| MILK & JADE by Dana Leong |  |
jazz beyond
friday, august 13
8:00pm
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MILK & JADE by Dana Leong features the talent of composer Dana Leong, often referred to as a “hi-def Yo-Yo Ma,” who also supplies the group with his expertise on cello and trombone. Leong brings his unique vision and experience, and uses a laptop during performances to create electronic beats and manipulate the sound of instruments to create a dynamic, genre-blending sound.
Leong's musical accomplishments as both a performer and composer range from Grammy nominations for his participation in groups such as the Dafnis Prieto Absolute Quintet to collaboration with artists such as Ray Charles, Diddy, Kanye West and Wynton Marsalis.
The quartet, Dana, Hagor, Core and Yoni Halery, has received critical acclaim and attracts audiences as diverse as its sound. New York magazine commends a recent performance at BAM café as hands down excellent, moving on to describe the attending audience as a mix of gray curls, flowing caftans, dapper Fonzworth Bentley–style suits, and quite a few zip hoodies.
The band completed a sold-out tour through Asia as part of The Rhythm Road: American Music Abroad Program. The program, produced in conjunction with the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and Jazz at Lincoln Center, picked MILK & JADE by Dana Leong from a pool of applicants to serve as an urban quartet that best reflected the talent and diversity of modern musicians from across America.
MILK & JADE by Dana Leong: Dana Leong (bandleader, cello, trombone), Corey Lima aka iLLspokKinN (MC, vocals), Hagar Ben Ari (bass) & Yoni Halevy (drums).
