Listen to our interview earlier this week with drummer and singer Leonard King. King visited the WEMU studio to discuss his major project: The Lyman Woodard Organization For the Arts. In the 1970s Leonard joined the group led by Detroit organist Lyman Woodard and became a major player in Detroit jazz, soul, blues and dance music. Leonard reminisced warmly about Lyman Woodard's important and inspirational position in Detroit musical history as well as his own.
Leonard King was one of the first musicians to record with Detroit jazz luminaries Rodney Whitaker and James Carter. He introduced them to the greater Detroit music community while they were still in high school. Leonard is still working on behalf of the music community, taking an opportunity to give back to the city that supported him for decades with The Lyman Woodard Organization For The Arts.
You can check out his great work at an upcoming concert this Sunday, September 21st at Detroit's First Unitarian Universalist Church. I will be down to MC for this event which will feature the James Carter Organ Trio for their first Detroit area appearance in over 9 years.
For details on the show, see the events section on WEMU.org.