Jeff McLeod Piano Music

Pianist/keyboardist Jeff McLeod is very excited to be releasing his first album as a leader: the double CD set, Double Entendre. Produced by jazz piano veteran, Harold Danko, this record features Jeff on both piano and Hammond B3 Organ, in a variety of settings that include two longtime friends and collaborators – bassist Joel Kerr, and guitarist Ben Bishop, who both contributed original tunes. ...Jeff also was very happy to invite great Canadian saxophonist Mike Murley to participate in the recording of this CD. The result is a very exciting and eclectic mix of music recorded in duo, trio, and quartet settings, featuring material composed by Jeff, and his collaborators, along with interesting re-workings of compositions by organist Larry Young, pianist Thelonious Monk, song writer Tom Waits(!), and others.

Jeff spent more than a decade as an integral part of the Western Canadian music scene, performing with the soul/R&B bands Stepchyle and House of Payne, roots musician Joel Fafard, guitar wizard Jack Sample, Soccermom recording artist Dan Silljer, and many others. Jeff also spent time playing in the backing band for well-known Canadian vocalist, Serena Ryder, including appearances at major music festivals Lollapalooza and Bonnaroo.

Since 2006, Jeff has been the keyboardist for the “The Willing”, the backing band for the great prairie singer/songwriter, and Soccermom recording artist Jason Plumb, former front man of the Juno Award winning band, The Waltons. His soon to be released record All Is More Than Both, is the fourth release on which Jeff contributes keyboards. Jeff can also be heard on the Jason Plumb & the Willing ode to the beloved Saskatchewan Roughriders Football Club - "Paint the Whole World Green" that plays at all their home games. Some recent highlights with the band include taking part in the Ships & Dip IV festival in February, 2011, put on by longtime friends of Plumb, the Barenaked Ladies; and a performance collaboration with the Regina Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Victor Sawa as part of their Pops series in 2011.

In 2007, Jeff relocated stateside to Rochester, New York, to do graduate work at the prestigious Eastman School of Music, studying primarily with Harold Danko, well known for long-time associations with jazz artists Lee Konitz, Chet Baker, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Gerry Mulligan, and others. During his time at Eastman, Jeff has instructed several university courses, and performed as a member of the Eastman Jazz Ensemble led by brilliant composer/arranger/pianist Bill Dobbins. It was in Rochester, that Jeff began to play Hammond Organ seriously, most recently spending time studying in New York City with organ great Mike LeDonne.

Despite being busy with grad school in NY, Jeff has spent a great deal of time performing with the groups featured on Double Entendre at clubs in Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec City, Regina, Rochester and performances at the Rochester and Saskatchewan International Jazz Festivals. Stay tuned to this website for information on upcoming performances featuring Jeff!