Jazz musician and song writer based in Melbourne Australia.
That's me in the centre of the photo with my world music trio - Zebra Crossing
Artist Bio - Leo Dale
Leo Dale was born in Melbourne, Australia and grew up surrounded by musician’s as his father was a part time folk music promoter. Drawn to music at an early age he joined a boys choir at 10 and started gigging and touring around the country at age 11, travelling to Japan to sing at 14. In the ensuing 30 years of playing he has played in every hall, ball, mall and festival in Australia and many stages throughout Asia.
Current projects include
Oxo Cubans - Legendary Australian brass persussion and vocal band
Zebra Crossing - African jazz that ROCKS!
Moonlight Drive - Jazz to cool the hottest day of summer
http://www.leodale.com
+61 3 9318 7963 ph / fax
leodale@netspace.net.au
Press Info
African Jazz that Rocks. - The Herald
Liltingly ethereal and driven by an irrepressible township beat. - The Age
All the sensibilities of ambient groove but with the added tonal warmth of beautifully played instruments from traditions around the globe. - Sydney Morning Herald
Head out on the highway with this disk spinning and the miles just melt away. - Adelaide Advertiser
Influences
West African percussion, European jazz, sax and flute. The inimitable sound of beautiful South African vocals, guitar and kalimba.
Bio
Valanga Khoza and Leo Dale have now joined forces with Sri Lankan master percussionist Ray Pereira to form Zebra Crossing. Their recordings are characterised by a great degree of interaction without losing the incessant groove which is at the heart of the musical traditions that they weave together.
Ray Pereira grew up in Sri Lanka and at home he listened to his father's record collection of Harry Belafonte, Miriam Makeba, Country and Western and the Sri lankan baila. This eclectic musical background has influenced him to collaborate with a diverse array of leading artists .He has also travelled extensively in Africa and Cuba studying and playing with traditional musicians.
Valanga Khoza is South African born and bred. He has lived in Swaziland, Mozambique, USA and Australia since 1989. He grew up singing, playing kalimba and the Shijororo (jaw harp) eventually learning to play guitars, traditional flutes and various other African instruments. His performances are distinguished by passionate and energetic presentation of voice, percussion, song, traditional instruments and dance.
Leo Dale was born 6 months before Valanga and grew up in Melbourne Australia. He started gigging at the age of 11 and toured to Japan at age 14. He now plays all the saxes, two flutes and is best known for his work with Oxo Cubans. He can organise his way out of anything but saves this talent solely for the production of music.