Introducing The Dynamic Multi-Instrumentalist, The UK's Afro-Caribbean Sensation, Rick Leon James—The Miles Davis Of Bass! 

INTERVIEW BY: GINA SEDMAN, WRITER/JOURNALIST & HEAD EDITOR 

Meet Rick Leon James, a musical innovator and mentor to stars like Amy Winehouse, YolanDa Brown, and Michael Kiwanuka. Known as the "Bass Player to the Stars" and the "Caribbean King of Bass," he combines his virtuosity with a passion for teaching at the RLJ Music Academy, where he nurtures emerging talents. 

Currently, Rick is making waves in the world of children's entertainment with his creative work on "Bea's Block" for Sesame Street. His impressive career includes collaborations with top artists like Wizkid, Cirque Du Soleil, Chaka Khan, and Tinie Tempah. 

Rick is not just a producer; he is a pioneer, crafting his upcoming album "A Journey to Self Discovery Afrika Born In Me, A Caribbean Fusion." His approach blends diverse musical cultures, drawing inspiration from Africa's vibrant rhythms to the soulful sounds of the Caribbean. 

For those looking to invest in exceptional talent or aspiring artists eager to hone their craft, Rick offers unparalleled mentorship and guidance. Join him on this musical journey, and let his wisdom lead you to success. 

I had the opportunity to speak with Rick about his incredible career, and here's what he shared with me. 

Hi Rick. So, we meet again, my friend. (I sing) We meet again, my friend. (he sings) I love that. Who is that?  

It's a song by Melody Gardot titled "So We Meet Again." I love it! It's a beautiful song. I really appreciate that. 

Well, Rick, I truly appreciate you taking the time to meet with me. It's a privilege. After going through your biography and witnessing your live performance, I can confidently say you are an incredibly gifted individual who has achieved remarkable success! Your live shows are nothing short of extraordinary—there really are no words to capture the experience! While many people in this industry strive for recognition, you genuinely deserve your accolades because your talent is matched only by your dedication. You stand out not just because of connections but because your exceptional abilities captivate any audience. It's a real honor to have this conversation with you. Thank you very much. I appreciate it. 

Thank you! I'm excited about the chance to interview you and explore your life story, allowing Indie Post readers to connect with you, particularly those who may not be familiar with your work yet. Many people assume that artists appear out of nowhere, but they often miss the dedicated individuals who work diligently behind the scenes to shape their paths. Let's start our conversation by sharing where you were born and where you currently live. So, I was born in the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago. I am currently in the UK. 

What a fantastic place to be born! So, Rick, I want to dive into some of the simpler aspects of this—just to lay the groundwork. We all have our beginnings, and I genuinely believe that when children are young, a unique insight can emerge. So, what would you say you felt growing up that signaled your natural path toward becoming a musician? Well, it started with my mom. She was always playing the guitar and singing around the house. There was always music playing: Reggae, Dance hall, and country music. She loved that music, including country music. 

My mom played all different types of music. Then, at around age 7 or 8, I started writing music, which was natural for me. I think I wrote over maybe 30 songs at age 8. They were reggae songs. I just always used to write lyrics, so I started composing. 

Rick! That is phenomenal! What was on your heart being so young that would give you 30 songs? People often say that as you get older, you live life and have more to talk about. But do you feel that your surroundings or there was anything in your life that gave you the motivation? To be so young, to have so much to say. We've been through a lot growing up in the Caribbean. The story isn't just about poverty but also about facing many challenges. I mean, Caribbean people were brought here through slavery, and that alone is an intense experience. It puts a song in your heart; at least, in my heart, it did.  

The intensity of the environment there, like having to travel to get water in buckets, really sticks with you. I'm just getting flashbacks now, just thinking about it.You had to travel to get water in buckets and walk, so doing things like that would quickly put a song in your heart because of the environment. That being said, there was a lot of love in our family. 

Of course. We are truly blessed, and sometimes, we fail to appreciate the efforts others have to put in just to enjoy the things we take for granted. Thank you for sharing that, Rick. Could you also tell me about the people whose music really influenced the style you've developed over the years? Capleton, Buju Banton, Sizzla, Anthony B., Determine, and Bob Marley. And that's the reggae-Jamaican side. Then, on the Trini side, I listened to Mighty Sparrow, Lord Kitchener, Singing Sandra, and Mighty Shadow, who is one of my favorites. Then there is also David Rudder, Beanie Man and Bounty Killer. So, it's Calypso Reggae and Dance Hall. 

