Music
Press
"Fall 2005"
The high standard of CD production has recently been raised a couple of notches.
When two super talents such as vocalist/composer Sue Leonard and pianist/arranger/composer Bill Sample combine their unique talents you come up with an excellent CD of originals called "Bend".
From the opening track "Nickel" dealing with some problems that we all, from time to time, have had to deal with tax collectors to the last track "God's Theme" whose opening line is "To the god I don't believe in" this ten selection CD offers an abundance of emotional feelings.
The lyrics are, to me, to a large degree relationship driven and deserve multiple listenings to absorb their content. To say that the artistry in the vocalizing and arranging of Sue and Bill, along with the accompanying musicians on this CD is great is the understatement of the century. It is simply "big time international."
The CD along with the lyrics is not just stuck in one idiom and the performances are backed by contemporary rock, jazz and some bluesy arrangements. Simply put "a musical feast". After purchasing this CD, you must have a copy of the lyrics and you simply have to go to www.leonardandsample.com this website address will also allow you to purchase the CD.
The "All Star" group of professionals backing Sue are of course Bill Sample -piano, Hammond B3 and Keyboards, guitar-David Sinclair and Andreas Schuld, bass-Brian Newcombe, drums-Randall Stoll, sax-Steve Hilliam (WOW!), trumpet-Derry Byrne, percussion-Bill Buckingham, Background vocals along with Sue and Bill are Gord Maxwell and Linda Kidder. It doesn't get much better than this. - Bob Hales President A.F.OF M. Local 145
"This is one of the finest Canadian recordings to come out in a long time. It is one of those CD's that you can listen to top to bottom, over and over again. The writing collaboration between Sue and Bill is a very special one, (a project pairing long overdue) and, this is evident in the result! The mix of upbeat tunes, R&B flavoured tunes, and ballads that tug at your heartstrings are equally executed with sincere conviction, and the enjoyment they have peforming the songs (and, recording them) transends to the listener.This recording brings together the finest musicians that Vancouver has to offer, and is a 'who's who' of Canadian session players. This itself makes this CD wealthy in talent, beyond compare! I would highly recommend picking up a copy of Leonard & Sample, and hear what true musicianship and songwriting is all about"
- Jane Dittrich past GM
“Leonard is a force to be reckoned with…
if you're interested in gutsy music for grownups, performed by artists who long ago shred their adolescent musical awkwardness, and you like songs that are passionate without being cheap, and adult without slipping into the abyss of adult contempory, "Bend" may be just what you've been looking for.”
- Doug Heselgrave
"Sue sings with real soul and impeccable taste. She is a joy to make music with! "
Greg Leisz
(Pedal Steel with kd lang, Joe Cocker, Joni Mitchell, Lucinda Williams, Percy Sledge, Willie Nelson & Sheryl Crow)
"Sue is the owner of what I consider to be some of the most expressive and heartfelt vocal performances I have ever had the pleasure of recording. Her vocal depth and ability to turn a variety of lyrics into magical and moving music, will undoubtedly move and reward every listener. She is great talent with a beautiful persona. I hope you have the opportunity to find out for yourself."
David Slagter
Producer / Engineer
"Sue Leonard is wonderfully talented, intuitive, creative, and able to sing absolutely anything - passionately.... she's also one of the nicest people I've ever met."
Ben Mink
Producer/Songwriter
"from the minute i heard sue's voice, i heard a soul. i heard an ability. I hired her immediately a true professional and a wonderful spirit."
kd lang
"If every singer on this show tonight sang like Sue we'd have one hell of a show"
Mike Greene President of NARAS (backstage at the Grammy Awards)
"The sound was rich and eerily perfect from the very first bar of the opener, "Save Me", a slow, smokey arrangement typical of Ingenue. lang's singing and that of the backing vocalists Linda Kidder and Sue Leonard was well above the technical standard encountered at most rock shows..."
From BBC Life and Times
(kd lang at the Hammersmith Odean Theatre)
"When Sue sings it send shivers up my spine."
Tom Harrison
Music Journalist
The Vancouver Province
"What a powerful voice."
Denise Donlen
Host, Much Music - From the Archives:
"Thanks Bill. You saved my butt! ! "
Mel Torme
Jazz Singer
after a rehearsal with the Vancouver Symphony"
"It was always a joy to work with you, you are patient, kind and generous...I look forward to working with you in the future."
Francis Yip
International Singing star
- From the Archives
May 25th 2005
R&B
Leonard and Sample: Bend (Indie)
Sue Leonard is a great, moving singer while Bill Sample is an
accomplished, versatile keyboard player. Put the two veterans
together and you automatically have something of a high standard.
