ABOUT
Alex Leong has built a versatile career that bridges the creative and operational sides of the music industry.
photo by Hannah Matthews Photography
His publishing expertise formed through years of working at sheet music retailers, music libraries, and as a royalties specialist at Musicnotes, Inc. With an ability to organize, curate, and archive large music 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 operational skills at Chicago’s Smashed Plastic Record Pressing, delivering major releases for Wilco and Sonic Youth. He boosted Record Store Day sales by improving product management and inventory systems, and he played a key role in a successful fundraising campaign for Chicago Independent Radio Project (CHIRP), channeling this industry insight into the founding of his own record label, Better Pepper Records.
With a robust stage career, 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 by performing extensively with New Orleans-style brass bands he preserves early jazz traditions across the Midwest.
Alex’s collaborations with Los Angeles songwriter Mike Maimone include horn arrangements for multiple studio albums that were brought to life through touring and festival appearances. His adaptability as a multi-instrumentalist with Don’t Speak: A No Doubt Tribute extended seamlessly into musical theater and improv comedy, where his work as music director for independent comedy revues showcased his creative ability for shaping cohesive musical experiences behind the scenes.
“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 • 2021 - 2022
Mike Maimone
Summer Camp Music Festival • Chillicothe, IL • 2019
Mike Maimone
Chicago Pride Fest • Chicago, IL • 2018 - 2019
Don’t Speak: A No Doubt Tribute
Mile of Music • Appleton, WI • 2017
Mike Maimone
Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival • Chicago, IL • 2016
FRIENDS: The One Where They Sing
Hiawatha Traditional Music Festival • Marquette, MI • 2015
Extra Crispy Brass Band • headliner
City of Chicago Fifth Star Awards • Chicago, IL • 2014
Four Star Brass Band
RECORDINGS
No Sleep ‘Til Christmas • Alex Leong
Better Pepper Records • 2024 • Producer
Trampled Radio • Alex Leong
Better Pepper Records • 2023 • Producer
Unfollow • Mike Maimone
8eat8 Records • 2024 • Trombone
The Studio Nashville • Mike Maimone
8eat8 Records • 2023 • Trombone, Arranger
Mookie’s Big Gay Mixtape • Mike Maimone
8eat8 Records • 2023 • Trombone, Arranger
Broke, Not Broken • Mike Maimone
8eat8 Records • 2021 • Trombone, Arranger
The High Hat Club • Mike Maimone
8eat8 Records • 2018 • Trombone, Arranger
Singles • Mike Maimone • 8eat8 Records:
“Unfollow [ExFactor Version]” • 2024 • Trombone
“Call the Locksmith” • 2023 • Trombone
“Before He Cheats” • 2022 • Trombone, Arranger
“Voodoo Lady” • 2022 • Trombone
“I Wish I Didn’t Know You Anymore” • 2022 • Trombone, Arranger
“Stay” • 2022 • Trombone
“If It’s Hot, It’ll Sell (Live)” • 2021 • Trombone
“Garbougie” • 2019 • Trombone, Arranger
Reality Jockey • William Steffey
Aquariphone Music • 2019 • Trombone
The Stars Motel • Liz Mandeville
Blue Kitty Music • 2016 • Trombone
In The Green Room Podcast, Ep. 7
Artfinix Studios • 2019 • Featured Guest
AWARDS
Best Blues Artist • Madison Area Music Association • Madison, WI
The Clyde Stubblefield Band • 2007
Best Musician • Madison Magazine • Madison, WI
The Clyde Stubblefield Band • 2007
Outstanding Band • Elmhurst Jazz Festival • Elmhurst, IL
Millikin University Jazz Band • 2004
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 • 2004
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