You've been exposed to music from many amazingly talented artists. No wonder your sound is so astonishing! Rick, at some point, did you transition into a more professional aspect of music where you naturally gravitated toward the bass? Or did you have any formal training? From there, what led you to pursue your professional career? So, I was doing raga first. We call it chanting in a Trinidad vocals-type vibe. Then, my grandmother was from the church where her soul was. In 2022, she fell ill and then passed away. 

So, she brought me to the church. We all went to the church in the neighborhood, including my brothers, cousins, and stuff. I think my brother went into pastoring. 

So, I'm like, OK, well, I'm into music and chanting, so what should I do? Let me get into music properly. Like I said, my mom always had the guitar in her house, and she would always play the guitar. I said maybe I should play the instruments and also continue writing. I wrote maybe 20 songs for the church. 

I remember saying that I wanted to learn to play instruments. I was motivated to learn when I heard the drums, bass, and guitar. I asked my mom to teach me some guitar chords, such as major and minor. So, initially, I began learning through the church. 

Then, I found a guitar teacher who inspired me because he played the saxophone, the bass, the drums, and all the other instruments. So, I picked up the bass and taught myself the bass. He taught me the guitar chords, and I taught myself the drums, the keyboard, and then later the saxophone. 

Wow, Rick! I'm truly amazed! I remember watching you perform several instruments during your live show, and I was utterly captivated by your skills and the incredible talent of your entire band. Being a multi-instrumentalist is such a remarkable feat! I'm curious: did you find it came naturally to you, or was there some frustration along the way?  

I can relate, as I tend to be a bit of a perfectionist—always eager to achieve things immediately. Sometimes, that drive can lead to frustration when progress doesn't happen as quickly as I'd like. Did you experience that, too, or did you find it easy to pick up each instrument? You're spot on. It was frustrating for me. That's what led me to practice for 24 hours. I practiced as much as I could. My mom would literally beg me to eat. She would say, "I'll bring some food here," and I'd be like, "No, wait, Mom, I'm learning this guitar part," and I'd be in there for two hours on that. Then, when I finished that, I would get on the piano and keep practicing, just trying to get it right, you know? So, I was constantly at it. Hours would pass until she got fed up and would just leave the food outside the door for me and say, "Look, when you're ready to eat, then eat." 

Thank you for sharing that hilarious story, Rick! Your hard work definitely pays off, and I'm sure you've put in and are still putting in hours of work to sound so amazing. I know this story will encourage many people who are just starting. 

You've worked with and made musical contributions to projects such as Sesame Street Animation Masterpiece and Bea's Block. You've also collaborated with legendary artists like Chaka Khan, Wizkid, and many others. Despite coming from the Caribbean and facing various challenges, you've managed to break through and reach a professional level. What was the key that opened all these doors for you? I remember the time when I had a showcase at a place called "The 10 Room" in the UK. It was a night that Patrick Allen used to run. I played four songs on the saxophone and one on the bass guitar. Someone in the audience saw me playing the bass and mentioned that Daniel Bedingfield was looking for a bass player. Daniel had a #1 hit “I Gotta Get Through This "and he was pretty famous in London at that time. I decided to go to the audition and saw many amazing musicians there. There were five killer bass players, and I thought, "Whoa, OK." 

Daniel had all the different people auditioning at the same time, one after the next. He wanted to see versatility, and I felt confident because I could play different styles. 

He chose me and a few others for his band that day. Daniel's music was rock, and he also had a famous garage track that was a big hit. This was my big break in the pop world and in the UK. 

How wonderful! And then, one thing just happens after that. You know, the Bible says that your gift will make room for you, and God is definitely opening up those wonderful, amazing doors for you. How has World Travel influenced your sound? Do you feel that you've been able to take certain pieces from other cultures and incorporate them into your playing style now? Definitely. I like traveling the world and vibing with the different people in different cultures. I have obviously a lot of American friends and a lot of my influences are American and Caribbean. So yeah, definitely I tend to soak up a lot of the different vibes. In the bass world, I'm heavily influenced by Marcus Miller, Victor Wooten, and John Patitucci.  

I have a lot of people that support me, amazing musicians! And the shows that I like to put on is getting all these people together in one room. I want to create a musical experience that mirrors the incredible work of His Excellency Turki Al-Sheikh in the boxing world. He has a remarkable ability to unite people, and that’s exactly the vision I have for my shows. I want to foster a sense of community and connection through music, bringing everyone together. 

