ARTISTE PROFILES


Leon Maddy (aka Crazy Harmonica)

Leon is an unusual 16-year-old composer/musician/arranger from Tottenham, north London. He plays the harmonica (mouth organ). This talented musician to date has managed quite a few achievements including headlining his school spring concert with his unique flamboyant mouth organ playing style, he also took part in the theatrical musical ‘Griot’ which signified the opening of the new Bernie Grants Arts Centre in Tottenham, North London. However his biggest achievement has been learning and developing his own style & technique on his choice of instrument, the harmonica.

His musical influences include Legends such as Miles Davis, Howard Levy and Don Baker who is his biggest influence on the harmonica, and John Coltrane also very Talented Artist such as Eska Mtungawzi and Drew Horley.

Leon has no particular genre which he specializes in however he has experimented with Folk/Blues/Fast Fusion and has just finished working on a Latin Jazz Project called Latin Jazz Vol.1 which is a mix cd with a 7 tracks that implement his diversity. He is currently studying A-level Music at Saint Ignatius College along with various other subjects at another educational institute. His Major goal in life is to become a recognised musician and earn a good living off playing the harmonica, the thing he enjoys most, he also aims to make the harmonica once again internationally recognised as it once was in a time long since gone.

Leon is proud of his achievements, including sharing the stage with Abram Wilson, Denys Baptiste, Shabaka Hutchins, Gary Crosby and The Young Talent that is Tomorrow's Warriors at Spice Life. Also working with people he admires greatly such as Ty, Armani Naphatali and Union Dance. Leon has performed at numerous places however he is occasionally found at the Bernie Grant Arts Centre performing and hanging out with other artiste.

He also took part in the Tiata Fahodozi tenth anniversary at the Stratford Royal, which was hosted by TV personality Jocelyn Jee Essien (aka) Little Miss Jocelyn, and attended by other major stars such as Hugh Quashrie and Cyril Nri. Other major venues that he has played are the Jazz Cafe, Big Chill House and Hackney Empire. Most recently he was awarded with the trophy as the winner of the UK Unsigned Speciality Act 2008, which he was very privileged to receive.

He also has made various guest appearances on Sky based satellite station BEN TV and has been promoting the Latin jazz mix CD right across London. He has many ambitions but he feels most important it is vital to get young people into playing instruments.
Leon is also been guided & supported by industry professionals like Marlon Palmer from Kush Films (Promotions) and Cyril Nri (Inspector Adam Okara in TV series the Bill),

http://www.myspace.com/crazyharmonica

Kush Promotions ©2008