Throughout his childhood in Baltimore, Lionel Lyles, II excelled in Music. While in middle school he was exposed to Charlie Parker. Along with classic Motown recordings and Bird, Lionel started developing an ear for Bebop and Rhythm & Blues. This fire that was lit carried over into High School were he picked up various instruments. Such as Clarinet, Flute, Piano, and Trombone. Upon graduating from high school, Lionel was awarded the Semper Fi Outstanding Musician award from the United States Marine Corp.
Lionel majored in Music Education at Morgan State University, where he participated in the wind ensemble, jazz ensemble, marching band, pep band, and jazz combo. In 2000 when he and a few of his colleagues decided they wanted more hands on experience in the jazz medium and started playing out in public. This would be paramount in the cultivation and promulgation of The Lionel Lyles Quintet. He graduated from Morgan State in 2002. ...
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Throughout his childhood in Baltimore, Lionel Lyles, II excelled in Music. While in middle school he was exposed to Charlie Parker. Along with classic Motown recordings and Bird, Lionel started developing an ear for Bebop and Rhythm & Blues. This fire that was lit carried over into High School were he picked up various instruments. Such as Clarinet, Flute, Piano, and Trombone. Upon graduating from high school, Lionel was awarded the Semper Fi Outstanding Musician award from the United States Marine Corp.
Lionel majored in Music Education at Morgan State University, where he participated in the wind ensemble, jazz ensemble, marching band, pep band, and jazz combo. In 2000 when he and a few of his colleagues decided they wanted more hands on experience in the jazz medium and started playing out in public. This would be paramount in the cultivation and promulgation of The Lionel Lyles Quintet. He graduated from Morgan State in 2002.
In 2006 The Lionel Lyles Quintet recorded its first studio project, “The Lionel Lyles Quintet: The September Sessions.” This was dedicated to the city of Baltimore. In 2008 the quintet participated in the inaugural Chic Webb Jazz Combo competition at Artscape. Though the band did not win, a new direction was realized the band and for Lionel: he decided that he needed more eduction and enrolled in North Carolina Central University, studying with national jazz icons such as Branford Marsalis and Joey Calderazzo. On staff as Director of Jazz Studies is Dr. Ira Wiggins, and Brian Horton. Both of whom are over the saxophone studio at the university. During his tenure at NCCU, he had the opportunity to meet and work with Antonio Parker, Dalfeyo Marsalis, Jimmy Heath, Roy Hargrove, Wynton Marsalis, and Vincent Gardner. The University Big Band had the opportunity to travel to the Newport Jazz Festival to join Branford Marsalis in a special musical performance which was recorded live for NPR music. After a grueling three years period in grad school, Lionel graduated in 2011.
For the next two years Lionel would continue to further develop his sound and writing skills. Working with Royal Caribbean International Cruises a mini European Tour afforded Lionel to travel to Europe. Many new tunes would be experimented on while traveling.
In 2014 The band was able to finally record its long awaited sophomore studio project entitled, “The Lionel Lyles Quintet: At The Precipice”. The project has been met with positive reviews. You can check it out at www.LLQmusic.com. Lionel also joined the Recording Academy in 2014. This organization has opened many doors through music industry networking.
In 2015-16 Lionel has enjoyed a lot of accolades and achievements. In 2015 he won a “Jazzy” for the Best Tenor Saxophonist in Washington, D.C. Later in 2016 Lionel won “best performing artist” across all genres in Washington, D.C. and best new Jazz Artist in Washington, D.C. All awards and postings were given by the Washington City Paper.
Throughout the Lionel Lyles Quintet’s 14 year existence, the group has seen many faces. Such great musicians as Craig Alston, Anthony “Blue” Jenkins, Dan Marcellus, Mark Prince, Theljon Allen, Joel Mills, Joel Holmes, Freddie Dunn, Oscar Passley, Michael Fitzhugh, Theous Jones, Romier Mendez, Percy White, Todd Simon, Darent Polk, James Johnson, and Brandon Moultrie. The band has entertained many stages in Maryland, Washington, D.C., Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, New York, Philadelphia, Louisiana, and California. Be on the lookout for The Lionel Lyles Quintet (LLQ) coming to a stage near you! “Jazz, Everything Else Is Just Details!”
Tickets: $12 in advance/$15 at door/$10 full-time students with ID
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