Certainly! I love PJ Morton’s ability to unite a diverse group of artists—singers and musicians alike—to create music together. It's such a beautiful process to witness. That’s the essence of genuine artistry. Could you share some of the talented individuals you've had the pleasure of collaborating with? Perhaps some music you've contributed to or artists you've toured alongside? Currently, I would say, YolanDa Brown the #1 queen, the king with Wizkid, Chaka Khan, Kano, Alicia Dixon, Estelle, and Tinie Tempah. I did some stadium gigs with him. When Jessie J just started, I was the bass player in her bag. Also, Amy Winehouse who was my good friend.  And I've also worked with a few people in the Caribbean scene and Cirque Du Soleil.  

We've just done some work with Cocomelon, where I'm sharpening my animation skills and writing for children's content. So, I'm grounded in everything and different types of music. 

Yes, absolutely. I recently came across some information about your involvement with Sesame Street, and I couldn't help but be curious. Were you showing Big Bird how to play the bass? And what about Oscar the Grouch—did he take up the keys or maybe the saxophone? I'm eager to hear all about it and how that came about! (Laughs) I would love to do that. (Laughs) I grew up watching that on TV.  

So, regarding YolanDa Brown, I am a member of her team, and we work together. I write and compose music for her. I've known her for over 27 years. So, she got the call to do the music for animation, TV, and the Sesame Street shoot and stuff. She put a team together; my role was to play all the instruments and help write and produce them. So, I would love to do something with Big Bird or more of those characters on Sesame Street—maybe playing keys or guitar. (Laughs) 

That's beautiful. So, tell me, Rick. Let's talk about what you are currently working on. Do you have any music you're working on or planning to release? I don't have any current releases, but I have new music coming out. The album is called “A Journey to Self Discovery Afrika Born In Me, A Caribbean Fusion.” This was done during the lockdown. 

In 2020, when everyone was in lockdown, I went into my roots and my past. In 2019, I posted a post saying I wanted to dive into the music of my roots. I wanted to check that up, and the post was also about how the people of the UK have been good to me. 

I've played with and supported so many stars, and now I just wanted to get back to the music of my home—the Caribbean music from Trinidad. I wanted to do music with Calypso frequencies and Soca mixed with fusion and the African side. When I did my ancestry and research, I saw the different parts of Africa and wrote an album based on that. Some of the titles are Throne of Thrones, Kings and Queens, Ancestors, and Naija Boi. Look out for that one. 

How exciting! So when will this new album be available? 

I want to release my album as soon as possible, possibly in November. I also plan to perform a concert in November, marking my return to the stage. I haven't performed a concert since 2019, so I'm excited to perform songs from my upcoming album at the EFG London Jazz Festival @soulmamalondon on the 15th of November 2024. 

Recently, I shot a video at “World Heart Beat Studios.” There were 16 of us—amazing musicians who participated in the album. We shot 4 to 5 tracks to promote it and give people a feel for the music. Overall, the album is a celebration of my African and African-Caribbean identity. That's what it's about, yeah. 

Awesome! I'm sure that was a fantastic experience! Good for you, and I know you will be electrifying on the 15th of November! The album is a celebration of my African identity—my African-Caribbean identity. That's what it's about, yeah. 

Creating an album that celebrates your incredible and vibrant African and Caribbean heritage is lovely. Now, Rick, one final question: We have numerous independent artists who engage with this magazine and visit the site. They are eager to learn what it takes to succeed in this industry, drawing from your remarkable experiences, achievements, and aspirations. What words of inspiration or encouragement can you offer young talents just starting and navigating their paths? What insights can you share from your journey to uplift and guide them? Keep your light on. Have discipline and determination. Keep playing, keep pushing, and believe in yourself. The most important one is self-belief. 

Thank you with all my heart, Rick, for this beautiful exchange and for giving me the privilege of hearing about your incredible musical journey. It has been a blessing to talk to you. I pray that God will bless the works of your hands, according to His will for your life, and that He will open beautiful doors for you.  

May He send wonderful people into your life who will encourage and support you. People that are genuine, integral, and true to their word. I pray that your family will be safe and protected. I want you to know that everything you have accomplished makes me incredibly proud of you. You are an excellent role model for all aspiring musicians and a joy for those who hear you live. I am so proud of you and rooting for you 100% of the way. God bless you, Rick. Take care. Thank you, Gina. 

https://www.rickleonjames.com 

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