s

Leif Totusek

Leif Totusek (born 11 May 1964) is an American guitarist, band leader, and composer. He has played, collaborated and been special guest with African Artist Mose Fan Fan, Ali Birra, Geoffrey Oryema, Diblo Dibala, Orchestra Virunga, Tabu Ley Rocherea among others. He is also well versed in the be-bop idiom, and many other musical styles and cultural music.

Contents

  1. Early life
  2. Discography
  3. Performances
  4. Newspaper articles and Radio Reviews
  5. References
  6. Contact

Early life

Raised in a musical family on Capitol Hill in Seattle,WA, Totusek began performing at age 15 with Seattle's F.A.M.E and St. Teresa Gospel choirs and numerous musical groups, including: "Lora and Sukutai"(Zimbabwe), "Paisley Sin"(Seattle-grunge), with "M.T.Q." [aka Martin Totusek Quintet] (jazz and blues originals, standards, and the music of Thelonious Monk) at the 1987 Bumbershoot Music & Arts Festival, and others. At age 17, he traveled to London and immersed himself in the London ethnic jazz scene. He toured with Soukous veteran Mose se 'Fan Fan', (former member of the late Franco Luambo Makiadi and TPOK Jazz) and his group "Somo Somo" - members included: Roy Dodds, John Glyn, Huw Warren, Doreen Webster , T. Daniel Howard. He also performed with Nigerian jazz artist Gasper Lawal "The African Oro Band" - Salah Dawson Miller's World fusion band "Orquesta Chakckouka" - Eddie Edem "Hi-life" and with many other world and jazz musicians. In 1982, Leif first created his jazz influenced band "Freestyle Candela" adding Arne Livingston on bass and percussionist Mamadi Kamara on percussion in 1984. It was called "Seattle Jazz" then "Freestyle" before settling on "Freestyle Candela".

At age 26, Totusek moved to Boston, hiring local musicians Joshua Redman, Mark Turner, Scott Gilman, Jessica Lurie and others. Blending Soukous, blues, and jazz in his compositions, he helped popularize Zairian(Congolese) soukous guitar in the Boston music scene. He also performed and recorded with Senegalese band "Ibrahima Camara Safal", and recorded with his friend Mark Sandman...

At age 29, Totusek returned to Seattle, creating his new band name Freestyle Candela.

Today Totusek resides in Seattle still performing shows with his groups "Leif Totusek 1-2-3", "Freestyle Candela" and other artists.

Discography

albums

Performances (Highlights)

Leif Totusek - Freestyle Candela

  • 2023 Washington Blues Society, Gas Station Blues - Issaquah, WA
  • 2023 Tilikum Place Park - Seattle, WA
  • 2023 The Royal Room - Seattle, WA
  • 2023 Columbia City Night Market - Seattle, WA
  • 2022 World Rhythm Festival 2022 ~ Dance Party!!! - Seattle, WA
  • 2022 A Benefit Show for Rezo Lekol Kreyol - Network of Kreyol Schools ~ in Haiti - Seattle, WA
  • 2021 Rainier Arts Center "PORCH FESTIVAL" - Seattle, WA
  • 2020 Candela Avenue Studios - Seattle, WA
  • 2019 Fiddlers Inn - Seattle,WA
  • 2019 Nigerian Event VIP - Seattle,WA
  • 2018 World Rhythm Festival - Seattle, WA
  • 2018 San Juan Islands Summer Arts Festival - Friday Harbor, WA
  • 2018 Circle Rock Ranch Concert Series - Vashon, WA
  • 2018 Latona Pub Earth Day - Seattle, WA
  • 2017 Salif Keita - Kings Hall
  • 2016 World Rhythm Festival - Seattle Center
  • 2015 St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, Seattle - Blue Nile Children's Organization
  • 2014 Waterfront Blues Festival Portland, Oregon
  • 2014 High Point Community Center West Seattle, Seattle WA
  • 2014 May 10 Hotel Decca = Healing the Children Oregon and Western Washington Chapter
  • 2013 Waterfront Blues Festival Portland, Oregon
  • 2013 August 23 "Special guest Tjovi Ginen", GEP Foundation free Education for Haitian youth - Lucid Lounge
  • 2013 Nov 2 GLOBAL HEALTH GALA Healing the Children Oregon and Western Washington Chapter - The Mountaineers, Seattle, WA
  • 2013 March 2 Blue Nile Children?s Organization - St. Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, Seattle
  • 2013 July 12 Woodland Park Zoo
  • 2013 August 10, Longbranch, WA "Drum Fest"
  • 2012 October 20, 2nd Annual Positive Seattle Festival, Seattle,WA
  • 2012 The Conway Muse
  • 2012 Egan's Ballard Jam House
  • 2011 Museum of History and Industry - Seattle, WA
  • 2010 Benaroya Hall - Inside/Out Jazz Awards
  • 2009 March 13, Egan's Ballard Jam House
  • 2008 September 8 The Triple Door
  • 2008/2016 The Triple Door . . .
  • 2009 Seattle OnHold Music
  • 2009 April 7th and 8th The Triple Door , with J. J. Cale Seattle WA
  • 2009 Connecticut Yankee, San Francisco, California
  • 2009 Seattle Weekly's REVERB Seattle WA
  • 2008 February 28, Nectar Lounge
  • 2008 The Shrine and Otto;s Shunkin' Head (NYC)
  • 2007 July 6 Columbia City "Beat Walk"
  • 2007 August 2 Seattle Art Museum
  • 2007 May 26 The Triple Door
  • 2007 Whidbey Island Festival
  • 2007 June 30 Masquers Theater Soap Lake, Washington
  • 2006 January 22 and November 26, HIDMO African Nights Seattle, WA
  • 2005 July 23 The Scarlet Tree, Benefit for Ghana
  • Anthony's Somerville Boston,MA
  • Fremont Fair Seattle WA
  • Northwest Folklife (Mercer Arena) Seattle WA
  • Ryles Jazz Club Boston, MA
  • The Middle East (nightclub) Boston, MA
  • Rhode Island School of Design
  • Massachusetts Institute of Technology Boston, MA
  • Adams House (Harvard College) Boston, MA
  • Riverside Studios London, England
  • Watermans Arts Centre London, England
  • The Jazz Cafe' London, England
  • Bumbershoot (1994, 1996, 2002)

