“A Change Is Coming” represents a major leap for singer/songwriter LeRoy Bell. Not only has he grown as a touring artist, but also the experience has given his music an edge that places him into league of performers creating a sound that crosses many demographics. Taking a cue from his roots, the soul and R&B styles incorporated into “Change” plays out on the contemporary musical field.
The reception to LeRoy’s music has been spectacular. He has performed with Van Morrison, Sheryl Crow, B.B. King, Etta James, Joe Cocker, Al Green, Paolo Nutini, India.Arie, Erykah Badu, LeAnne Rimes, Joan Osborne, Michael McDonald, Suzanne Vega, Idina Menzel, Colin Hay, Mavis Staples, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, Keb Mo, Taj Mahal, Leon Russell, Sonny Landreth, Charlie Musselwhite, & Los Lobos.
He’s played the Portland Waterfront Blues Festival, The San Jose Jazz Festival, The Vancouver Island Music Festival, and The Coldsnap Festival.
LeRoy was personally invited by B.B. King to open for him at his Oct 15, 2007 historic return to The Filmore Auditorium in San Francisco.
LeRoy’s band features Terry Morgan on bass, who has played Dee Daniels, Pat Wright & The Total Experience Gospel Choir, Dave Lewis, Thelma Houston and others. On drums the mighty force of Davis Martin, formerly of Maktub.
His music gets heavy in-store at Starbucks worldwide thanks to great support from PlayNetwork.
The Bell family legacy extended from Philly to Seattle when Thom Bell, LeRoy’s uncle and third member of Mighty Three Music (along with Kenny Gamble and Leon Huff) opened up the west coast offices of Mighty Three Music in the late 70′s. As a young staff writer LeRoy teamed with Casey James and wrote songs that would be recorded by The Spinners, The O’Jays, The Temptations, Rita Marley and most notably Elton John.
“Mama Can’t Buy Me Love”, from the “Thom Bell Sessions”, went to #9 pop, #36 R&B, and #1 AC in the fall of 1979. Earning John a Grammy Nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance. That same year Bell and James had their own million- seller with “Livin It Up (Friday Night)” on A&M Records.
2003 brought new life for LeRoy as the Fat Boy Slim mix of Elton’s “Are You Ready For Love”, reached #1 in England and most of Europe. LeRoy reinvented himself emerging as a singer/songwriter releasing on his own label Martez Music the acclaimed EP Spending Time, selling over 15,000 copies, and the 2006 release of his first full length CD Two Sides To Every Story, receiving rave reviews, bringing to light social issues, concerns and compassion for all, with the hopes of youth, love, and optimism.
