“The most important thing to Alex Leong is making sure people have a good time when he plays his music.”
photo by Hannah Matthews Photography
ARTIST’S STATEMENT
The role of the musician is in service to the community, to provide a common voice through song and dance in occupied space for the preservation of cultural traditions, as described in Roll With It: Brass Bands in the Streets of New Orleans.
An advocate for the humanities, Alex Leong strives to create a safe and inclusive environment for visibility, self-expression, and liberation through performance and representation. As an Asian American, he is proud to be an example of fearless joy demonstrated by his strong work ethic and creative excellence.
NAME DROPS
Alex has performed with “The Original Funky Drummer” Clyde Stubblefield, STS9, Joe Dart (Vulfpeck), and has entertained First Lady Hillary Clinton, DJ Kool Herc, Harvey Scales, Taj Mahal, Dick Dale, and outfielder George Bell.
He currently collaborates with Los Angeles songwriter Mike Maimone, he keeps “the dream of the 90s” alive with Don’t Speak: A No Doubt Tribute, and he wants to DJ your next event.
CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
2004-2008:
A graduate of Millikin University, Alex Leong began his career in Madison, Wisconsin, performing with "The Original Funky Drummer" Clyde Stubblefield every week at Funky Mondays, where the band was recognized as “Best Blues Artist” by The Madison Area Music Association. Additional performances with regional artists included Jimmy Voegeli, The Gomers, and Sam Winch. Alex gained his expertise with sheet music from Musicnotes, Inc. and Ward-Brodt Music Mall, as well as from serving as Music Librarian for the Madison Community Orchestra at Madison College.
2009-2013:
Alex relocated to Chicago, Illinois, to study the traditions of the blues, early jazz, R&B, soul, warehouse music, indie rock, theater, and comedy. His creativity developed at The Second City Training Center, i.O. Theater, and The Annoyance Theatre, where he took on the role of Musical Director for independent stage productions and comedy revues.
He developed the website trombone.alex as a musicology resource for the education and preservation of funk trombone, featuring 250+ transcriptions, song histories, and biographies - independent research that has been entirely member-supported for 8+ years.
trombone.alex - Total Transcriptions
Alex finished the Chicago Marathon with the musical time of 4 hours and 40 minutes (4:40).
2014-2015:
Alex started rolling with Four Star Brass Band & Who Dat Nation: Chicago Chapter, and he performed with Milwaukee's Extra Crispy Brass Band at the Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival. His participation at the Chicago Nerd Comedy Festival led to him joining Don't Speak: A No Doubt Tribute in the role of Brass & Keyboards.
2016-2019:
Alex recorded with Chicago Blues Hall of Famer Liz Mandeville for the album The Stars Motel and with songwriter William Steffey for the album Reality Jockey. He collaborated with Los Angeles songwriter Mike Maimone on The High Hat Club and appeared at Mile of Music and Summer Camp Music Festival. Additional performances included Chicago Pride Fest, Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival, and with the musical theater duo, Reddyk & Krupp. Alex assisted at Northwestern University Bienen School of Music and began providing DJ services at private events.
2020-2022:
After the global set-break, Alex resumed his work with Mike Maimone on the albums Broke, Not Broken, Mookie’s Big Gay Mixtape, and The Studio Nashville, showcased with a main stage performance at Nashville Pride Festival. He helped coordinate a successful fundraising campaign for the Chicago Independent Radio Project (CHIRP) and assisted Smashed Plastic Record Pressing with the production of major album releases by Wilco and Sonic Youth.
2023-present:
Alex published his 300th trombone transcriptions, and he released Trampled Radio and No Sleep ‘Til Christmas on his record label, Better Pepper Records. He returned to Madison, Wisconsin, for a new role with Musicnotes, Inc. in music royalties.
