ABOUT
Alex has built a versatile career that bridges the creative and operational sides of the music industry.
photo by Hannah Matthews Photography
His expertise in catalog administration formed through years of working with sheet music retailers, orchestral libraries, and mechanical royalties at music publishers. With an ability to organize, curate, and archive large collections, he launched the website trombone.alex - a widely used resource for transcriptions, song histories, and artist biographies - establishing a strong presence within the online jazz community.
Alex sharpened his industry skills as a part of Chicago’s independent music scene where he improved the delivery of local vinyl record pressings for major artists and boosted Record Store Day sales and customer satisfaction for online retailers through product data management and quality assurance. He also played a key role in successful fundraising campaigns for community radio and non-profit organizations - channeling this first-hand insight into the founding of his own music publisher and record label, Better Pepper Records.
As a performer, Alex engages audiences through a deep commitment to musical lineage. His performances with the legendary Clyde Stubblefield at The King Club's Funky Mondays earned the band recognition as “Best Blues Artist” from The Madison Area Music Association (The MAMA's), and his active preservation of early jazz traditions is paraded by New Orleans-style brass bands across the Midwest.
Alex’s collaborations with Los Angeles songwriter Mike Maimone include horn arrangements for multiple studio albums recorded in Chicago warehouses and Nashville studios, which are brought to life through touring and festival appearances. His adaptability as a multi-instrumentalist with Don’t Speak: A No Doubt Tribute extends seamlessly into musical theater and improv comedy, where his work as music director for independent comedy revues showcases his ability for shaping cohesive musical experiences, both onstage and behind the scenes.
Full resume available at LinkedIn.
“The most important thing to Alex Leong is making sure people have a good time when he plays his music.”
NAME DROPS
Alex has entertained First Lady Hillary Clinton, DJ Kool Herc, Harvey Scales, Taj Mahal, Dick Dale, Joe Dart (Vulfpeck), and outfielder George Bell.
PERFORMANCES
Mike Maimone • Los Angeles, CA
Trombone / Arranger • rock • touring / recording
Don’t Speak: A No Doubt Tribute • Chicago, IL
Trombone / Keyboards • rock / ska • touring
The Clyde Stubblefield Band • Madison, WI
Trombone • funk / R&B • touring / artist residency
Freelance Trombone
Four Star Brass Band • Chicago, IL • New Orleans jazz
High Hat Second Line • Chicago, IL • New Orleans jazz
Extra Crispy Brass Band • Milwaukee, WI • New Orleans jazz
Two Sweet Horns • Chicago, IL • street performance
Reddyk & Krupp • Chicago, IL • musical theater
Liz Mandeville • Chicago, IL • blues
Jimmy Voegeli • Madison, WI • blues rock
STS9 • Atlanta, GA • rock
The Gomers • Madison, WI • rock
William Steffey • Chicago, IL • rock
Sam Winch • Appleton, WI • Americana
Long Time Friction • Chicago, IL • reggae / ska
Horner Park Jazz Band • Chicago, IL • big band jazz
Ridgeville Band of Evanston • Evanston, IL • classical
Madison Community Orchestra • Madison, WI • classical
FESTIVALS
Nashville Pride Festival • Nashville, TN • Mike Maimone
Summer Camp Music Festival • Chillicothe, IL • Mike Maimone
Chicago Pride Fest • Chicago, IL • Don’t Speak: A No Doubt Tribute
Mile of Music • Appleton, WI • Mike Maimone
Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival • Chicago, IL • FRIENDS: The One Where They Sing
Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival • Marquette, MI • Extra Crispy Brass Band • headliner
City of Chicago Fifth Star Awards • Chicago, IL • Four Star Brass Band
RECORDINGS
Alex Leong
What’s The Word?
No Sleep ‘Til Christmas
Trampled Radio
• Better Pepper Records • Producer
Mike Maimone
Unfollow
The Studio Nashville
Mookie’s Big Gay Mixtape
Broke, Not Broken
The High Hat Club
Singles:
“Unfollow [ExFactor Version]”
“Call the Locksmith”
“Before He Cheats”
“Voodoo Lady”
“I Wish I Didn’t Know You Anymore”
“If It’s Hot, It’ll Sell (Live)”
“Garbougie”
• 8eat8 Records • Trombone, Arranger
Liz Mandeville
The Stars Motel • Blue Kitty Music • Trombone
William Steffey
Reality Jockey • Aquariphone Music • Trombone
In The Green Room Podcast, Ep. 7
Artfinix Studios • Featured Artist
AWARDS
Best Blues Artist • Madison Area Music Association • Madison, WI • The Clyde Stubblefield Band
Best Musician • Madison Magazine • Madison, WI • The Clyde Stubblefield Band
Outstanding Band • Elmhurst Jazz Festival • Elmhurst, IL • Millikin University Jazz Band
MUSIC CLINICS
Music Industry Cities: Chicago • Millikin University • Decatur, IL • Guest Lecturer
Minneapolis Meets Milwaukee • Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival • Marquette, MI • Extra Crispy Brass Band
Funk Drumming • Tonic Room • Chicago, IL • The Clyde Stubblefield Band
EDUCATION
Millikin University • Decatur, IL
Bachelor of Music: Commercial Music
• Millitrax Recording Studio Manager
PRESS
CONTRIBUTOR
“CHIRP Radio’s Best of 2022: Alex Leong” • The CHIRP Blog • December 13, 2022