Leonard Thompson - Piano
leonardthompson@juno.com

Raised in the quiet Orange County suburb of Capistrano Beach, Leonard was exposed to music at an early age, both by way of his father, a first rate musician and jazz pianist, and his mother, who had a passion for jazz and played bass as well. Leonard has studied both jazz and classical music since age 8, starting with his father, Rex and continuing privately with others.

He started playing professionally in 1993, while attaining his degree in Geology from UC Santa Cruz. Since that time, Leonard has kept busy as a freelance sideman for instrumentalists and vocalists throughout the bay area. He has appeared at many area performance venues, including Yoshi's, Kuumbwa Jazz Center, The Jazz Store, Garden City, Jazz at Pearl's, and the The Monterey and San Jose jazz festivals.

Music has afforded Leonard enjoyable travel opportunitties within the states, Japan, and Central America. Aside from gigs, Leonard is currently enjoying a renewed focus on writing original material.

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