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Orlando Le Fleming
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Orlando Le Fleming
BIO
Among the most proficient and accomplished bassists in the field of
contemporary jazz, Orlando le Fleming's virtuoso technique, boundless
creativity and powerful beat are those of a musician who has found
himself, humbly, occupying a space in the uppermost stratum of American
improvised music.
Orlando's facility as an improviser and capacity as a team player were first
honed not on the bandstand, nor in the practice room, but on the cricket
pitch. Originally from the UK, Orlando seemed destined for an athletic
career, and was briefly a professional cricketer, until he was granted a
place at London’s Royal Academy of music, and his lifelong passion for
music won out.
Le Fleming's 2003 move to New York City was a timely one. Soon after
arriving stateside, Orlando joined Jane Monheit's band, consequently
sharing the bass duties on her 2004 release Taking a Chance on Love with
Ron Carter and Christian McBride; the year following, he recorded with
jazz legend Jimmy Cobb on his Marsalis Music Honors release. In the
years since, leaders as diverse as Branford Marsalis, Joey Calderazzo,
Kurt Rosenwinkel, Bill Charlap, Billy Cobham, Ari Hoenig, Seamus
Blake, Jeff “Tain” Watts and David Sanchez have relied on Le Fleming's
firm beat and eloquent counterpoint to propel their rhythm sections
forward.
While he succeeds as a sideman, it is as a leader that Orlando le Fleming
truly shines. From Brooklyn With Love is a living document of Orlando's
original compositions, as performed by his 2010 quartet. Recorded in
concert at storied Park Slope hangout Freddy's, it features saxophonist
Will Vinson, guitarist Lage Lund, and drummer Antonio Sanchez. Riding
the high acclaim of this initial release, Lund, Vinson, and Le Fleming would
go on to form the drum-less OWL Trio, whose eponymous 2013 debut
was hailed by critics and listeners alike. Downbeat declared “Everything
about this album, which should contend for debut of the year honors, is a
resounding success. The music swings effortlessly, every utterance is
gorgeous and the recording is intimate and beautiful."
More recently, Orlando has become recognized as a keen doubler: 2016
brought a wide array of opportunities as an electric bassist, from
accompanying Tony-winning vocalist Leslie Odom Jr. to navigating the
shifting metrics of Wayne Krantz's legendary 55 Bar residency. His latest
endeavor, Romantic Funk, presents a pastiche of classic fusion sounds
and ideas, updated by Le Fleming's signature palette of polyrhythm and
abstract exploration. 2020 will the see the release of Romantic Funk’s
second album - The Unfamiliar, and also a new OWL Trio record featuring
grammy winning vocalist, Kurt Elling.
Website
Quotes
An outstanding bassist takes a turn towards muscular fusion” - WGBO
"Long may Orlando Le Fleming's electric jazz renaissance continue." - Jazzwise Magazine (Editor's Choice)
"Funk and jazz lexicons intertwine and consolidate with wisdom in this exciting tribute to the fusion of the 1980s... With the group members on the same wavelength, the music works as it should." - JazzTrail
"Worthy and engaging... with strong compositions and stellar playing." - Bebop Spoken Here
"An implicit sensibility for group interaction, intuition, and improvisation." - News Break
“The power and precision of the performances astonish throughout.” - Drum Head Magazine