Leon Alexander Brady

     Leon A. Brady dedicated his life to the youth of Kansas City. As a public school and private educator, a business owner, professional percussionist, counselor, church leader and civic leader he has touched the lives of many people. His students can be found all over the world performing professionally in many diversified areas of music. Former students such as Rosalyn Story, Marquita Meeks and Linda Smith are now members of the Houston and Atlanta Symphonies. Vernard Johnson is a gospel saxophonist, and John Cushon is the percussionist with Oleta Adams. Norman Brown and Craig Lindesay are recording artists. The McFadden Brothers, Reginald Watkins, Winfred Manning, William Perkins, Alonzo (Scooter) Powell, Andre Hampton, Lester (Duck) Warner, Horace Washington, Kenneth Heath, Johnny Foster, James Sharp and many others are professional musicians, Many former students such as Leion Dawson, Derrick Hibler and Dale Vandiver are now educators and countless other former students attribute their success in their chosen field to what they learned in Leon Brady’s classes.

     A native of New Orleans, Louisiana, Mr. Brady enlisted in the newly formed US Air Force after high school in 1949 and volunteered for the band having never played a musical instrument. After attending the Lackland and Langley Air Force Schools of Music, Mr. Brady performed in bands and combos with several top musicians that later became nationally known artists such as John McHolie, Frank Hitner and John Williams.

     After the Service, Mr. Brady attended Tennessee State University, in Nashville. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in 1957 and Master of Science Degree in 1961. While in college, he again performed with several musicians who later became nationally known artists, such as Hank Crawford, Jimmy Cleveland, Ray Charles and Les Spann. Mr. Brady performed nights and weekends in and around the Nashville area with several top musicians.

     In 1957, Leon Brady was awarded his first public school teaching position at Carver High School in Crestview, Florida. Mr. Brady was responsible for all bands and choirs from grades 1 to 12. It was here that he began to realize his love for teaching and the impact that teachers can have on their students.

     In 1959, eager to become involved in the jazz scene in Kansas City, Mr. Brady accepted a position as a band and orchestra director at Dunbar Elementary and Northeast Junior High in Kansas City, Kansas. While at Northeast, he started the first junior high marching band in the area. Under his direction, the band made a record, again being a first for the KC area.

     In 1966, Leon Brady became the instrumental music instructor at Sumner High School in Kansas City, Kansas during the 10 years that he taught at Sumner, he and his students enjoyed many unique accomplishments. He brought international recording artists, such as Stan Kenton, Max Roach, Dizzy Gillespie, Clark Terry, Grover Washington, Cannonball Adderly, and Marilyn Maye to Sumner to perform with students.

     The Sumner band was the first high school band to participate in the Sugar Bowl, in New Orleans, LA. The band was also the Mineral Bowl winner for 7 years and received many first division ratings in marching festivals throughout the area. The band also performed half-time shows for the Kansas City Chiefs. The Sumner Orchestra, under Mr. Brady’s direction, was one of the first high school orchestras to perform tor the Kansas Music Educator’s Convention.

     The Sumner Stage Band earned many honors from 1966 to 1976. The stage band was a 6-year winner (1986-1974) of the KC Jazz Festival, 3 -year winner of the Wichita Jazz Festival, and the 1972 winner of the International Jazz Festival in Paris, France. The Sumner stage band was the first high school band to participate in the instrumental reading session at Jenkins Music Company. Sumner was the guest stage band at the President’s Council in Washington, D.C. In 1972, the Sumner stage band recorded the album, Sumner in Paris.

     In 1969, Leon Brady opened Progressive Music Studio on Quindaro in Kansas City, Kansas. In 1976, he moved the Music Studio to 947 Minnesota Avenue, KCK where it became part of Brady & Sons Music Company. While operating the music store, he continued his dedication to music education in Kansas City, Throughout the year He directed the All-Star Stage Band for 700 college and high school students at the KC Stage Band Festival. He organized and directed the All-Women’s Jazz Band to perform at the Women’s Jazz Festival. He was a clinician and Judge for several events and taught special music programs for Kiddie Kollege Nursery School, Turner House and nursing homes.

