“King” Leo LaDell is one of Aotearoa’s best kept musical secrets. Born in Norfolk Virginia, LaDell has shared the stage with legends such as Pinetop Perkins and Bo Diddley. Leo brings his own powerful and dignified presence to a blend of traditional blues idioms and original music. After moving to Dunedin, New Zealand in 2004, Leo has been delivering some of the country’s best, most deeply felt live performances and has built a loyal following. With his voice, harmonica, guitar and piano, Leo has crafted a distinctive, compelling blues sound.
In June 2022, King Leo went into Pōneke’s Surgery Studios with a hand-picked band to record an album on his terms. The result is an organic 11 track project spanning Blues, Gospel and even Country, featuring compositions by Leo, producer/guitarist Chris Armour and his son Oscar. The album bursts with life and passion and conveys Leo’s love both for other people and for the music itself.
