For those unaware, David Leon is a Miami-born saxophonist, woodwinds player, composer, and improviser living in Brooklyn, New York. His work is guided by a persistent search for vitality through autonomy, contradiction, hyperbole, and humor.

His work with the saxophone investigates alternate methods for producing a tone, refinement of these techniques, and development of a distinct vocabulary using these sounds; he melds this timbral approach with melodic and rhythmic phrasing from Cuban folkloric traditions, narrative playing, Free Jazz & avant-garde esthetics, and microtonality to reveal a personal conceit.

David’s current projects include Bird’s Eye, a trio with Doyeon Kim and Lesley Mok which will release its first recording this March 8th, 2024 on Pyroclastic Records, and Locomotive, a double horns-guitars-percussion trio co-led alongside Adam O’Farrill.

His debut album, Aire de Agua (released August 2021 on Out of Your Head Records) has been praised as “a splendid debut from a young saxophone player who, starting with the right foot, promises to make a name for himself in the creative jazz scene” (Felipe Freitas, JazzTrail).

He has also released two albums in the Current Obsession series that documents improvisations with current collaborators.

1. You won’t find it by yourself
2. Ay-ya
3. Nothing Urgent, Just Unfortunate
4. to speak in flowers
5. A Night For Counting Stars
6. Secret Footshake
7. Expressive Jargon I & III
8. Infatuation Station
9. Secret Handshake
10. Palmetto

This emotionally hued new recording opens on the jaunty You won’t find it by yourself and the spirited Ay-ya and they are followed by the organically layered Nothing Urgent (featuring Doyeon Kim & Lesley Mok), Just Unfortunate, the atmospherically-sculpted to speak in flowers, and then we get the playful A Night For Counting Stars.

Along next is the embroidered Secret Footshake and the preciseness of sound found within Expressive Jargon I & III and they are in turn backed seamlessly by the expressive yearn of Infatuation Station, the album rounding out on the veritably ethereal Secret Handshake, closing on the articulate Palmetto.

Musicians:
David Leon - soprano & alto saxophones, alto flute, piccolo
DoYeon Kim - gayagum, voice
Lesley Mok - drumset & percussion, glockenspiel

Official Purchase Link