     As an accomplished professional musician, he uses his performing talents to educate students in music history, African-American History and Jazz. As a member of the KC Jazz Quintet with George Salisbury, Milt Abel, Carmel Jones, Herman Bell and later Frank Smith and Tony Swisher, he traveled to many schools throughout the area demonstrating various musical styles. Throughout the years, he has performed with many internationally known artists such as Clark Terry, Dakota Staton, George Duke, John Parks, Grover Washington, Lou Donaldson, Blue Mitchell, Eddie “Clean Head” Vinson, Charles Kenard, Ray Charles and Reginald Buckner just to name a few. He was a tympanist with the KC Civic Symphony and the Medical Arts Symphony. He performed for 2 years at the Colony Steakhouse with Marilyn Maye, and for 9 years with the “Dixieland 7” at the Levee in Kansas City, Missouri.

    In 2000, Mr. Brady closed his music store to focus more attention on his 20 private students. He composes for and directs 4 drum set ensembles, teaching not only percussion techniques, but lessons in life. His classes tech respect and responsibility, and give students the confidence to strive for excellence. Current students range from age from 4 to 18 and perform throughout the community.

     In the fall of 2001, Leon Brady began a community youth jazz band program, Kansas City Youth Jazz, Inc. with one jazz band and a handful of dedicated students and parents. Rehearsals were held in the old Brady Music building at 947 Minnesota in Kansas City, Kansas. In May 2003, all programs were moved to the location at 1317 Central Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas. The Youth Jazz Program has grown to include 5 jazz bands, 2 combos help serious students make the transition to professional musicians. Mr. Brady serves as Musical Director of Youth Jazz programs.

     Mr. Brady performed with the Jazz Machine, a group of professional musicians who are also instructors with Youth Jazz Program, including Chris Burnett, Jason Goudeau, Stan Kessler, Clarence Smith and Greg Richter. The Jazz Machine gives clinics and performances at schools and summer camps.

     Mr. Brady earned several awards throughout his years in Kansas City. Some of the more recent awards include: KCK Human Relations Award, Most Distinguished Alumni Award-Sumner High School (1993), KC Jazz Heritage Award (1992), Sons of Thunder Award-First AME Church (1994), 100 Most Influential African-Americans (1995), KC Area Chamber of Commerce Outstanding Small Business (1996), Who’s Who of Executives & Professionals (1996-97), Certificate of Recognition- Sumner High School Alumni (2002), KC Young Audiences Lighton Prize for excellence as a teaching artist (2002), Living Legend Award-First Baptist Church for significant community contributions (2004), Honorary Membership in the UMKC Friends of Jazz for significant contributions to jazz education (2006), the Coda Lifetime Achievement Award (May 20,2006) and the Pinnacle Award for Excellence in the Arts from Johnson County, Kansas Library Association (October 2007). In 2009, Mr. Brady served as the Grand Marshal of the Juneteenth Celebration Parade and the Central Avenue Parade both in Kansas City, Kansas and was recently selected as one of the Kansas City Globe’s top 25 Lifetime Influential Honorees. He is an Elder Statesman of Kansas City Jazz and serves on the Advisory Committee of the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra. Inducted in the Wall of Fame at Kansas City, Kansas Junior College (2019). Mr. Brady received a bronze marker at the Jazz Walk of Fame. His marker is between Harry Belafonte & Quincy Jones.

     Mr. Brady has 3 children: Leon III (Trey), Michael, of Chicago, IL, and Sherri. Granddaughter Lauren Messer of Whittier, CA.,

     Leon Brady has touched the lives of many people. Former students drop by the studio to thank him, to tell him what a difference he has made in their lives. Many students now bring their children to him to teach or to counsel. Many students are now teachers themselves, continuing the legacy that he has begun. Mr. Brady now challenges all students to give back to their community, to help the next generation of youth in the greater Kansas City area.

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