DOORS @6PM, SHOWTIME @7PM

Leonard King Jr. a/k/a Dr. Prof. Leonard King was born February 14, 1948 in Detroit MI. He was given his first record player at age 3 (which he still has) because his parents noticed he would become fixed in front of anyone's record player, and be transformed by all of the sounds coming out of the speakers. Fortunately for him, his father was a jukebox owner operator who was also an electrical mechanic. Leonard became a teenage bandleader in 1963 with his own group, Leonard King and the Soul Messengers, and has continued with his own ensembles to this very day.

The current and permanent instrumentation for Oopapada--with soprano saxophone or trumpet; alto & tenor saxophones; trombone; keyboards; double bass; and drums/vocals allows the ensemble to project outward and sound like a miniature big band. Also, there is an emphasis on original material, and original arrangements of compositions by other composers, which are transformed into the group's own personal identity.

THE BAND:

Mike Abbo—Trumpet

Aaron Snyder—Saxophones

Ben Lafo —Trombone

Eli Bucheit —Piano & Keyboard

Rocco Popielarski —Bass

Dr. Prof. Leonard King - Drums & vocals