Leander Morales
Leander’s past few years have seen him touring with BBC Folk album of the year winner Cara Dillon as well as performances with Woodstock legends Country Joe, Richie Havens right through to Ivor Novello award winning Glenn Tilbrook, Amy McDonald, Ben’s Brother, The Stranglers, Fairport Covention, The Blockheads and many others.
Musical influences: The Beatles, Queen, Bob Dylan, Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Holst, Mozart, Billy Joel, Ben Folds, Stone Temple Pilots, Led Zeppelin, Bob Marley, Run DMC, January Lynn, Beck.
Leander was born in the UK in 1977.
Leander’s Mother Jeanette Morales (aka “January Lynn”)
In the beginning: Leander carries a legacy that spans back to his mother and beyond. Leander’s mom, Jeanette was born and raised in Queens, New York. Jeanette was a Folk singer/songwriter for 20 years, working under the name of January Lynn She was a regular in the Folk clubs and coffee houses in New York’s, Greenwhich village and Long Island during the 60s. Her time as a musician/songwriter saw her share the stage with the likes of Bob Dylan and Richie Havens among many. She ran away from home aged just 16 and eventually toured the US prior to performing in Paris. This was followed by her life changing trip to the UK in the early 70s. Jeanette was hailed a true great artist and singer/guitarist but she refused to “Sell Out”, seeing the record industry as a place that would only detach her from her creativity and freedom as an artist and mother. She appeared in National magazine, Melody Maker and performed at the Marquee Club’s “Spare Rib” concert for woman’s rights, playing alongside “Joan Armatrading”. Having had her third son in 1977, “Leander”, She decided that being a great mum was now the most important and rewarding thing in her life. Jeanette’s father, Ralph Morales was a drummer in a Latin American band in the 40s and 50s. He spent much of his time in the US Navy but passed his musical roots on to Jeanette and eventually, Leander.
Leander’s father came from a working class background having been raised in rural Somerset, UK. Wayne was unlike many of those within his family. Instead of rooting himself firmly in his home town, he left home at an early age.
Aged 17, Wayne moved to London to seek an alternative life to that in rural Somerset. It wasn’t long before he was working with some great names in the London Rock Scene from Stray Dog to Slade. He worked as a Chef an Engineer, a Roadie, a road manager, a chaperone and many other things in and around London’s buzzing music scene. Wayne’s gift of the gab got him into all the trendy bars, clubs and allowed him to work with some of the greats of that day. A few years had passed by when Leander’s dad was soon to meet Leander’s mom, Jeanette. They fell in love and in 1974 their first son Alex was born. Living in a squat in East London was quite common for many artists and dream seekers of that day. Now with 2 children (1 from Jeanette’s previous marriage) and a 3rd on the way, Wayne and Jeanette moved to the West-Country to raise their family. 1977, Wiltshire UK. Leander was born.
The Early Years: Leander’s first few years of existence were spent living in a country village called Horningsham. Leander’s father was working for a local Sawmill, earning enough to stay in their rented accommodation on Lord Bath’s Longleat Estate, Wiltshire. The cottage they lived in was in need of a little repair. The winter would be so harsh that the family would all sleep together in the livingroom around the fire. With no central heating and damp walls. (Not quite as far fetched as Charlie and the chocolate factory!!)
it wasn’t long before Wayne moved his family to a neighboring village called Dilton Marsh. It was here that Leander would spend the next 10 years of his life.
Leander attended the local primary school. This is where Leander first showed an interest in music. Having been told disciplined in a school assembly, Leander was ordered to stand up and sing solo A Cappella to the Junior school. Having done this his teachers took notice and encouraged him to join the local church choir. Leander attended a handful of sessions but soon became disinterested in wearing a frilly collar, a cloak and singing hymns 2/3 times a week. Leander’s interest in music drifted away. Aware of how important music was, Leander’s parents always encouraged him to play music from Recorder, violin, Piano to guitar and voice. However, Leander was more content with playing Football in the neighboring field and going on nature hunts with his primary school friends. It wasn’t until Leander reached 14 that his real potential would once again emerge.
Leander was attending his local secondary school “Matravers Comprehensive” when a group of teachers decided to ambitiously stage 2 musical productions including “Grease” and “West-Side Story”. After attending the auditions Leander was given the lead role of Tony in West-Side Story. Possibly the most challenging vocal arrangement for Leander to take on but he soon received vocal training from Opera singer Steven Taylor. The performance inspired Leander to pursue a career in music.
Leander’s teenage years would see him growing up faster than most with the separation of his parents when he was 12 followed by the death of his brother Alexander at 15. During this time Leander would find any way to escape being at home. Playing in the school Rugby, athletics and football team to spending nights on his friends sofa watching MTV and Monty Python, Blackadder and Red Dwarf re-runs. During this time his mother was going through a traumatic time and finding it hard to cope. She was trying her best to start life again but the loss of her son was too much to take. Jeanette’s only positive was her new partner but it was also beginning to be too much for Leander to take and on 1 summers evening, Leander and his mom had a huge argument which led to Leander leaving his home to live with his dad in nearby Frome, Somerset.
