LESLIE DRAYTON
Genres: RnB, Big Band, Pop, Art Song, Folk, Vocal Jazz • United States

Leslie’s fascination with music began as a toddler when his mother discovered that he would pick out melodies on a neighbor’s piano. He began formal musical training at around 5 or 6 years of age by studying piano, clarinet and bongo drums. At age 11, jazz great, Benny Carter, a family friend gave him a trumpet. Leslie decided at age 15 that he wanted to be a professional musician when he joined a local youth band. Through his association with the youth band he was taught arranging, composing and music preparation skills. Upon graduating from Los Angeles High School, he attended L. A. Valley College and later transferred to California State University at Los Angeles where he earned a B. A. in Music Education. During his college years, Leslie began his professional music career by playing and writing for local R & B bands, big bands, and was also a read more...