Oregon, USA - James “Jimmy” Leyden formed and wrote charts for “Calliope′s Children,” one of the first High School steelbands in the US. He introduced Ellie [Mannette] to the strobe tuner and worked extensively with him on harmonic and overtone concepts (in Chappaqua, New York in 1971). Leyden toured with “Calliope′s Children” in Romania (1975) and Poland and Russia (1977).
In 1985 he established, with Ellie Mannete, the Haystack Steel Drum Summer Workshop (Cannon Beach, Oregon). Leyden was an instructor at the Mannette Steel Drum Workshop (Morgantown, West Virginia) 1995-1998. He founded Hillbridge Music in 1996 and inaugurated the Steel Band in School and Community at the Villanova (Univ) Summer Music Program, and, a similar program at the University of Delaware directed by Harvey Price.
Calliope’s Children Orchestra
Calliope’s Children Orchestra
Calliope's Children Farewell Concert 6/12/77
Brazilian Suite - On Ellie's Pans
Batucada, Berimbau, Santana
Manha de Carnival, Samba de Orfeo
(Final Performance before Poland/Russia tour!)
James “Jimmy” Leyden (lower left, in suit) Calliope’s Children Orchestra
Images provided by James Leyden
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