Jon Faddis said “This boy can play!!!” Wynton Marsalis said “He can swing.” Bone Thugs N Harmony calls him “Chicago’s Finest.” Rakim, Big Daddy Kane, MC Lyte, and Ice Cube call this “young lion” of a musician “The Truth.” This whirlwind musical master from The Windy City has been captivating international audiences for the past 17 years as the most versatile trumpet player of choice for today’s shining stars. The person that they are referring to is none other than Chicago’s very own Leon Q. Allen.
This product of the vibrant Windy City music scene attributes his success as one of the most internationally sought after trumpeters to his musical upbringing. As a child, Leon Q. was heavily exposed to multitudes of music, ranging from jazz, blues, and R&B to Afro-Latin and other international forms. His desire to become a prime example of complete musical immersion led him to take up the trumpet as his primary instrument, and study music academically. This relentless pursuance led him to Columbia College Chicago, where he pursued a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Jazz Studies in 2002. Since then, Leon Q. has demonstrated his musical prowess both on stage and in the classroom as a guest educator and master class instructor.
Since his entrance into the professional arena in 1994, at age 14, Leon Q. has given his gift of music to audiences around the world. Leon Q., in his personal, versatile way, has shared the stage with such dynamic musical icons such as Common, Kanye West, James Brown, Wynton Marsalis, Carl Thomas, Bone Thugs N Harmony, Drake, Tito Puente, Jr., and countless others. The world has not seen such a versatile musical force with the power to inspire people, like Leon Q. Simply put, Leon Q. will truly move your heart, mind, body, soul, and spirit through the powerful gift of music that he bestows upon the masses.