"This young artist is so much more than just a brilliant, classically trained musician. Joe brings power and passion to each note and a level of musical engagement that belies his youth. This sophisticated music is wrought with such emotion that it will leave you powerless to resist its magic."
Sandy Shore, SmoothJazz.com
Joe & ‘Dave Koz & Friends’
After the successful recording of Joe’s debut Live album, ‘Seductive Sax’, at the Pheasantry Jazz club in London, Joe was introduced to his boyhood saxophone hero, Dave Koz, by a mutual friend. In true British style, Joe and his manager, Jacqui Taylor, invited Dave to tea at the Palm Court at The Langham Hotel, London.
Joe had the privilege of seeing Dave Koz perform at the Pizza Express Jazz Club in Soho, with iconic vocalist, Chris Walker, who also served as Al Jarreau’s Musical Director for many years. Joe would later perform his own show at Pizza Express Jazz Club.
GALA JAZZ CRUISE
Becoming fast friends, Dave wrote a beautiful quote endorsing Joe’s debut album, and invited him to perform at his prestigious ‘Dave Koz & Friends at Sea’ gala jazz cruise that summer! Reaching the top 20 in the Smooth Jazz Charts, Joe’s ‘Seductive Sax’ album was supported and promoted by the top online Smooth Jazz platform, SmoothJazz.com. Two of its directors, Sandy Shore and Esther Healy, were on the cruise to support all the artists!
LEGENDARY LINE-UP
This amazing floating Jazz festival, featured some of the most iconic Artists in Smooth Jazz / Jazz Fusion / RnB & Soul. Hosted by Dave Koz, artists included Gerald Albright, Kirk Whalum, Mindi Abair, Richard Elliot, Brian Culbertson, Peter White, Vincent Ingala, Sheila E and Michael McDonald.
“It was such a privilege to meet one of the most inspirational saxophone players in my development as a saxophone artist. Dave is a great player and great guy!” – Joe Leader
"Joe Leader comes on to the instrumental music scene with a fresh approach and point of view on this new project. A great saxophonist for sure, but also a wonderful storyteller with his songwriting and ability to deliver a melody."
Dave Koz, American Saxophone Legend
Joe & Andrew Lloyd Webber
After winning the Daily Telegraph Young Jazz Awards in 1995, with his King Alfred School music group, Joe was asked to audition for Andrew Lloyd Webber for his Sydmonton Festival at the Queens Theatre in Wardour Street, London. After moving and improvising on stage for 60 seconds, Andrew Lloyd Webber popped out of the shadows and immediately accepted Joe!
Special thanks to Arlene Phillips (Choreographer – The Really Useful Group) and her daughter Alana, who put me forward for the audition!
SYDMONTON FESTIVAL
It was an exciting festival held at Andrew Lloyd Webber’s country estate, with Andrew presenting his new musical ideas! As Lead saxophonist in ‘The Metal Philharmonic’, Joe featured alongside renowned opera singer, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Stephen Gately (formally of Boyzone) and international violinist, Linda Brava.
"Thank you very much indeed for all the hard work you put in to making the Metal Phil such an outstanding success at this year's Sydmonton Festival. Madeleine joins me in thanking you and wishing you all the very best for great success in your career."
Andrew Lloyd Webber
Joe & ‘Global Angels’
During the Live recording of Joe’s debut album, ‘Seductive Sax’, at the Pheasantry Jazz Club, London, he was privileged to meet Molly Bedingfield, the mother of pop stars Daniel Bedingfield and Natasha Bedingfield. After enjoying the show, Molly invited Joe to become an ambassador for her international charity, Global Angels.
GLOBAL ANGELS
The Global Angels Foundation inspires and helps to develop disadvantaged communities around the world to transform sustainably. Projects and resources include safe drinking water, education and healthcare.
AWARDS GALA
As part of their fundraising activities, Global Angels holds a yearly awards gala, with music and entertainment, to honour the work of its Angels and supporters. Joe and his band were invited to perform at the 2012 Global Angels Awards at the Brewery, London – featuring with Joss Stone, Beverley Knight and Sandie Shaw!
