Artist Biography
b. 5 January 1960, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. In his early years McLeod showed many signs of artistic talent and studied at art school. He subsequently developed as painter, actor, pianist, singer, and, later, songwriter. As a singer-pianist he spent several years in the late 70s in ‘the abyss of the piano bar circuit... where musicians have been known to disappear ? at times forever!’ The experience was invaluable, however, and in the 80s he was sufficiently developed and proficient to work as a straight pop singer, as a studio vocalist, singing advertising jingles, and as backing singer for other artists. In 1988 he formed his own band, McLeod Nine, a jazz/blues quintet. His acting career continued alongside his music and he appeared in a 1990 staging of Chess? The Musical at Sydney’s Theatre Royal, and in 1992 was in Godspell at the Sydney Opera House, appearing on the subsequent cast recording. McLeod’s singing draws upon several admitted influences in the worlds of jazz, pop and R&B. His singing voice is persuasive and he admirably textures his interpretation of lyrics. His own compositions offer intriguing hints of his continuing interest in the musical and lyrical aspects of nature.
Hometown
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Genre
Jazz