Orlando le Fleming
Professorial Staff- Jazz Bass
Primary Study
Jazz Double Bass
Biography
World renowned bassist Orlando le Fleming was born in Birmingham but spent most of his early childhood living in Exeter, Devon. Both of his parents are professional musicians; his mother a cellist and his father a composer. His first ambition was to become a professional cricketer, an aim that was realized when he played for five years in the minor counties.
After receiving a place at London’s Royal Academy of Music, Orlando decided to give up cricket and pursue his love of music. While based in London, he quickly established himself as one of the UK’s most prominent bass players touring and recording with Jason Rebello, Julian Joseph, Iain Ballamy, Tommy Smith, Jean Toussaint, and Guy Barker to name a few.
Orlando moved to the United States in 2003 and became one of the most in demand bass players on the New York jazz scene, playing and recording with Ari Hoenig, Branford Marsalis, Jimmy Cobb, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Seamus Blake, David Sanchez, Joey Calderazzo, Antonio Sanchez, Wayne Krantz, Kurt Rosenwinkel and Leslie Odom Jr.
Orlando has also released numerous albums as a leader, including the critically acclaimed OWL trio (with long-time associates Will Vinson and Lage Lund) and Romantic Funk, a pastiche of classic fusion sounds inspired by the band Weather Report.
More recently Orlando is working on a co-led trio with Mark Turner and Jeff “Tain” Watts.