Artist Profile
Leon Alvarado emerges as a multifaceted artist, seamlessly navigating the realms of music and visual design. Collaborating with luminaries such as Rick Wakeman, Bill Bruford, Billy Sherwood, Trey Gunn, John Helliwell, Leon’s musical journey is a testament to his versatility and creativity.
Leon’s inaugural album, “Plays Genesis and Other Original Stuff,” debuted in December 2008. This project seamlessly weaves together Genesis cover songs with original compositions, showcasing the band’s diverse musical styles over the years. Mastered by Tony Cousins, known for his work on the Genesis box sets from 2007 to 2009, his selection ensured a distinct “Genesis” sonic imprint on the record. Several tracks from the album are featured on Armando Gallo’s Genesis I Know What I Like app for iPhone/iPad, further cementing its connection to the band’s legacy.
“Strangers In Strange Places,” released in 2010, can be considered a spiritual successor to Leon’s debut album. Building on the fusion-inspired sound of “Strange Places,” this project features the talents of Bill Bruford on drums (Yes, King Crimson, Earthworks) and John Goodsall on guitars (Brand X). The other two songs on the EP consist of another instrumental and a cover of Genesis’ Second Home By The Sea.
Leon’s third release, “2014: Music From An Extended Universe,” launched in October 2014, signaled a significant shift in his musical trajectory. Teaming up with King Crimson’s seasoned musician Trey Gunn, they sculpted an album characterized by enigmatic textures and intricate musical arrangements, often described by Leon as possessing a “Crimson-Light” ambiance. Jerry Marotta’s percussion (known for his collaborations with Peter Gabriel) and the ethereal sounds of Cyber Zen Sound Engine further enhanced the sonic landscape of the record. The mastering of the record was expertly handled by Andy Jackson, renowned for his engineering and co-production work with Pink Floyd.
In 2015, Leon embarks on a cinematic journey with “PERSISTENCE,” a musical short film accompanied by an enchanting soundtrack showcasing Trey Gunn’s instrumental virtuosity. Persistence is also released on CD as an EP.
“The Future Left Behind” (2016) marks Leon’s ambitious foray into conceptual storytelling, weaving a sci-fi narrative into a critically acclaimed album featuring luminaries like Billy Sherwood and Rick Wakeman.
In 2022, Leon made a comeback with “Charging The Electric Dream,” an electronic music album that, in a sense, had been decades in the making. To symbolize this journey, the cover artwork featured a collage of Leon’s face composed of passport photos taken over the years. Notably, “Charging The Electric Dream” was his first solo album without guest musicians. A deluxe boxed edition, containing additional material, hit shelves in 2023.
Continuing his musical odyssey, Leon releases the “Brain Damage” EP in 2024, a precursor to his upcoming album “The Changing Tide.” Drawing inspiration from Pink Floyd while infusing his unique keyboard arrangements, Leon crafts a sonic tapestry that transcends homage. The album also features Damian Darlington and Edoardo Scordo (Brit Floyd), Tony Franklin (The Firm), John Helliwell (Supertramp) and other musicians as well.
Beyond his musical endeavors, Leon’s talents extend to graphic design and illustration, leaving an his own brand on the visual output of renowned artists and record labels alike. For Leon, each artistic pursuit is a stroke in a larger canvas, uniting diverse disciplines under his form of creative expression.
Discography
The Changing Tide (2024) CD, Digital & Streaming
Brain Damage (2024) CD, Digital & Streaming
Charging The Electric Dream – Deluxe Box Set (2023) CD, Digital & Streaming
Charging The Electric Dream (2022) CD, Digital & Streaming
Launch Overture Alternate EDT (2016) Digital Single
The Future Left Behind (2016) CD, Digital & Streaming
Persistence (2015) CD, Digital & Streaming
2014 Music From An Expanded Universe (2014) CD, Digital & Streaming
Strangers In A Strange Place (2010) CD, Digital & Streaming
Plays Genesis And Other Stuff (2009) CD, Digital & Streaming
Latest Release
In the Studio
Charging The Electric Dream – Deluxe Box Set 2023
Leon Alvarado all instruments
Engineered by Leon Alvarado
Engineering Assistance by John Douglass
Mastering by Maor Appelbaum
2022 Charging The Electric Dream
Leon Alvarado all instruments
Engineered by Leon Alvarado
Engineering Assistance by John Douglass
Mastering by Maor Appelbaum
2016 The Future Left Behind
Leon Alvarado: keyboards, sequencing, drums, percussion & vocals
Billy Sherwood: Lead and rhythm guitars on all except for “To Be Loved”
Rick Wakeman: Moog solo on “Launch Overture” and extra keyboards
Johnny Bruhns: Acoustic guitar on “To Be Loved”
Steve Thamer: Narration
2015 Persistence
Leon Alvarado: keyboards, sequencing, drums, percussion & vocals
Trey Gunn: Bass track 1
2014 Music From An Expanded Universe.
Leon Alvarado: keyboards, sequencing, drums, percussion & vocals
Trey Gunn: Bass,
Warr Guitars on all except 5
Jerry Marotta: Taos Drums on 1,2
Smith6079: Atmospheric guitars on 2
Gracenotex: Atmospheric keyboards on
2010 Strangers In Strange Places
Leon Alvarado: keyboards, sequencing, drums, percussion & vocals
Bill R. dos Santos: sequencing, extra keyboards Track 3
Bill Bruford*: drum tracks on 1.
John Goodsall: guitars on 1.
2009 Plays Genesis and Other Original Stuff
Bill R. dos Santos: sequencing, extra keyboards track 3 & 6
Leon Alvarado Online
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