William Franklyn Leathers in Concert

Date: Sat, Feb 23, 2019 08:00PM
Price: $45, $40 Friends, $40 students and seniors
Includes same-day Museum admission (redeem at ticket desk)

In celebration of Black History Month, we invite you to join us for an unforgettable performance from William Franklyn Leathers, a young trumpet and piano virtuoso with an extraordinary gift. At 17, he is already a multi-award-winning musician.

Now a student at the famed Juilliard School in New York City, Leathers takes the stage at the Museum with his father, Howard Leathers, trumpeter and vocalist, to share their musical father-son story. They’ll be joined by an ensemble of supporting musicians to play music ranging from jazz and blues, to gospel, reggae, classical, and more.

This performance is part of our 2018/19 Performing Arts season, The Other Side of Fear, featuring acclaimed artists who have transcended fear through music, dance, and spoken word. Making his mark in the music world at such a young age, Leathers has displayed a remarkable bravery and determination that defies the odds.

The Museum presents William Franklyn Leathers in associate partnership with Joy Bullen, Black History Month Concert Tours, and presenting sponsor TD Bank Group.

Bio:

Only 17 years old, Toronto’s William Franklyn Leathers is already an acclaimed trumpeter and pianist. At age 12, he was the youngest trumpeter to join the Toronto Symphony Youth Orchestra. That same year he took a trumpet lesson from the legendary Wynton Marsalis. Born with the gift of “seeing” music as color, he has been making his mark as an artist since he was a young boy. This past year, Leathers was accepted to the prestigious Juilliard School, as one of only three undergraduate trumpeters and the only Canadian. In 2017, he won the Lou Williamson Scholarship, awarded to the top high school jazz musician in Canada, and in 2015 he won the MARTY Emerging Performing Artist award presented by the Mississauga Arts Council. Leathers has performed extensively in Canada and internationally. He was one of eight musicians from around the world invited in 2010 to perform at Rideau Hall in the Young Artists Inspired by Glenn Gould concert.