Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Dakota Midday: Boundary-Busting Musician Dana Leong

Photo by Mat Szwajkos

Composer, cellist and trombonist Dana Leong blends jazz, classical and hip-hop to create unique musical sounds that don’t fit in any particular genre. He grew up in the Bay Area of California and later studied at the Manhattan School of Music. He is currently based in New York City.

Leong's career started when he first picked up the cello in third grade, and then the trombone a year later. “I tried to use my knowledge of both instruments to complete each other's spectrums,” Leong says. As he progressed in his musical training, he taught himself to apply jazz techniques to the cello and classical techniques to the trombone. The study of two different instruments laid the foundation for a career that would revolve around “cross-pollination” between different instruments and genres.

The Dana Leong Trio performs at the Matthews Opera House in Spearfish on Thursday at 7:30 pm. Leong joined Dakota Midday and discussed his music.

Karl was born to northeastern South Dakota crouton farmers, but was orphaned as a toddler during the Great Salad War (1966-67). Rescued by a flock of chickadees, he grew up in the woodlands of Sica Hollow. Legends of a bird boy living in the trees attracted the interest of renowned ornithologist and amateur bandoneon repairman Dr. Vogel Gehrke. With a handful of suet, Dr. Gehrke coaxed the timid boy down from the trees. He adopted him, named him Karl and taught him not to molt on the carpet. Dr. Gehrke’s book, The Bird Boy of Sica Hollow, was a best seller and Karl became a minor celebrity and teen idol. He appeared as a guest star on numerous television programs, most notably an awkward role on The Love Boat as the boyfriend of Captain Stubing’s daughter, Vicki. After critics panned his 1980 album, Bird Boy Does Disco, Karl retreated from public life and returned to Sica Hollow. Living in an isolated tree house, Karl achieved a reputation as a mystic. Pilgrims and seekers from around the world came to ask him about the meaning of life and for vinaigrette recipes. Growing tired of answering questions, he climbed down from his tree, shaved his massive white beard and took a job as the host of SDPB Radio’s Dakota Midday where he could ask the questions instead. After three years in that position, he ran out of questions and became host of Jazz Nightly instead. Karl makes his home in Vermillion with his charming wife Kari and three delightful children, Kodey, Kasey and Spatula. His hobbies include reciting the alphabet, combing his hair and doing volunteer work with delinquent songbirds.