Leander in “Little Shop of Horrors” aged 15
Imagine, your 16 with the idea that a festival was a few bands, some Morris dancers and a tombola. I was simply blown away!”
Leander’s dad had bought a property and was letting out rooms to the unemployed. All of which were involved in the 90s Dance movement. These were some of the top underground techno DJs of that time. Leander would often find himself at a free party or Universe. This was a bit of an eye opener to Leander and his quite so innocent up bringing.
LM – “I remember my dad asking if I wanted to go to a free party. We turned up at a farm in Devon to find over 5000 people having a rave. Loads of stalls, DJs, Lightshows, Giant robots! It was amazing!!”
Only a few months later and Leander had completed his GCSE’s. In late June 1994 Leander’s dad said 7 words that changed Leander’s perspective on music forever. ”Would you like to go to Glastonbury?” Those coming 5 days would alter Leander’s vision for a career. Leander now wanted to be a musician!!
Would you like to go to Glastonbury?
The Band Mark Standing, Andy Hill, Leander Morales, Nick Hillary, Jaime Thornton
Leander channeled much of his energy through songwriting and performing. He soon decided to form a band with some friends at school. As a group they didn’t take things seriously. They won 2 regional battle of the bands contests and aged only 16, Leander and his band were one of the youngest circuit acts performing at many of the circuit bars, clubs and venues. They performed at the relaunch of Radio Caroline on Bristol’s famed “Thekla” the home of radio DJ Tony Blackburn and co. The band also went on to appear on cable TV show “Pump TV” hosted by the charismatic “Sacha Baron Cohen” (Aka Ali G, Borat.) As the band approached the end of college and 6th form, they realised that there lay a difficult road ahead. Two of the band members pursued alternative careers at University whilst Leander left college to pursue music as a live artist. Despite the split, the band had the kind of adventure that stories are made of.
LM – “We were playing the Rock Garden in Covent Garden one night. After our set, Indie band Ultrasound took to the stage when suddenly police stormed the club and ordered us all to leave immediately. We evacuated the club and assembled in Covent Garden to discover that an IRA bomb had exploded at the place where we were due to catch a coach with our following. We were lucky it was only 1 hour from pick up or I may not be here to tell the story!! We spent the night wondering the streets of London before we finally found our coach and returned home for 7am.”
After the split of Leander’s first band, Leander formed other various acts whilst continuing to write and perform solo.
This was the beginning of a more serious career as a musician.
Since Leander’s solo expedition he has toured and performed with some amazing acts of the 20th century including Fairport Convention, Spencer Davis, Stackeridge, Country Joe McDonald, Richie Havens, LOVE, The Stranglers, The Spin Doctors, The Blockheads, Glenn Tilbrook, Cara Dillon, Amy McDonald, Hugh Cornwell, Ben’s Brother, The Yardbirds, Katherine Williams, Wishbone Ash, Nick Harper and many others. Leander’s versatility has allowed him to open shows ranging from Folk to Blues, Jazz, Rock, Dance and Indie. As a youngster Leander worked as a live dance MC, representing the UK in Switzerlands, “Virtua II” Festival in Zurich.
LM – “My Dad was working in Switzerland as a masseur. During his visit he was invited to some of the biggest techno parties in Switzerland. He was quick to exploit the talents of those he knew back in the UK. Afterall, his lodgers were all Top dance DJs and I was a singer!! I recall full 5 star treatment at the Nova Park Hotel, Zurich. It was an unbelievable experience! I had never sung over German techno music until now!”
It was actually Leander’s only performance as a Dance MC. Leander’s heart & Soul lay in writing and performing rock and acoustic music.
I was 17 at the time. I didn’t have a lot of self-confidence and I didn’t want to perform in that kind of environment. However, I’ve co-written a few Dance tracks since. I guess the experience was bound to have some impact!
This was the best decision for Leander who’s own creativity later gave him access to perform his own original material at Glastonbury Festival, The Village Pump and Wychwood Festival among many.
Leander recorded his first solo EP titled “The Live Session”.
Morales/Watts: This project was born through the creation of a short-term touring project titled “Leander Morales & The Planets”. Leander was auditioning a drummer who bought a session guitarist “Jon Watts” with him to the studio. Leander ended up recruiting Jon and later went on to form a songwriting partnership “Morales/Watts”. Together they performed shows up and down the UK and received excellent reviews from both regional and national press. The project is currently on hold due to Jon watts completing his degree. Read more on Morales/Watts.
Leander is currently recording and promoting.
The Family: Leander lives with his partner Hayley. Together they have a son (1 yr) and daughter (6 yrs).
