His career in showbusiness began at the age of 20 when playing saxophone for Jerry Lee Lewis, who dubbed him, “the greatest sax player I have ever toured with”. Afterwards, Leo Green joined Van Morrison’s band from 1995 to 2000, where he toured the world and appeared on many of their albums.
The BBC Radio 2 broadcaster will next show off his musical credentials in Sounds Of The 50s live at Millfield Theatre this Thursday.
Leo's band will play an array of catchy tunes from the likes of Elvis, Buddy Holly, James Brown, Sam Cooke, Ray Charles and Fats Domino.
The music will be woven around Leo’s stories, which will feature the smooth sounds of a saxophone alongside classic covers of The Drifters, Frankie Lymon And The Teenagers, Julie London, Peggy Lee, Cliff Richard and Neil Sedaka.
Leo has been writing and presenting radio shows since the 1990s, including gems such as In Conversation With…Van Morrison, Celebrating The American Songbook, Friday Night Is Music Night, Ella & The Songbooks, Remembering the Candy Man; Sammy Davis Jr, Gershwin Rediscovered, Leo Green's Hollywood Special, and Green On Green; a Celebration of Benny Green.
The 44-year-old is the son of the late BBC Radio 2 broadcaster, writer, and musician Benny Green and actress Toni Kanal, and he is also the brother of the writer and musician, Dominic Green.
Leo has worked with celebrities including the Rolling Stones' Ronnie Wood, The Jam’s Paul Weller, Lionel Ritchie and also created the BluesFest in 2011, which is now in its sixth year. The festival is usually held at the O2 and last year Sir Tom Jones and Sir Van Morrison appeared on stage together for the very first time in London.
Speaking about the tour, Leo says: "It's an honour to be on radio presenting Sounds Of The 50s. I can't wait to present this great music live with some of the best musicians and singers this country has ever produced.
“The 50s really was the decade that musically had everything and when you see and hear the songs performed live on stage, there is simply nothing like it - I am very excited.”
Sounds Of The 50s, Millfield Theatre, Silver Street, Edmonton, N18 1PJ, Thursday, September 29, 7.45pm. Details: 020 8807 6680, enfield.gov.uk/millfield
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