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.