Dr. Professor Leonard King

Leonard King Jr., also known as Dr. Prof. Leonard King, is a drummer/vocalist/composer/arranger who has been a full-time musician since 1960 (age 12). He is the consummate Detroit, MI musician whose influences and achievements are vast, which is due to the musical climate of that city and the state of Michigan in general. Although the city is musically known for the output of the Motown Records Corporation of the 1960’s and early ‘70’s, Leonard was able to tap into the wellspring of all of the music genres in the city and prosper in the climate of the “Detroit Way” (as famed bassist James Jamerson used to say).    

 

His earliest involvement with music performances began when he was in the 4th grade at Boynton Elementary School in Detroit singing the latest hits by Chuck Berry, Jackie Wilson, and Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers. In September 1957 he began taking private drum lessons with William Keith at Grinnell Brothers Studios in Lincoln Park, MI which developed his reading skills. His listening skills were also being honed due to his Father owning and operating jukeboxes that were stocked with a variety of recordings. He’d take young Leonard with him to observe how music affected people in different ways according to their own personal views. These informal lessons also emphasized the parallel relationships of recorded music and live music, and the simple methods used to cultivate audiences (customers, clientele) to support what you have to offer.                                                             

 

In late 1962, at age 14, he decided it was time to be a band leader and, with his two brothers and a few neighborhood youngsters, started The Jazz Sextet which later became known as Leonard King and the Soul Messengers (1963-73). The group became very popular providing accompaniment for a variety of single artists and groups who did not have their own bands. Additionally the group provided music for fashion shows, industrial presentations, and many social events. These experiences served as a basis for other ensembles: Strata Nova (1976-88), Visger Road Drum Band (1991-2006) Proportioned Orchestra (1989-present), Oopapada (1995-present), Dr. Prof. Leonard King “Drum Fun & Vocals, Too” (1990-present), and the Dr. Prof. Leonard King Orchestra (2010-present).                                                                                                   

 

An interest in music-related areas outside of performing keyed his interest in having his own radio program for six years (1975-81) on WDET-FM. He also worked as a music therapist is association with the Levine Institute on Aging and the Children’s Center of Metropolitan Detroit (1993-99). Other areas of music edutainment include working with Young Audiences of Michigan (1992-2004), and Omni Arts In Education (1993-2007). Although he has performed with Eddie Kendricks, Al Green, Herb Ellis, Dr. Donald Byrd, and many others, his other associations of longevity include a memorable 35-year association with famed organist Lyman Woodard. He toured the world extensively with saxophonist James Carter for 16 years (Leonard helped to mentor Carter when he was in his teens). Additionally he is the president of the Lyman Woodard Organization for the Arts which is based in Detroit and produces concerts yearly.             

 

In 2000 Leonard began his own record company, Uuquipleu Records (pronounced yoo-kee-ploo) which currently totals 27 CD’s and are available worldwide via CD Baby, I-Tunes, and other file sharing sites, plus many retail stores throughout the United States, Europe, and Japan. Additionally he has taught at Art Center Music School, and The Institute of Music and Dance. As he once stated, “My job as an instructor is to help the student find the music that is already within themselves—not to be a mere copycat”. Violinist Regina Carter, bassist Rodney Whitaker, multi-reed player James Carter, and organist Gerard Gibbs are just a few who have benefited from his tutelage.