Leonard White III (born December 19, 1949) is an American jazz fusion drummer who was a member of the band Return to Forever led by Chick Corea in the 1970s. White has been called "one of the founding fathers of jazz fusion". White has won three Grammys and one Latin Grammy. His song Algorithm Takedown won Best Song at the Cannes World Film Festival in 2023.

Early life and education

Born in Queens, New York City, White became interested in music at a young age. While he was living at home, his father would take him to jazz gigs. A self-taught drummer, he started playing with groups on the New York jazz scene. Early on, he played clubs such as the Aphrodisiac, Slugs, and The Gold Lounge. It was at The Gold Lounge where he had his first gig with saxophonist Jackie McLean. During the late 1960s he began performing with Mclean around Queens. Through this, White was recommended to play on Miles Davis' landmark 1969 LP Bitches Brew and feature on Freddie Hubbard's 1970 LP Red Clay. During 1972, White joined Return to Forever.

Career

In 1975 White released his debut solo album entitled ‘’Venusian Summer,’’which featured guitarists Al DiMeola and fusion guitar pioneer, Larry Coryell. Big City was released in 1977. During 1978 he released his Space opera inspired The Adventures of Astral Pirates and his third solo album Streamline. He eventually formed the jazz/soul group Twennynine who went on to issue three studio albums, 1979's Best of Friends, Twennynine with Lenny White in 1980, and 1981's Just Like Dreamin'. White then made a guest appearance on Chick Corea's 1982 album Touchstone and produced Chaka Khan's 1982 LP Echoes of an Era. He also co-produced, with EW&F's Maurice White, Pieces of a Dream's 1986 LP Joyride and later released his 1995 album Present Tense. White now teaches at NYU Steinhardt where he has an ensemble as well as a lecture class on Bitches Brew called “The Miles Davis Aesthetic.”

Personal life

White has been a longtime resident of Teaneck, New Jersey. He endorses Vic Firth drum sticks and only plays his own signature epoch cymbals sponsored by Istanbul Agop.

Awards and honors

Grammy Awards White has earn two sole Grammy Award nominations, while winning a total of three. ! scope="row" | 1975 ! scope="row" | 2010 ! scope="row" | 2011 Latin Grammy Awards White has been nominated for and won one Latin Grammy Award. ! scope="row" | 2011 Cannes World Film Festival 2023 Best Song Winner with Algorithm Takedown

Discography

As leader/co-leader

As Return to Forever

With Chick Corea, Bill Connors and Stanley Clarke With Chick Corea, Al Di Meola and Stanley Clarke As Corea, Clarke & White With Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Jean-Luc Ponty, Frank Gambale

As producer

As sideman

With Geri Allen With Azteca With Cyrus Chestnut With Stanley Clarke With Larry Coryell & Victor Bailey With Letizia Gambi With Chaka Khan, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Chick Corea & Stanley Clarke With Al Di Meola With Wallace Roney With Buster Williams With others