Leon Joyce Jr., a native of Meriden, Connecticut, received his musical training through private instruction under John Oblon and Jimmy Rozelle. While still in high school, he toured Connecticut and Massachusetts with the Greater Hartford Community College Theater Group, performing the Broadway musical Hair. Although Leon's musical career began in high school, it really was shaped and nurtured when he joined the Marine Corps in 1976. In the years that followed, he served as a field band musician in Marine Corps Bands in San Diego, California; Iwakuni, Japan; Camp Lejeune, North Carolina; New Orleans, Louisiana; Parris Island, South Carolina; Okinawa, Japan; El Toro, California; and Albany, Georgia. He graduated from the Intermediate Course at the Armed Forces School of Music in 1987. Gunnery Sergeant Joyce reported to the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band as Percussion Section Leader in April 1990. He was promoted to his present rank in August 1990. In August 1991, he was appointed to the position of Drum Major. Leon retired from the Marine Corps in June of 1997 from Marine Corps Logistic Base in Albany, Georgia.

Leon Joyce Jr. Quartet

Monterey County Fairgrounds

Harpist Destiny Muhammad and her stellar trio team up with guitarist Bobby Young (Cherokee Nation) & saxophonist Richard Howell (Cree Nation heritage) to honor the life and work of saxophonist/ vocalist Jim Pepper. A member of The Free Spirits—a late 1960s jazz-rock group—Pepper was of Kaw and Muscogee Creek Native heritage whose lengthy career was inspired by other notable Native jazz artists, including Don Cherry (Choctaw Nation) For this matinee we honor the Native American legacy in jazz music.

Leon Joyce Jr.

Events

Upcoming events

Nov 16, 2024

Family Matinee w/ Destiny Muhammad Trio + Special Guests · San Francisco Jazz

Past events

Sep 27, 2024

Leon Joyce Jr. Quartet · Monterey Jazz Festival

About

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