Baba Leon has been drumming since age 10 and has accumulated nearly 50 years of musical experience.  His primary focus has been in the realm of hand drumming.  That experience has included playing with many varied types of bands such as African, Reggae,  Rock,  Country, Jazz and every thing in between.  His specialty is African and Afro-Caribbean rhythms.

Babatuni (Michael) Olatunji the Nigerian master and founder of the group “ Drums of Passion “ has been the strongest influence in Leon’s musical career.  Gordy Ryan, a 20 year veteran  of Drums of Passion has been his mentor and trainer for the past 10 years, focusing on West African culture, rhythms, and  dance.  He has also trained with a number of prominent drum masters from Africa.  Some of those include Godwin Agbele,  Mohammed DeCosta, and the Chuck Davis African American Dance Theater.

 Current activities include collaborations with the Theater and Dance Departments of Santa Fe Community College, and the University of Florida.  Leon is a co-founder of the African drumming group “ The Lost Safari Drummers “ where he continues to act in the capacity of performer and group manager.   He also accompanies a local jazz group and a number of guitatists/vocalists.  Leon has been an instructor for Santa Fe Community College community education classes in hand drumming for the past 6 years and also, as an adjunct professor conducts a credit course in African and Afro-Caribbean ensemble drumming.

 In addition to these activities Leon owns and operates a small business which manufactures and markets African Drums and accessories, under the name, “ L.J. Percussion.   He can be found on the web at
http://LJPercussion.com (URL)
BabaLeon@LJPercussion.com  (E-mail)