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).

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.