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Leon Spencer

1945 – 2012

American jazz organist

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About Leon Spencer

Lived 1945 – 2012 (aged 66). Leon Spencer was an American pianist, jazz musician and musician.

Leon Spencer (November 1, 1945 – March 11, 2012) was an American jazz organist from Houston, Texas. He played piano with David Newman and organ with Melvin Sparks. Spencer recorded for Prestige in the early 1970s with Buddy Caldwell, Idris Muhammad, Melvin Sparks, and Grover Washington Jr.

Discography

As leader Sneak Preview! (Prestige, 1970; reissued as Legends Of Acid Jazz: Leon Spencer, 1997) Louisiana Slim (Prestige, 1971; reissued as Legends Of Acid Jazz: Leon Spencer, 1997) Bad Walking Woman (Prestige, 1972) Where I'm Coming From (Prestige, 1973)

As sideman With Lou Donaldson Pretty Things (Blue Note, 1970) Cosmos (Blue Note, 1971) The Scorpion: Live at The Cadillac Club (Blue Note, 1995) – rec. 1970

With Wilbert Longmire Revolution (World Pacific, 1969) This Side of Heaven (J&M, 1976)

With Melvin Sparks Sparks! (Prestige, 1970) – reissued as Legends of Acid Jazz: Melvin Sparks (1996) Spark Plug (Prestige, 1971) – reissued as Legends of Acid Jazz: Melvin Sparks (1996) Akilah! (Prestige, 1972)

With Sonny Stitt Turn It On! (Prestige, 1971) – reissued as Legends of Acid Jazz: Sonny Stitt (1996) You Talk That Talk! with Gene Ammons (Prestige, 1971) – reissued as Legends of Acid Jazz: Gene Ammons (1997) Black Vibrations (Prestige, 1971) – reissued as Legends of Acid Jazz: Sonny Stitt (1996)

With others Rusty Bryant, Fire Eater (Prestige, 1971) – reissued as Legends of Acid Jazz: Rusty Bryant, Vol. 2 (1999) Karl Denson, Dance Lesson #2 (Blue Note, 2001)

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Also known as
Leon Spencer, Jr.

People in Leon Spencer's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Leon Spencer's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Leon Spencer?

American jazz organist (1945–2012)

When was Leon Spencer born?

Leon Spencer was born on 1 November 1945 in Houston.

When did Leon Spencer die?

Leon Spencer died on 11 March 2012.

What was Leon Spencer's occupation?

Leon Spencer was a pianist, jazz musician and musician.

What nationality was Leon Spencer?

Leon Spencer was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Leon Spencer

· Wikidata: Q970394

· DBpedia: Leon Spencer

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Leon Spencer. https://biography.guide/leon-spencer/

MLA: "Leon Spencer." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/leon-spencer/.

Chicago: "Leon Spencer." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/leon-spencer/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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