Among the most proficient and accomplished bassists in the field of contemporary jazz, Orlando le Fleming's virtuoso technique, boundless creativity and powerful beat are those of a musician who has found himself occupying a space in the uppermost stratum of American improvised music.
His facility as an improviser and capacity as a team player were first honed not on the bandstand, nor in the practice room, but on the cricket pitch. Originally from the UK, Le Fleming seemed destined for an athletic career, and was briefly a professional cricketer, until he was granted a place at the Royal Academy of Music, and his lifelong passion for music won out.
His 2003 move to New York City was a timely one. Soon after arriving stateside, he joined Jane Monheit's band, consequently sharing the bass duties on her 2004 release Taking a Chance on Love with Ron Carter and Christian McBride; the year following, he recorded with jazz legend Jimmy Cobb on his Marsalis Music Honors release. In the years since, leaders as diverse as Branford Marsalis, Joey Calderazzo, Kurt Rosenwinkel, Bill Charlap, Billy Cobham, Ari Hoenig, Seamus Blake, Jeff “Tain” Watts and David Sanchez have relied on Le Fleming's firm beat and eloquent counterpoint to propel their rhythm sections forward.
While he succeeds as a sideman, it is as a leader that Le Fleming truly shines. From Brooklyn With Love is a living document of Orlando's original compositions, as performed by his 2010 quartet. Recorded in concert at storied Park Slope hangout Freddy's, it features saxophonist Will Vinson, guitarist Lage Lund, and drummer Antonio Sanchez. Riding the high acclaim of this initial release, Lund, Vinson, and Le Fleming would go on to form the drum-less OWL Trio, who’s eponymous 2013 debut was hailed by critics and listeners alike.
More recently, Le Fleming has become recognized as a keen doubler: 2016 brought a wide array of opportunities as an electric bassist, from accompanying Tony-winning vocalist Leslie Odom Jr. to navigating the shifting metrics of Wayne Krantz's legendary 55 Bar residency. His latest endeavour, Romantic Funk, presents a pastiche of classic fusion sounds and ideas, updated by Le Fleming's signature palette of polyrhythm and abstract exploration. 2020 will the see the release of Romantic Funk’s second album - The Unfamiliar, and also a new OWL Trio record featuring grammy-winning vocalist, Kurt Elling.
Photo by Antonio Baiano