This something is hybrid soul, with some jazz, country and blues
merged. There also is humour in the CBC riff they do on "I'm Not
Gonna Worry," and smart social comment in "I Believe" and "God's
Theme." It's a diverse mix of funk with pop sophistication, roots
with finesse. Check out the album's best song, "Without You," or its
signature "Nickel." Those two songs lead off the album but show its
range.
- Tom Harrison
http://www.wearelistening.org/winners2006r1.php
Leonard And Sample are winning finalists (one of nine) and officially the top 12 of all the submissions received."
"I would like to express how much I enjoyed listening to "I Believe". It is rare to hear such exceptional musicianship."
-Lior Shamir, founder, managing director of "We Are Listening"
"I liked the chorus and middle 8 particularly and the Steely Dan like chords and arrangement."
- Charlie Mole, Finalist Judge
"I especially liked the groove and harmony in this song."
- Jack Perricone, Finalist Judge
"Has her own style, confident and comfortable with herself, in control of her instrument. She is saying something. Song has great dynamics, very good vocal arrangement and harmonies. Song flows and moves naturally. Not overproduced, just like I like it."
- Katia Cadet (Baby Kat), Finalist Judge
"Good vocals – a jam song"
- Dory Benami, Finalist Judge
"This artist has a great voice... original song.... I really like it!"
- Micky Guy, Finalist Judge
- We Are Listening
Discography
The first album was in January of 2005, titled "BEND". A three song version is available for radio, and the first planned single is "Without You", to be followed by "Nickel", which has been edited for radio.
In March 2005, shortly after the release of the CD, Without You, had been picked up by Doreen Copeland of 104.9 Clear FM right here in our home town of Vancouver. Terry David Mulligan from, CKUA "Mulligan Stew" in Edmonton AB., added "Nickel" to his playlist. In Nanaimo BC, Bob Lucas of "CHLY" has been very supportive Of L&S, playing most of the tracks off of the newly released CD, as well as CUVE FM on the Sunshine Coast. Now it goes without saying, that C.B.C. has been our biggest supporter.
We've been featured on The Afternoon Show, by Kathryn Gretsinger, Paul Grant of "Hot Air."
Roots Round Up and NXNE.
Photos
Feeling a bit camera shy
Bio
Leonard and Sample
Leonard and Sample is a 7 piece band from Vancouver BC, which features the powerful vocals of Sue Leonard and the soulful piano/organ work of Bill Sample.
Though the band is brand new, the credits of it’s members would reach halfway to the moon. These are not rookies, yet the music is exciting, fresh, and honest.
Sue Leonard is originally from Hamilton Ontario and is one of the most in demand singers on the west coast. Her recording credits include kd lang, Bon Jovi (produced by Bruce Fairbairn), Ken Hamm, Spirit of the West, Raffi, Roy Forbes and Connie Kaldor. Her many years of touring with kd lang brought her to the stages of “The Johnny Carson Show”, “Saturday Night Live”, “Arsenio Hall”, Late Night with Jay Leno, “The David Letterman Show”, “The Grammys”, “The Juno Awards” and “Top of The Pops” and "Jools Holland Show" (England), among many others. She has performed with Colin Linden, Stephen Fearing (Blackie and the Rodeo Kings), Sue Foley, Sandy Scofield and has appeared with Melissa Etheridge and Colin James.
When Sue sings, people listen.
"from the minute i heard sue's voice, i heard a soul. i heard an ability. i hired her immediately a true professional and a wonderful spirit."
kd lang
"When Sue sings it send shivers up my spine."
Tom Harrison
Music Journalist
The Vancouver Province
Bill Sample has been a force in the West Coast music scene for many years. He has a degree in Composition (University of Victoria) and studied Jazz Arranging at Berklee College (Boston), on a full scholarship. His recording credits include Ashanti, Simple Plan, Michelle Wright, Jim Brickman, Randy Bachman (Jazz Thing), Eric Bibb, Valdy, Seal, Wakim Chow (Rock Records, Teipai), and Norman Foote. As a producer, he has worked with Leon Bibb, Jane Mortifee, the “legendary” Sample Stearns Band, Rob Carriere and others. As Music Director for David Foster for 8 years, he has worked with Bryan Adams, Celine Dion, Fee Waybill (The Tubes), Boz Scaggs and Kenny Loggins. He has composed original scores for TV and Film, including “The
Swinging Nutcracker”, a one hour adaption of Tchaikovsky’s Ballet, adapted for big band. He was Music Director for the Variety Club Telethon for ten years and is in his 11th season with Telemiracle in Saskatchewan. He co-starred in the TV series “The Jim Byrnes Show”, playing the role of the piano player. He was inducted into the BC Entertainment Hall of Fame in 2003.
When Bill plays, people listen.
"Thanks Bill. You saved my butt! ! "
Mel Torme
Jazz Singer
after a rehearsal with the Vancouver Symphony"
Links
