantic Funk, presents a pastiche of classic fusion sounds and ideas, updated by Le Fleming's signature palette of polyrhythm and abstract exploration.

Gear

1890's English Hawkes


Tags

8
Album Review

Alex Hitchcock: Dream Band: Live in London

Read "Dream Band: Live in London" reviewed by Glenn Astarita


This is a bold expedition into the heart of progressive jazz, rendered across a vast canvas of three enthralling nights at the Vortex Jazz Club in London. This three-CD collection is not just a mere album, but a grand, audacious gathering of talents which blurs the line between a larger ensemble setup and a more intimate, modern band experience. Hitchcock's nifty approach to ensemble creation is at the core of this live recording. Rather than sticking ...

8
Album Review

Alex Hitchcock: Dream Band Live In London

Read "Dream Band Live In London" reviewed by Chris May


Viewed in retrospect, the abiding memory of 2023 is that it produced too many jazz albums prioritizing technical facility over emotional engagement. In London, New York and elsewhere (but not, so it seemed, in Chicago), musicians appeared to focus on virtuosity rather than feeling. Dullsville. For the record, some of those albums that did put soul on, at the least, an equal footing with cerebralism, are to be found in the Best Albums of 2023 round-up which can be read ...

15
Album Review

Miki Yamanaka: Human Dust Suite

Read "Human Dust Suite" reviewed by Mike Jurkovic


Becoming increasingly known for her light, expressive touch, her solidly crafted, mainstream approach, and residencies at New York clubs like Smalls and Mezzrow, Kobe-born, New York-based pianist Miki Yamanaka brings a decisively more leavened gravity and a growing harmonic interest and prowess on vibes to Human Dust Suite, a seasoned follow-up to her widely recognized debut Miki (Cellar Live, 2018). Perhaps toughened up by her work with the ever-evolving Roxy Coss on the saxophonist's exemplary outing Quintet (Posi-Tone ...

1
Radio & Podcasts

Orlando le Fleming "It's real out here"

Read "Orlando le Fleming "It's real out here"" reviewed by Leo Sidran


Bassist Orlando le Fleming on how to get a sound on the bass, why he puts “rhythm before notes," what were the advantages to starting his career in England, when it's to leave New York, who were his mentors, the “jazz struggle" and why “groove comes from culture." Plus, he discusses his experiences working with David Sanchez, Antonio Sanchez, Jane Monheit, Ari Hoenig, Jeff “Tain" Watts, Lage Lund, Will Vinson, OWL Trio, Branford Marsalis and much more. ...

14
Album Review

Wayne Krantz: Write Out Your Head

Read "Write Out Your Head" reviewed by Mike Jacobs


What do you want from Wayne Krantz anyway? It's a particularly relevant question when new release time rolls around for the guitar icon(oclast). Not that Krantz himself seems to give the question much thought. He's more known for being preoccupied with things like inventing (and reinventing) himself, exploring and capturing ineffable group mojo, or pushing the envelope toward things he has yet to try or accomplish. And, as many longtime Krantz fans would surely tell you, rightfully so. ...

2
Album Review

Ben Sidran: Don't Cry for No Hipster

Read "Don't Cry for No Hipster" reviewed by Luca Muchetti


'Stile' è il primo sostantivo che viene facile utilizzare per descrivere la musica di Ben Sidran. Nome notissimo nella scena americana, cantante, pianista, compositore e fine conoscitore della musica in toto (evitiamo di utilizzare l'etichetta 'jazz' memori anche del non troppo lontano album in tributo a Bob Dylan), con Don't Cry for no Hipster Sidran torna alle atmosfere fumose a lui più care: quattordici canzoni, tante, trovano spazio in un'opera che guarda alla tradizione, intimismi da jazz club e puntate ...

246
Album Review

Orlando le Fleming: From Brooklyn with Love

Read "From Brooklyn with Love" reviewed by Raul d'Gama Rose


From the very first hearing it becomes clear that From Brooklyn with Love--Orlando Fleming's hard-swinging debut as a leader--is likely to be the start of a long upwardly mobile career for this young, Birmingham, England-born bassist, demonstrating all the makings of a pilot project that heralds the unfolding of a major talent with the keenest of ears, deeply expressive technique and penchant for challenge, all couched in a somewhat self-effacing personality, as Le Fleming plays with a quietness that belies ...