PERFORMANCES
Mike Maimone • Los Angeles, CA
Trombone / Arranger • rock • touring / recording
Don’t Speak: A No Doubt Tribute • Chicago, IL
Trombone / Keyboards • rock / ska • touring
The Clyde Stubblefield Band • Madison, WI • 2005 – 2008
Trombone • funk / R&B • touring / artist residency
James Brown’s original “Funky Drummer”
Freelance Trombone
Extra Crispy Brass Band • Milwaukee, WI • New Orleans jazz
High Hat Second Line • Chicago, IL • New Orleans jazz
Two Sweet Horns • Chicago, IL • street performance
Four Star Brass Band • Chicago, IL • New Orleans jazz
Long Time Friction • Chicago, IL • reggae / ska
Ridgeville Band of Evanston • Evanston, IL • classical
Horner Park Jazz Band • Chicago, IL • big band jazz
STS9 • Atlanta, GA • jam rock
Sam Winch • Appleton, WI • Americana
The Gomers • Madison, WI • rock
Madison Community Orchestra • Madison, WI • classical
FESTIVALS
Nashville Pride Festival • Nashville, TN • 2021 - 2022
Mike Maimone
Summer Camp Music Festival • Chillicothe, IL • 2019
Mike Maimone
Chicago Pride Fest • Chicago, IL • 2018 - 2019
Don’t Speak: A No Doubt Tribute
Mile of Music • Appleton, WI • 2017
Mike Maimone
Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival • Chicago, IL • 2016
FRIENDS: The One Where They Sing
Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival • Marquette, MI • 2015
Extra Crispy Brass Band • headliner
City of Chicago Fifth Star Awards • Chicago, IL • 2014
Four Star Brass Band
AWARDS
Best Blues Artist • Madison Area Music Association • Madison, WI
The Clyde Stubblefield Band • 2007
Best Musician • Madison Magazine • Madison, WI
The Clyde Stubblefield Band • 2007
Outstanding Band • Elmhurst Jazz Festival • Elmhurst, IL
Millikin University Jazz Band • 2004
PRESS
RECORDINGS
No Sleep ‘Til Christmas • Alex Leong
Better Pepper Records • 2024 • Producer
Trampled Radio • Alex Leong
Better Pepper Records • 2023 • Producer
Unfollow • Mike Maimone
8eat8 Records • 2024 • Trombone
The Studio Nashville • Mike Maimone
8eat8 Records • 2023 • Trombone, Arranger
Mookie’s Big Gay Mixtape • Mike Maimone
8eat8 Records • 2023 • Trombone, Arranger
Broke, Not Broken • Mike Maimone
8eat8 Records • 2021 • Trombone, Arranger
The High Hat Club • Mike Maimone
8eat8 Records • 2018 • Trombone, Arranger
Singles • Mike Maimone • 8eat8 Records:
“Unfollow [ExFactor Version]” • 2024 • Trombone
“Call the Locksmith” • 2023 • Trombone
“Before He Cheats” • 2022 • Trombone, Arranger
“Voodoo Lady” • 2022 • Trombone
“I Wish I Didn’t Know You Anymore” • 2022 • Trombone, Arranger
“Stay” • 2022 • Trombone
“If It’s Hot, It’ll Sell (Live)” • 2021 • Trombone
“Garbougie” • 2019 • Trombone, Arranger
Reality Jockey • William Steffey
Aquariphone Music • 2019 • Trombone
The Stars Motel • Liz Mandeville
Blue Kitty Music • 2016 • Trombone
In The Green Room Podcast, Ep. 7
Artfinix Studios • 2019 • Featured Guest
CONTRIBUTOR
“CHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Alex Leong” • The CHIRP Blog • December 13, 2022
MUSIC CLINICS
Music Industry Cities: Chicago • Millikin University • Decatur, IL • Guest Lecturer
Minneapolis Meets Milwaukee • Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival • Marquette, MI • Extra Crispy Brass Band
Funk Drumming • Tonic Room • Chicago, IL • The Clyde Stubblefield Band
EDUCATION
Millikin University • Decatur, IL • 2004
Bachelor of Music: Commercial Music
Jazz Band / Concert Band / Jazz Combo
Millitrax Recording Studio Manager
Guest Performer, “Almost 76 Trombones,” Dr. Gary Shaw • 2019