Aaron Leaney

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Aaron Leaney (born 1983 in Calgary, Alberta) is a Canadian saxophonist and composer.[1]

He began his musical studies on classical guitar then studied piano at Mount Royal Conservatory. In junior high school he took up the alto saxophone and began studying jazz. In high school he began playing the tenor saxophone, his principal instrument. He later attended Humber College in Toronto, Ontario, where he studied with Pat LaBarbera.[2]

In addition, he co-leads The Aaron Leaney & Chris Dadge Duo, which concentrates on developing free form melodic and textural improvisations; following a long tradition developed by artists such as Don Cherry & Ed Blackwell, Anthony Braxton & Max Roach, Evan Parker & Paul Lytton, Peter Brötzmann & Han Bennik, and John Coltrane & Rashied Ali. The seeds of this duo were planted in 2002 while Leaney and Dadge attended college. During their time there, they played in a quartet which performed and rehearsed throughout 2002-2003, until Leaney moved to Toronto in fall of 2003. Their activities were curtailed for this period, except for short periods of time during holidays and summers. It was during this time that the two began working out ideas for playing music with tenor saxophone and drumset. In 2005, Leaney & Dadge had a successful live radio performance and subsequent inclusion on Alive From CJSW (CJSWAOK, 2005). This performance included three of Leaney’s “Compositions for Saxophone & Drums” pieces, of which Composition No.2 is featured on the CD.

At the end of 2005 he began performing with the Toronto alt rock group, The Postage Stamps. In the summer of 2006 they recorded a full length record 'This Ugly Arrangement'. Although the music was completely written prior to the recording session the saxophone parts remained improvised and were recorded direct off the floor with the band.

His current projects include co-leading the reeds and drum duo, Aaron Leaney/Chris Dadge, and leading his trio, Aaron Leaney Three (with Thom Golub and Chris Dadge) which predominantly features his original compositions. Their first self-titled independent record was released January 2008 which is heavily influenced by they music and jazz concepts of John Coltrane and Ornette Coleman.[3]

[edit] Discography

As a leader:

  • 2008 - Aaron Leaney Three (SOCAN)
  • 2006 - Aaron Leaney/Chris Dadge - Duo (Bir-Four)
  • 2005 - Alive From CJSW - (CJSWAOK)

With The Postage Stamps:

[edit] External links

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