JAZZ NOTES: Leopoldo Fleming, pulsating percussionist, dies at 85

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Leopoldo Fleming, the conguero and percussionist, and composer whose multi rhythms ignited the definitive sounds of Miriam Makeba, Nina Simone, and Harry Belafonte, died on April 28 in Paterson, N.J. He was 85.

His son Klzinga Fleming did not give a cause of death.

For six decades, Fleming’s magic was his effortless blending of African, Caribbean, and American musical traditions into a singular soul-stirring sound — he was a rhythm keeper of heritage and healing. In October 2007, Fleming led the 10-piece band of drummers and percussionists for the Memorial Dedication of the new African Burial Ground National Monument in lower Manhattan.

His colorful rhythms allowed him to perform with a variety of renowned artists, such as Lonnie Liston Smith and the Cosmic Echoes, “Expansions” (Flying Dutchman, 1974); Leon Thomas, Kenny Barron, David Murray, Queen Esther Marrow, Archie Shepp, Symphony of the New World, and the World Bass Violin Ensemble. His percussive sound was pivotal on Native American tenor saxophonist Jim Pepper’s lively album “Afro-Indian Blues” (PAO Records 2006), along with multi-instrumentalist Amina Claudine Myers and bassist Anthony Cox.

Although recognition eluded him during his prominent but understated career, Fleming was the international founder, leader, composer, and arranger of his Afro-Caribbean Jazz Ensemble with a New York City lineup that featured flautist Karen Joseph, pianist Dinah Vero, bassist Bryce Sebastien, and drummer/timbales player Emilio Valdés (son of Chucho Valdés). He also led a working local ensemble by the same name in Denmark. His musical concepts were expanded with world-class musicians while working in Vienna between 1987 and 1997.

The master conguero was known for many aspects of his career, but will forever be acknowledged for his accompaniment of South African singer, songwriter, and activist Miriam Makeba. He became a member of her band after Makeba’s her then-husband, trumpeter Hugh Masekela, invited him to her rehearsal in 1965. Fleming’s tenure that lasted until the mid-1970s, helped Makeba popularize the genres of world music and Afropop, and he played on her two hit singles: “Click Song” (1963) and “Pata Pata,” which appears on the album “Miriam Makeba — Pata Pata — The Hit Sound of Miriam Makeba” (Reprise, 1967). Makeba often introduced Fleming as “the man who can play almost anything and keeps us all together, the African via Puerto Rico,” as stated in the Bilingual News and Media JazzDeLaPena (2021).

The civil rights activist, singer-songwriter, and pianist Nina Simone referred to Fleming as “the man who made her dance” (JazzDeLaPena, 2021). He accompanied Simone for over a decade and made significant contributions to her sound on songs like “My Way” and “See Line Woman.” In 2013, he collaborated with saxophonist Chris Gonsior, and their joint album “Trato Común” was released under Alessa Records in Austria.
Photos courtesy of the Fleming family

Leopoldo Francisco Fleming was born on Sept. 16, 1939, in Puerto de Tierra, a suburb of San Juan, Puerto Rico. His father, Leopoldo Leander Fleming, and his mother immigrated from the neighboring Saint Thomas Island.

In 1947, when Fleming was 8, his parents separated. His father then took him and his younger brother to Saint Thomas, where they lived for four years. In 1951, the family moved to New York and settled in Spanish Harlem. Fleming’s early signs of musical talent were inspired by his father, who played double bass, guitar, and Cuban tres. He performed with several well-known local bands, including Mon Rivera, Sonoreros de Oriente, and Son de la Loma.

At 15, Fleming launched his career as a professional musician playing percussion for Katherine Dunham’s dance school. He later joined the big band of saxophonist Red Dixon and trombonist Jesse Devore, whose repertoire was a mix of jazz, mambo, and calypso.

Instilled with his mother’s emphasis on the importance of African heritage, Fleming collaborated with political activist, poet, and musician José Carlos Schwarz. The revolutionary was one of the creators of “Music of Intervention” that was instrumental in the freedom of former Portuguese colonies in Africa. He was also recognized as one of the most significant contemporary popular music creators in Guinea-Bissau. Fleming served as Schwarz’s sideman, and together they made the album “Diju di Galinha.” In 2013, Fleming collaborated with saxophonist Chris Gonsior, and their joint album “Trato Común” was released under Alessa Records in Austria.

Fleming used his authentic rhythms and warm melodies in a variety of arenas, such as the American Children’s television series “Vegetable Soup,” where his music enlightened and uplifted youngsters. He played an integral role with the prestigious Boys Choir of Harlem. His skills as an arranger and musical director received greater attention during his theater work with legendary singer and actress Eartha Kitt in the production of “Cowboy and the Legend,” at the Burt Reynolds Dinner Theater. He was given the opportunity to explore varied forms of jazz as musical director of the Brooklyn Academy of Music’s production of LeRoi Jones’ (Amiri Baraka) “Slave Ship” (1970), where he worked with the play’s director, Gilbert Moses, and performed with saxophonist Archie Shepp.

Fleming made his musical mark on Broadway and off-Broadway as musical director of the New York Shakespeare Festival’s Public Theater productions of “The Haggadah,” “Dispatches,” “Runaways,” and “Alice in Wonderland,” starring Meryl Streep.

For six decades, Fleming was a creative source who mentored generations of students and played a significant role as one of the world’s most influential percussionists, contributing to jazz, Afro-Caribbean, and African music.

“I am because he is the culture, an example of a relation through innovation of Sound. My first gig was with Leo at Minton’s in early 2000,” said dancer and spoken word artist Zakiyyah Modeste. “I never left him; he will never leave me. They say if you want to keep it, you have to give it away! He left us with an abundance of riches.”

Fleming is survived by his four children: Lenard Fleming, Monique Newman, Miguel Fleming, and Klzinga Fleming; his five grandchildren and three great-granddaughters; and his sister Carmen Void.

A memorial was held in Fleming’s honor at Harlem’s Patrick’s on the Hill. It was well-attended by his many friends, relatives, and a host of musicians who had performed with him on many occasions and played an extended jam session in his memory.