Results for "Leon De Vose II"

Leon De Vose, II

Born: July 14, 1960

Born, reared educated in Newark, NJ

My father, master percussionist Leon De Vose, Sr., began teaching me how to play congas when I was tall enough to reach the head. Daddy was the lead drummer for a local African dance ensemble, Whenever he played, I would listen for his distinctive playing style, absorbing his technique. I have yet to meet a drummer with better hands than he.

Saxophone came, almost by accident, at 13. The late Dr. William "Billy" Phipps was my teacher. I had wanted to play sax since I was 10. Because of asthma, playing sax only happened with the reluctant acquiescence of my now late Mom, Delores. I have never had a problem with asthma in any way connected to playing. This would be the last of two "arguments" I would "win" with Mommie.