artist Aaron Leaney

Aaron Leaney is a Canadian saxophonist and composer who has been performing for over eight years. His repertoire spans across a great variety of genres, from avant-guard improvised music to alt rock. He is an experienced and professionally trained jazz musician, but by no means does he choose to remain limited to one genre of music.

Leaney’s first LP recording, Duo, released October 2006 with drummer Chris Dadge, shows the versatility and exploring spirit of his playing. This live recorded disc represents the focus of the group: spontaneous improvisation. In 2003, he moved to Toronto to attend Humber College where he completed a Bachelors of Music degree in Jazz Studies with honours.

Since 2001, Aaron has been teaching all levels of improvisation, theory and woodwinds (saxophone, flute, clarinet) for children and adults. Leaney has studied with Calgary’s John Hyde, Ralf Buschmeyer, Eric Friedenberg, Gary DeBoeck, and Bob Day. For two years in Toronto, Aaron studied individually with saxophonist Pat LaBarbera whose credits span from Buddy Rich to Elvin Jones.

At Humber he was able to learn from among others, Kelly Jefferson, Brian Dickinson, Kirk MacDonald, and Don Thompson. Compositionally, Leaney brings a long list of influences to his recordings; among others, Wayne Shorter, Thelonius Monk, reggae icon Bob Marley, producer Daniel Lanois, Brian Blade, Brad Mehldau, Johann Sebastian Bach, and Icelandic vocalist Björk.

Aaron Leaney bandleader