Mon 3/23 @ 8PM
It seems clear that Leon Russell, now on the verge of 73 and suffering from some health issues, intends to die in the saddle.
Russell launched his career as a roots music-inspired pianist/songwriter/ arranger/producer in the ’60s. He rose to the top of the session musician heap when his role in organizing the 1970 Mad Dogs and Englishmen tour for Joe Cocker, whose self-titled 1969 album he’d produced, brought him out of the shadows. It would take all day to list his songwriting, sideman and production credits for artists ranging from Bob Dylan to George Benson, Freddie King to Elton John, the Byrds to Whitney Houston, interspersed with a lengthy catalogue of solo albums.
And he’s still out there doing it. He released a new CD Life Journey last fall, hot on the heels of 2013’s Snapshot. It was produced by the legendary Tommy LiPuma, a native Clevelander who made good in the music business and gave back — he’s the benefactor whose name is on the Center for Creative Arts at Tri-C’s Metro campus.
And Russell is still touring, doing what he clearly loves to do more than anything else: make music. He’ll be back at the Kent Stage.
Tickets are $29 in advance, $34 at the door.
thekentstage.com/leon-russell-kent/