Leif Totusek "Triunity" established 2023

  • 2024 Latona Pub - Seattle, WA
  • 2023 Latona Pub - Seattle, WA

Leif Totusek 1-2-3

  • 2023 Latona Pub - Seattle, WA
  • 2022 Latona Pub - Seattle, WA
  • 2021 Latona Pub - Seattle, WA
  • 2020 Candela Avenue Studios - Seattle, WA
  • 2019 Tangletown Pub - Seattle, WA
  • 2018 Lighthouse Roasters "Chef Brad Inserra" - Seattle, WA
  • 2018 Elsom Cellars - Seattle, WA
  • 2018 Hotel Albatross - Seattle, WA
  • 2018 Latona Pub - Seattle, WA
  • 2017 Latona Pub - Seattle, WA
  • 2016 The Washington Center for the Performing Arts - Olympia, WA
  • 2016 Seattle Public Library - Seattle PlayBack
  • 2015 High Point Community Center - Seattle, WA
  • 2014 March 24 High Point Neighborhood House - Seattle, WA
  • 2013 January 4 Latona Pub GEP Foundation: Groupe en Priere (?Group in Prayer?) Haiti Benefit Show
  • 2012 HighPoint Bataan Park Grand Opening - Seattle, WA
  • 2011 September 2 - Colombia City Beat Walk - Seattle, WA
  • 2010 Latona Pub
  • 2009 August 13 Earshot Jazz "The Art of Jazz" Seattle Art Museum
  • 2007 August 5 The Royal Esquire Club
  • 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013 The Triple Door
  • 2006 Jazz in the Park, Seward Park Amphitheatre
  • 2002/2009 Earshot Jazz Seattle Art Museum
  • 2002 Experience Music Project Museum of Pop Culture . . .

Lora Chiorah & Leif Totsek

  • 2012 Hidmo - Seattle, WA
  • 2009 Eagans Ballard Jam House - Seattle, WA
  • 2008 Beyond the Borders - Longbranch, WA
  • 2010 Taste Of Edmonds Fair - Edmonds, WA

The Jamisons

  • 2021 Candela Avenue Studios - Seattle, WA
  • 2020 Candela Avenue Studios - Seattle, WA
  • 2019 Conor Byrne Pub - Seattle, WA
  • 2018 The Ould Triangle - Seattle, WA
  • 2018 Conor Byrne Pub - Seattle, WA
  • 2017 The Old Pequliar - Seattle, WA
  • 2017 Molly Maguires - Seattle, WA
  • 2016 Blue Moon Tavern - Seattle, WA
  • 2015 The Celtic Swell - Seattle, WA

Sam Pierce Band

  • 2022 540 Project - Seattle, WA
  • 2021 Candela Avenue Studios - Seattle, WA
  • 2020 Candela Avenue Studios - Seattle, WA
  • 2018 Highpoint Family Center - Seattle, WA
  • Union Station - Seattle, WA
  • Ballard Firehouse - Seattle, WA
  • 2016 The Triple Door - Seattle, WA
  • 2016 West Seattle Art Walk - Seattle, WA
  • 2012 Highpoint Bataan Park Grand opening - Seattle, WA