"Thanks Joe, you were great! We must do that again sometime!"
Joss Stone
Joe & Joseph Calleja
As a Decca recording artist and Grammy nominated opera singer, Joseph Calleja has an extensive discography which includes complete operas and concert repertoire, as well as seven solo albums: The Golden Voice, Tenor Arias, The Maltese Tenor, Be My Love: A Tribute to Mario Lanza, Amore, Verdi and The Magic of Mantovani.
FIREWORKS AT FLORIANA
In 2018, Joe was invited to perform alongside Eros Ramazzotti and Joseph Calleja, with the Malta Philharmonic orchestra - at the prestigious Floriana Music Concert, Malta. Conducted by the renowned US conductor, Eugene Kohn, the packed Granaries square was an incredible sight to behold…with fireworks ending the show on Joe’s last high note!
"A leading virtuoso for the modern age…Bravo Joe!"
Joseph Calleja, Maltese Operatic Tenor
Joe & Andrea Bocelli
At Joe’s performance with Joseph Calleja and Eros Ramazzotti at the Floriana Granaries, Malta, he was honoured to meet the famed US conductor, Eugene Kohn, who was conducting the show. Eugene has been Andrea Bocelli’s conductor for many years, and after hearing Joe perform, suggested that they should meet up in person!
MEETING ANDREA
Joe and his manager, Jacqui Taylor, had the privilege of meeting Andrea and his wife Veronica, before his 2018 show at London’s 02 Arena. Joe was asked to play an acapella version of Lucio Dalla’s ‘Caruso’ for Andrea before his show. Andrea gave Joe a lovely complement, saying that he played the saxophone just like an opera singer, with heart, emotion and power. Joe looks forward to the opportunity of performing with Andrea in the near future.
"A bright spark on the UK smooth jazz scene. Joe shines like the brightest of stars. Do not miss the opportunity to see this up and coming saxophone colossus. Jazztastic!"
Alex Lloyd, Head of ‘Live’ at Jazz FM (former)
Joe & Rudolph Walker
Joe first met Rudolph Walker CBE, at the Global Angels Awards, hosted by founder and CEO, Molly Bedingfield. He was a personal friend of Joe’s manager, Jacqui Taylor.
‘The Rudolph Walker Foundation aims to unlock the potential and promote the wellbeing of young people, by involving them in high-quality performing arts experiences and welcoming them into an inspiring, creative and supportive family.’
THE LEGENDARY VOICE
Rudolph kindly agreed to act as MC, to introduce my show at the Leicester Square Theatre 2012/13. With his dulcet tones and deep seductive voice, he set the perfect atmosphere for this ‘Seductive Sax’ show!
"For Joe, the instrument is his voice which he plays from the heart. I've seen him grow to become one of the top contemporary saxophone players. Joe’s playing lights up a stadium, and his music is an uplifting guiding light!"
Gary Spence, Solar Radio DJ
Joe & Nicholas O’Neill
Nicholas O’Neill is an award-winning composer, musician and orchestrator. Joe’s manager, Jacqui Taylor, met Nicholas after singing at a concert with the Southbank Sinfonia, an orchestra that Nicholas works with. Jacqui introduced Nicholas to Joe, who was looking for a music consultant to work on his new cinematic album, ‘Healing the Heart’. The two of them became fast friends and worked together through the entire project.
THE DREAM TEAM
Nicholas worked with Joe on the arrangement, orchestration and co-wrote three of the songs. He also conducted the orchestra (musicians from the Royal Academy of Music and Guildhall School) and the Mosaic Chamber Choir during the recording of the album, at RAK Studios, London.
"Joe is an absolutely spectacular player, equally capable of gentle and shimmering tones as he is of virtuoso pyrotechnics. Joe certainly knows his stuff; he works unbelievably hard on his technique and has an astonishing focus on detail."
