SHOWTIMES: 7:30pm and 9:30pm. Bonafide, exceptional, phenomenal, special, rare, vocal extraordinaire are all words that people regularly use to describe the musical talent of Leonard Julien, III. Leonard is a true rhythm and blues, soul singer. He is considered a seasoned veteran at his craft and has made quite a name for himself, locally and abroad. Some say that he is one of the last “soul preachers” of his generation. He has a tremendous vocal range where he can take you from Barry White all the way to Peabo Bryson because he, like a chameleon, is able to change his voice at will.

A native of Donaldsonville, Louisiana, Leonard comes from an extremely musical family where his mother is a singer and his father plays the saxophone and sings as well. As a youngster, he was literally infatuated with playing the saxophone like his dad, which he started at age 11. His grandfather, Leonard Julien, Sr., led a big band in the 1950s called the Leonard Julien Orchestra. In addition, the well-known Pink Panther theme song was played by his cousin, Plas Johnson, who happens to be Leonard’s mentor. Music has definitely shaped Leonard’s childhood.

He earned a scholarship to play the saxophone at Southern University under the direction of Dr. Isaac Greggs and the Southern University Marching Band. He also studied jazz ensemble with Alvin Battiste. Leonard’s vocal talent was later discovered by Dr. Isaac Greggs, Band Director of Southern University Marching Band.

Whether it is crooning or blowing the horn, Leonard does them both well. In fact, blues singer, Millie Jackson, hired him as a saxophonist and occasional background vocalist. While touring with Millie, Leonard received a personal call from Otis Williams of the Temptations, to sing the voiceover of David Ruffin in the NBC mini-series, “The Temptations.” Leonard also recorded a demo for one of his all-time favorite male vocalists, Peabo Bryson, who re-recorded the song entitled, “We’ve Come Too Far” for his Unconditional Love album. He is featured on Outkast’s (legendary hip-hop group) hit, “The Whole World”, and “I Like the Way You Move”. He recently toured as saxophonist and background vocalist with Peabo Bryson and Regina Belle.

As a vocalist, Leonard has been the featured opening act for the likes of Stevie Wonder, Ann Nesby, Howard Hewitt, Johnny Adams, Denise LaSalle, Tyrone Davis, Jeffrey Osborne, B.B. King, and Ray, Goodman & Brown, MC Hammer, Najee, Kem, just to name a few. He has also appeared on Jay Leno, The Dave Chappell Show, and the Wayne Brady Show as a saxophonist. His debut CD, “Reflections of Soul,” triumphed at #1 on European charts for 8 straight weeks and on CD Baby. Click here to videos of various recording artists who have featured Leonard on lead, or saxophones.