Love Gangsters

  • 2023 Perihelion Brewery - Seattle, WA
  • 2022 Jules Maes "Georgetown" - Seattle, WA
  • 2020 Candela Avenue Studios - Seattle, WA
  • 2020 Port Townsend Brewery - Port Townsend, WA
  • 2020 Sirens - Port Townsend, WA
  • 2019 Snoqualmie Railroad Days - Snoqualmie, WA
  • 2018 Triple Door Mainstage - Seattle, WA
  • 2018 Delizioso - Mill Creek, WA
  • 2017 VIP - Issaquah, WA
  • 2016 Back Door Lounge - Seattle, WA
  • 2013 Mona's - Seattle, WA
  • 2012 Lucid Lounge - Seattle, WA
  • 2011 Hotel Deca - Seattle, WA

Sounds of the Sahara

  • 2023 Spirit Of Africa Festival Seattle, WA
  • 2022 Bellevue, WA School assembly Seattle, WA
  • 2021 Candela Avenue Studios, Seattle, WA
  • 2020 Candela Avenue Studios, Seattle, WA
  • 2019 Nectar Lounge, Seattle,WA
  • 2019 School Assembley VIP Bellevue, WA
  • 2019 School Assembley VIP Kenmore, WA

The Totusek, Butkovic, Iochev Trio

  • 2018 Columbia City Theater - Seattle, WA
  • Seattle Art Museum - Seattle, WA
  • OK Hotel - Seattle, WA
  • Redhook Brewery - Seattle, WA
  • Zigzags Seattle, WA
  • 2017 Sarajevo Lounge - Seattle, WA
  • 2016 Blue Moon Tavern - Seattle, WA

Arturo Rodriguez - Rhythm Ambassadors

  • 2023 Hispanic Heritage Week - Mount Vernon, WA
  • 2022 Renton Schools - Mount Vernon, WA
  • 2022 Northgate Schools - Mount Vernon, WA
  • 2019 Mount Vernon Schools - Mount Vernon, WA
  • 2018 Washington Athletic Club - Seattle, WA
  • 2018 Cafe Con Todo - Seattle, WA
  • 2018 V.I.P Renton,WA - Renton, WA
  • 2017 The Emerald of Siam - Richland, WA
  • 2017 Broadway Center for the Performing Arts - Tacoma, WA
  • 2017 Yakima School Assemblies - Yakima, WA
  • 2016 Port Orchard Library - Port Orchard, WA
  • 2016 Bremerton Public Library - Bremerton, WA

Atlantic Melody

  • 2022 Rumba Notes Lounge - Seattle, WA
  • 2018 Rumba Notes Lounge - Seattle, WA
  • 2016 Rumba Notes Lounge - Seattle, WA
  • 2014 Royal Room - Seattle, WA
  • 2014 Dahlak- Seattle, WA
  • 2014 Washington Hall - Seattle, WA
  • 2012 Hidmo - Seattle, WA
  • 2012 Crocodile - Seattle, WA

L'Orchestra Afrisound

  • 2022 Madaraka Festival - Seattle, WA
  • 2019 Columbia City Beatwalk - Seattle, WA
  • 2018 Columbia City Beatwalk - Seattle, WA
  • 2017 Columbia City Theater - Seattle, WA
  • 2017 Rumba Notes Lounge - Seattle, WA
  • 2017 Spirit of Africa Festival - Seattle, WA
  • 2016 Seattle World Rhythm Festival - Seattle, WA
  • 2016 Rumba Notes Lounge, WA
  • 2015 Kenya Benefit Dinner - Seattle, WA

Boka Kouyate ~ Djeliyah Band

  • 2023 The Junction - West Seattle, WA
  • 2022 Seattle Center Armory - Seattle, WA
  • 2022 Madaraka Festival - Seattle, WA
  • 2021 Mural Amphitheater - Seattle, WA
  • 2020 Royal Room - Seattle, WA
  • 2019 Neptune Theatre - Seattle, WA
  • 2018 Garfield Community Center - Seattle, WA
  • 2017 Festival Sundiata - Seattle Center
  • 2017 Festival Sundiata - Seattle Center
  • 2017 World Rhythm Festival - Seattle Center
  • 2016 Columbia City Theater - Seattle, WA
  • 2016 Mamaya @ Seward Park Amphitheater
  • 2016 Festival Sundiata - Seattle Center
  • 2016 World Rhythm Festival- Seattle Center
  • 2016 The Triple Door
  • 2016 Kunta Kinteh Island Tacoma Film premier - Life Center Central
  • 2015 Nectar Lounge - Seattle, WA

Geoffry Oreyema

  • 1999 WOMAD Seattle World of Music, Arts and Dance - Marymoor Park
  • 1999 - France Tour

Lora Chiorah & Sukutai Marimba and Dance Ensemble

  • Northwest Folklife - Memorial Stadium
  • Moore Theater
  • Nectar
  • Triple Door
  • 1999 WOMAD Seattle World of Music, Arts and Dance . . .

