The VOICE of Joe Leader, Class of 1998
In this episode of Alfredian Voices, Heather Roberts sits down with Old Alfredian Joe Leader, a professional musician who revisits his formative years at King Alfred School (KAS). Joe shares fond memories of 'The Axe Monsters,' an early collaborative musical performance, and reflects on how KAS's progressive and open-minded environment in the 80s and 90s nurtured his musical talents. Joe attributes his confidence and career choice to the school's supportive teachers, particularly Andy Hampton and Robert Hersey, who were instrumental in his development as a musician.
Recounting his school days, Joe talks about overcoming academic challenges with the help of approachable teachers and the inclusive ethos that celebrated diversity and acceptance. He reminisces about memorable school performances, like 'Bugsy Malone' and 'The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe,' and the immersive experience of performing in the main hall.
Joe also touches upon his achievements, including winning the Daily Telegraph Young Jazz Awards and touring worldwide with Italian pop legend Eros Ramazzotti. He emphasizes the lifelong impact of KAS's values on his personal and professional life, from fostering a nurturing and accepting attitude to inspiring others through music.
Joe advises current KAS saxophone players to stay true to themselves and enjoy their music. The episode concludes with Joe expressing gratitude for the school's lasting influence on his journey, aiming to inspire the next generation of musicians with his story.
Recounting his school days, Joe talks about overcoming academic challenges with the help of approachable teachers and the inclusive ethos that celebrated diversity and acceptance. He reminisces about memorable school performances, like 'Bugsy Malone' and 'The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe,' and the immersive experience of performing in the main hall.
Joe also touches upon his achievements, including winning the Daily Telegraph Young Jazz Awards and touring worldwide with Italian pop legend Eros Ramazzotti. He emphasizes the lifelong impact of KAS's values on his personal and professional life, from fostering a nurturing and accepting attitude to inspiring others through music.
Joe advises current KAS saxophone players to stay true to themselves and enjoy their music. The episode concludes with Joe expressing gratitude for the school's lasting influence on his journey, aiming to inspire the next generation of musicians with his story.
Creators and Guests
Producer
Deborah Castillo
After a 10-year career as an advertising and marketing executive in Miami, Deborah crossed the pond in 2013 to start a new life in the U.K. In 2023, she pivoted to a career in Alumni Relations and Development, transferring her talent for bringing people and ideas together. With her American enthusiasm for staying connected to your Alma Mater, Deborah loves gathering, curating, and learning from our Old Alfredian stories. Fluent in Spanish and shaped by her cross-cultural experiences, she brings a global perspective to her work.
Producer
Heather Roberts
Alumni and Development Officer: Heather has been the Alumni and Development Officer at The King Alfred School since 2020. Having become disillusioned with her career in the fashion industry Heather moved to this role within Development and Alumni Relations, pulling on her transferable skills. Heather credits her ease at engaging with new people and different audiences with having lived overseas for seven years in Moscow, Russia and Bogota, Colombia. As a self-confessed nosey person who likes a good natter, the Alfredian Voices podcast has been the dream project for Heather to work on.
Guest
Joe Leader
Joe has spent all of his life playing music. Born into a musical family (his mother, Lucille Orden Leader, a professional concert pianist), Joe and his first band won the “Daily Telegraph Young Jazz Awards” aged sixteen. He went on to study music privately at London’s Guildhall school of Music and then at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Joe’s first class honours degree in Music Technology from LCMM enabled him to produce his own debut album and subsequent EP’s & Singles. As a Légère, Rovner and Hercules sponsored artist, with over 100,000 fans on Facebook, Joe’s debut album, Seductive Sax, had 135 global radio plays per week and reached the Top 20 in the US Smooth Jazz charts. His incredible career has taken him all over the world, performing on stage with such greats as Eros Ramazzotti, Joseph Calleja, Andrew Lloyd Webber, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Stephen Gately, Pharrell Williams, Joss Stone, Sandie Shaw, Beverley Knight, Dave Koz, Gerald Albright and Mindi Abair. When he is not seducing fans across the world with his saxophone, Joe can be found practicing Aikido, a Japanese martial art in which he has a 2nd Degree Black Belt. Both, says Joe, help to focus mind, body and soul on his art.
Producer
Tamlyn Worrall
Development & Alumni Relations Director: As a consummate professional in the Alumni Relations and Development space, Tamlyn brings years of experience to cultivating relationships with our Old Alfredians. With a footprint in South Africa, Australia, and Japan, Tamlyn proudly calls London home, and it’s here that she’s developed her career in the education sector. At the heart of what she does, Tamlyn loves connecting with and learning about our OAs. She approaches every conversation with a sincere curiosity and warmth, finding herself fascinated by the details of every story. This podcast series was a germ of an idea in 2020 and thanks to a fabulous podcast editor we have finally been able to bring these Old Alfredian stories to a wider audience.
