Lenny White

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. He has expressed admiration for drummers Kenny Clarke, Max Roach, Art Blakey, Philly Joe Jones, Roy Haynes, Elvin Jones, and Tony Williams, all of whom he dedicated a piece he titled "Magnificent Seven" to.

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. His second solo album, 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.

Personal life White has been a longtime resident of Teaneck, New Jersey.

Awards and honorsGrammy AwardsWhite has earned two sole Grammy Award nominations, while winning a total of three.

No Mystery Best Jazz Performance by a group

The Stanley Clarke Band Best Contemporary Jazz Album

Forever Best Jazz Instrumental Album Latin Grammy AwardsWhite has been nominated for and won one Latin Grammy Award.

Forever Best Instrumental Album Cannes World Film Festival 2023Best Song Winner with Algorithm Takedown

Discography As leader/co-leader Venusian Summer (Nemperor, 1976) – rec. 1975 Big City (Nemperor, 1977) The Adventures of Astral Pirates (Elektra, 1978) Streamline (Elektra, 1978) Attitude (Wounded Bird, 1983) In Clinic (DCI, 1983) Present Tense (Hip Bop, 1995) Renderers of Spirit (Hip Bop Essence, 1996) Edge (Hip Bop, 1998) Collection (Hip Bop, 2002) The Love Has Never Gone: Tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire (Trauma, 2004) Hancock Island (Chesky, 2008) Anomaly (Abstract Logix, 2010) Lenny White Live (BFM Jazz, 2013)CollaborationsWith Chaka Khan, Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Chick Corea and Stanley Clarke Echoes of an Era (Elektra, 1982) Echoes of an Era 2 – The Concert (Elektra, 1982)

As a member Return to ForeverWith Chick Corea, Bill Connors and Stanley Clarke Hymn of the Seventh Galaxy (Polydor, 1973)

With Chick Corea, Al Di Meola and Stanley Clarke Where Have I Known You Before (Polydor, 1974) No Mystery (Polydor, 1975) Romantic Warrior (Columbia, 1976) Returns (Eagle, 2009)

As Corea, Clarke & White Forever (Concord, 2009)

With Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke, Jean-Luc Ponty, Frank Gambale The Mothership Returns (Eagle, 2012)Azteca Azteca (Columbia, 1972) Pyramid of the Moon (Columbia, 1973) From The Ruins (in-akustik, 2008) – rec. 2007The Manhattan Project(With Wayne Shorter, Michel Petrucciani, Stanley Clarke, Gil Goldstein and Pete Levin) The Manhattan Project (Blue Note, 1990) – rec. 1989

As producer Sylvia St. James, Magic (Elektra, 1981) Chaka Khan, Echoes of an Era (Elektra, 1982) Tina Harris, I must not be kinky (Shanachie, 1985) Nicki Richards, Naked (To the World) (Elektra, 1991) Letizia Gambi, Introducing Letizia Gambi (Jando Music / Via Veneto Jazz, 2012) Letizia Gambi, Blue Monday (RP / IYOUWE, 2016)

As sideman With Geri Allen Some Aspects of Water (Storyville, 1997) – live rec. 1996 The Gathering (Verve, 1998)With Cyrus Chestnut Natural Essence (HighNote, 2016) There's a Sweet, Sweet Spirit (HighNote, 2017)With Stanley Clarke Children of Forever (Polydor, 1973) Journey to Love (Nemperor, 1975) The Stanley Clarke Trio, Jazz in the Garden (Heads Up, 2009)With Larry Coryell & Victor Bailey Electric (Chesky, 2005) Traffic (Chesky, 2006)With Letizia Gambi''' Introducing Letizia Gambi'' (2012)(Jando Music/Via Veneto Jazz)