ALEX LEONG PLAYS FEEL-GOOD MUSIC

His professional career began as a trombonist performing with “The Original Funky Drummer” Clyde Stubblefield at Funky Mondays in Madison, Wisconsin, where the band was recognized by The Madison Area Music Association as “Best Blues Artist.”

In his 15 years as a resident of Chicago, Illinois, Alex immersed himself in the feel-good traditions of American blues, early jazz, R&B, soul, warehouse music, indie rock, theater and comedy as demonstrated through regional performances in headlining acts, including appearances at Summer Camp Music Festival, Chicago & Nashville Pride Fests, Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival, Mile of Music, and Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival.

A graduate of Millikin University, he has shared the stage with Harvey Scales, STS9, Joe Dart (Vulfpeck), and he has performed for First Lady Hillary Clinton, DJ Kool Herc, The Who Dat Nation, Dick Dale, and outfielder George Bell.

Alex currently collaborates with Los Angeles songwriter Mike Maimone, keeps “the dream of the 90s” alive with Don’t Speak: A No Doubt Tribute, and DJs for private events.

PRESS

CONTRIBUTOR

MUSIC COORDINATOR

In addition to performing, Alex has over a decade of professional experience in the music industry: he created digital sheet music for Musicnotes, Inc.; he served as music librarian at Madison Area Technical College and assisted at Northwestern University Bienen School of Music; he aided successful fundraising campaigns for non-profit organizations; he has supervised live audio production & DJ services for public concerts & private events; and he has administered music retail & artist portfolio websites.

In 2010, Alex developed the website trombone.alex as an educational resource for New Orleans musicology and funk trombone, featuring 250+ FREE transcriptions, song biographies & curated playlists - independent research that has been entirely member-supported for 6+ years due to his reputable work as its music coordinator.

SKILLS

• Trombone / Keyboard / Guitar / Ukulele / Vocals / DJ

• Transcription / Arranging / Composition / Group Improvisation

• Educator / Clinician / Guest Lecturer / Musicologist / Curator

• Live Performance / Recording / Touring / Set Up / Strike

• Rock / Blues / R&B / Funk / New Orleans Jazz / Reggae / Ska

EDUCATION

Millikin University • Decatur, IL • 2004
Bachelor of Music: Commercial Music

• Jazz Band / Concert Band / Jazz Combo

• Millitrax Recording Studio Manager

• Guest Performer, “Almost 76 Trombones,” Dr. Gary Shaw • 2019

PERFORMANCE

Mike Maimone • Nashville, TN • 2017 – Present
Trombone / Arranger • rock • touring / recording

Don’t Speak: A No Doubt Tribute • Chicago, IL • 2015 – Present
Trombone / Keyboards / Website Administrator • rock / ska • touring

The Clyde Stubblefield Band • Madison, WI • 2005 – 2008
Trombone • funk / R&B • touring / artist residency • James Brown’s original “Funky Drummer”

Freelance Trombone • 2004 – Present

High Hat Second Line • New Orleans jazz • Chicago, IL
Two Sweet Horns • street performance • Chicago, IL
Four Star Brass Band • New Orleans jazz • Chicago, IL
Long Time Friction • reggae / ska • Chicago, IL
Ridgeville Band of Evanston • classical concert band • Evanston, IL
Horner Park Jazz Band • big band jazz • Chicago, IL
Extra Crispy Brass Band • New Orleans jazz • Milwaukee, WI
STS9 • jam rock • Atlanta, GA
Sam Winch • Americana • Appleton, WI
The Gomers • rock • Madison, WI
Madison Community Orchestra • classical • Madison, WI

FESTIVALS

Nashville Pride Festival • Nashville, TN • Mike Maimone • 2021 - 2022
Summer Camp Music Festival • Chillicothe, IL • Mike Maimone • 2019
Chicago Pride Fest • Chicago, IL • Don’t Speak: A No Doubt Tribute • 2018 - 2019
Mile of Music • Appleton, WI • Mike Maimone • 2017
Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival • Chicago, IL • FRIENDS: The One Where They Sing • 2016
Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival • Marquette, MI • Extra Crispy Brass Band, headliner • 2015
City of Chicago Fifth Star Awards • Chicago, IL • Four Star Brass Band • 2014

AWARDS

Best Blues Artist • Madison Area Music Awards • Madison, WI • The Clyde Stubblefield Band • 2007
Best Musician • Madison Magazine • Madison, WI • The Clyde Stubblefield Band • 2007
Outstanding Band • Elmhurst Jazz Festival • Elmhurst, IL • Millikin University Jazz Band • 2004

CLINICS / TEACHING

Music Industry Cities: Chicago • Millikin University • Decatur, IL • Guest Lecturer • 2015
Minneapolis Meets Milwaukee • Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival • Marquette, MI • Extra Crispy Brass Band • 2015
Funk Drumming • Tonic Room • Chicago, IL • The Clyde Stubblefield Band • 2015

RECORDINGS

Trampled Radio • Alex Leong • Better Pepper Records • 2023 • Producer

The Studio Nashville • Mike Maimone • 8eat8 Records • 2023 • Trombone, Arranger
Mookie’s Big Gay Mixtape • Mike Maimone • 8eat8 Records • 2023 • Trombone, Arranger
Broke, Not Broken • Mike Maimone • 8eat8 Records • 2021 • Trombone, Arranger
The High Hat Club • Mike Maimone • 8eat8 Records • 2018 • Trombone, Arranger

“Call the Locksmith” • Mike Maimone • 8eat8 Records • 2023 • Trombone
“Unfollow” • Mike Maimone • 8eat8 Records • 2023 • Trombone
“Before He Cheats” • Mike Maimone • 8eat8 Records • 2022 • Trombone, Arranger
“Voodoo Lady” • Mike Maimone • 8eat8 Records • 2022 • Trombone
“I Wish I Didn’t Know You Anymore” • Mike Maimone • 8eat8 Records • 2022 • Trombone, Arranger
“Stay” • Mike Maimone • 8eat8 Records • 2022 • Trombone
“If It’s Hot, It’ll Sell (Live)” • Mike Maimone • 8eat8 Records • 2021 • Trombone
“Garbougie” • Mike Maimone • 8eat8 Records • 2019 • Trombone, Arranger

Reality Jockey • William Steffey • Aquariphone Music • 2019 • Trombone
The Stars Motel • Liz Mandeville • Blue Kitty Music • 2016 • Trombone

In The Green Room Podcast, Ep. 7 • Artfinix Studios • 2019 • Featured Guest