Leland Sklar

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Leland Sklar

Leland Sklar in 2007
Background information
Birth name Leland Bruce Sklar
Also known as Lee Sklar
Born May 28, 1947 (1947-05-28) (age 62)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Origin Southern California
Genre(s) Rock, Pop, Country
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, Bassist, Film score composer, Session musician
Instrument(s) Bass guitar, Vocals
Years active 1960s – present
Associated acts The Section, James Taylor, Phil Collins, Toto, Era

Leland "Lee" Bruce Sklar (born May 28, 1947) is an American musician, singer-songwriter and film score composer. A prominent bass guitarist, Sklar has contributed to thousands of albums as a session musician[1]. He has collaborated with a number of well-known performers and recorded sound tracks to films and television shows. Leland is known by his family members as "Father Time".

Sklar is known for his distinctive long flowing beard. He toured with Toto beginning in 2007 until the band broke up in 2008. He was filling in for Mike Porcaro, who was injured. On January 19, 2009, he appeared as the bassist in concert in Los Angeles at a farewell Bush concert, backing Harry Shearer (Le Show, voices of several Simpsons characters, etc.). The show was called Harry Shearer and the High Value Detainees "Bye Bye Bushmen" Concert. The album by the Bushmen is now Grammy nominated in the comedy category. He and most of the other musicians wore orange prison-style detainee jumpsuits.

Contents

[edit] Biography

Born in Wisconsin, Sklar's family moved to Southern California when he was very young. Sklar started playing piano at age five. By the time he started secondary school his intention was to continue to study the piano. There were, however, a surfeit of pianists and no string bass players. When given the possibility to study the bass, Sklar made the change.

Sklar studied music at California State University, Northridge. It was there that he met James Taylor, who invited him to play bass at some venues. They both thought that the work would be short-term, but soon Taylor's career took off with his first hit records, and Sklar came into the limelight. He was soon asked to record with others, and his long career began.[2]

In the 1970s Sklar worked so frequently with drummer Russ Kunkel, guitarist Danny Kortchmar, and keyboardist Craig Doerge that they eventually became known as "The Section" and recorded three albums under that name between 1972 and 1977.

[edit] Selected discography

[edit] Selected albums


[edit] Selected Film and Television Soundtracks


[edit] Compositions

  • "Woh, Don't You Know" (with D. Kortchmar and J. Taylor) — One Man Dog (J. Taylor)

[edit] References

 This article includes a list of references, related reading or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. Please improve this article by introducing more precise citations where appropriate. (February 2008)
  1. ^ www.toto99.com - Official TOTO Website - Leland Sklar
  2. ^ Session Players biography. Accessed November 2008.

[edit] External links

v • d • e
Toto
Steve Lukather • Bobby Kimball • Mike Porcaro • Simon Phillips • David Paich • Greg Phillinganes
David Hungate • Jeff Porcaro • Steve Porcaro • Dennis "Fergie" Frederiksen • Joseph Williams • Jean-Michel Byron • Jenny Douglas-McRae • John James
Studio albums
Compilations, live albums,
and soundtracks
Notable singles
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leland_Sklar"
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