Read more articles
131

Recording

Orlando le Fleming - From Brooklyn with Love (19/8)

Orlando le Fleming - From Brooklyn with Love (19/8)

Source: Master of a Small House

Bassist Orlando Le Fleming doesn't score many points for creativity when it comes to the title of this live disc. Fortunately, what's absent in left-field thinking is made up for through audible work ethic and dedication to craft. Culled from two dates at Freddy's Backroom in the titular borough, the disc's six cuts find the bassist's quartet ranging by turns leisurely and aggressively through a songbook of conventionally-structured originals outfitted with generous improvisational space. Le Fleming seems to ...

116

Recording

Bassist/Composer Orlando le Fleming Releases New CD "From Brooklyn with Love" on 19/8 Records.

Bassist/Composer Orlando le Fleming Releases New CD "From Brooklyn with Love" on 19/8 Records.

Source: Two for the Show Media

Orlando Le Fleming draws from his extensive experience as a sideman and steps forth with some music from his own pen. “From Brooklyn with Love" is Orlando's debut release. Recorded live by Jimmy Katz in the intimate setting of Freddy's Bar in Brooklyn, it features Le Fleming on bass, Antonio Sanchez on Drums, Will Vinson on alto saxophone, and Lage Lund on guitar. Each of Orlando's compositions utilizes the bass as a tool to push each musician into unfamiliar territory. ...

152

Performance / Tour

Bassist Orlando le Fleming to Record Live Album with Antonio Sanchez, Will Vinson and Lage Lund

Bassist Orlando le Fleming to Record Live Album with Antonio Sanchez, Will Vinson and Lage Lund

Source: Michael Ricci

Orlando le Fleming will be recording a live album on November 29th and 30th at Freddy's in Brooklyn. His band features Antonio Sanchez, Will Vinson and Lage Lund. They will play two sets starting at 8:30 p m.

About Orlando le Fleming Orlando le Fleming was born in Birmingham, England on July 7 1976. Both of his parents are professional musicians; his mother a cellist and his father a composer. His first ambition was to become a professional cricketer, an ...

"Orlando is easily one of the most skilled and thoughtful musicians that I have worked with." - Jeff "Tain" Watts "Orlando has great ears, is a master of phrasing and note choice and knows exactly how to complement his musical surroundings; he's a pleasure to play with every time." - Ari Hoenig “Orlando is a brilliant musician and one of my most favorite bassists. He has so many dynamic and musical qualities, his sound is big and supportive, his lines are deep architecture,his solos are dances in shadows and light, his energy is warm, engaging and playful, and his technical skill is on the highest level.” - Kurt Rosenwinkel "Orlando le Fleming, a deep toned walker with an impeccable sense of time."- Jazz Times "Me Le Fleming served as the band's grounding force"- New York Times "Le Fleming's material has a reflective, contemplative quality...whatever the tempo, thoughtful introspection is the general rule." - All About Jazz "The six track offerings clearly shout Le Fleming is a brilliant artist"- Birmingham Times "Le Fleming delivers some stunning pizzicato on the stirring ballad "Inevitably"- Jazz Times "Every inch of this recording speaks eloquently for the art of the rhythm section.....

Read more

Primary Instrument

Bass

Location

New York City

Willing to teach

Intermediate to advanced

Credentials/Background

$100 per hour $80 per hour for Skype

Photos

Music

Recordings: As Leader | As Sideperson

Dream Band Live In...

Whirlwind Recordings
2023

buy

Dream Band: Live in...

Whirlwind Recordings
2023

buy

The Art Of...

Nardis Music
2021

buy

I'll colour around it

Self Produced
2021

buy

Sofijazz

Archival Records
2020

buy

Write Out Your Head

Abstract Logix
2020

buy

Videos

Similar

Jimmy Forrest
saxophone, tenor
Cliff Lyons
saxophone, alto

Get more of a good thing!

Our weekly newsletter highlights our top stories, our special offers, and upcoming jazz events near you.