| |
Sunday, October 13, 2024
|
|
 |
 |
| |
|
|
|
Leonard (Riley) McIntyre was born in Montreal,
Quebec in 1934. As a child in Montreal Leonard enjoyed having
jazz legend Oscar Peterson as a next door neighbour. Leonard
believes it was this early influence which helped foster a
life-long love of music.
Leonard McIntyre moved to Windsor in the mid 1940’s.
As a young man he pursued many interests but it was his attraction
to music that was foremost and set him on his musical journey.
Still in his teens Leonard returned to Montreal to launch
is career as a |
|
|
| Jazz musician Leonard
McIntyre - photo courtesy
of Leonard McIntyre |
|
professional bass player. He played at many venues
in the Montreal area and after a short stay returned to the Windsor
area.
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Mr. McIntyre’s musical career in the area
has spanned over 40 years. He has played with many well known
musicians and bands in Windsor and Detroit, Michigan. Leonard
along with Kenny Brinkley on sax, Don Whited on drums and Ernest
Wilson on piano, formed the Decoys (as seen below in 1960). He
played frequently in the posh Playboy Club in Detroit. In the
mid 1960’s McIntyre was part of the Bobby Laurel trio and
played at many prominent venues. Leonard is also pictured below
as a member of The Contemporary Art Ensemble in 1977. The other
members of the ensemble were Ray Bower,
|
|
| Click
here to see images & details |
|
Alexander Zonjic, Al Linnell, Gary Findley and ‘Funky
Fred’. Leonard was also well known in Windsor as part of
Triad a trio which included Ray Bower and Al
|
|
Linnell. Leonard was described in the
Star article below from 1987 as a ‘stalwart musician’ with
a wide knowledge jazz standards.
Leonard McIntyre was a member of the Board of Directors for the
Federation of Musicians in Windsor for several years. He was very
concerned with helping protect the rights of his fellow musicians.
As a member of the board Mr. McIntyre was involved with many contract
negotiations and especially recalls heated negotiations with a prominent
American casino owner. |
| |
| Back to previous page |
| |