Somo Somo

  • Band Member 1984-1989
  • WOMAD World of Music, Arts and Dance England
  • Glasgow, Scotland
  • Edinburgh Festival Fringe Edinburgh, Scotland
  • The Bass Clef, London, England
  • Africa Centre, London,England
  • Lake District, England
  • Sheffield, England
  • Band on the Wall, Manchester, UK
  • Hackney. London

Ibrahima Camara

  • Orpheum Theatre (Boston) . . .
  • Cumberland Fair Cumberland, Maine
  • Johnny D's Uptown, Boston, MA
  • Ibrahima Camara and Safal Bumbershoot 2003
  • Fremont Fair Seattle WA
  • Northwest Folklife Seattle WA 2007
  • Firehouse - Seattle, WA
  • Nectar Lounge - Seattle, WA
  • Salmon Bay Eagles - Seattle, WA

Tjovi Ginen

  • House of Blues, Boston,MA
  • Lions Den NYC
  • Lucid Seattle, WA
  • Tour 1997 Haiti. . .
  • Provincetown, MA

Batwel Rada

  • 2012 Recording Session, Atlanta, GA
  • Cornell University NY
  • Johnny d's Boston, MA
  • Tour 1997 Haiti. . .
  • Middle East Cafe Boston, MA
  • Ryles Boston, MA
  • Sommerville Theater Boston, MA
  • Stand Theater Boston, MA

Ali Birra

  • 2004 Northwest Folklife (Seattle Opera House) McCaw Hall and Mural Amphitheater Seattle Center

Orquesta Chakchouka

  • 1989 Glasgow International Jazz Festival
  • 1989 WOMAD World of Music, Arts and Dance

Bill Summers

  • "Bill Summers" "Hands Across America" 1986 The Bagley Wright Theatre. . .


Leif Totusek with more artist & bands...
Eddie Edem International High-life band - Gasper Lawal "Oro Band" - Coolbeats - Nomatics - (London England) - Martin Totusek MTQ - J.R Rhodes - Blowtallica - Alice Stuart - Yoka Enzenza - Dave Palmer Quartet - Boom Bah Blues - African All Stars - Jimmy Free "Friends" - Loose Caboose - J.R. Rhodes - Paul Benoit - JJ Sutton - Bigelow Culpepper - Kent Stevenson - Bob Moses- Bobby Previte - Sona Jobarteh - Cat back 5 - Critters Buggin - John Baker Saunders - Tor Dietrichson "Blues Machine" - Faith Beattie - Victor Januez Band - Thione Diop Group - Anyu - Dan Bonow "Unko Funki" - Jessica Lurie Ebsemble - Skerik "Left for Dead" - Peter Ross "Mystic Caravan" - Jim O'Halloran - "Chela" - Barrett Martin "Tuatara" - Alex Kajumulo - Lamar Lofton Trio - Jovino Santos Neto - Victor Lewis Rashid Band - Won-Ldy Paye "Village Drum and Masquerade" - Don Glenn Seattle Peace Concerts - Vernon Martin - Shirley Lewis - Bola Abimbola "Ara Kenge" - Alpha Yaya Diallo - Overton Berry - David Buhler - Santos Ensemble - Bassackwards - M'bilia Bel - Matt Chamberlain - Wayne Horvitz - Michael White - Duffy Bishop - Eckaman & Super Mokako Band - Deepak Ram - Konbit Mizik - Wyclef Jean - Justin Adams - Reggie Watts - Michael Shrieve - Dumisani Maraire - Jim Knapp - Julian Priester - Mark Sandman - Chuck Metcalf - Lee Oskar - Obo Addy - Mambo Cadillac - Kultur Shock - Jojo Kuo - Koo Nimo - Grant Green JR - Garth Hudson - Chief I.K. Dairo - Nurudafina Pili Abena - Matt Chamberlain - Roger Fisher (guitarist) - Jerry Miller, Backstage Robert Plant - L'Orchestre Afrisa International... TBC ...

Newspaper articles and Radio Reviews

Leif Totusek: other reviews: London jazz Cafe - Elijah Wald - Paul de barros - James Kirchmer - Boston Music Awards - City Limits - Earshot Jazz - Norman Weinstein Monitor Radio

References

CONTACT

Leif Totusek Management Co.

206.323.1139

4216 Sunnyside Ave N, Seattle, WA 98103

freestylecandela@yahoo.com

CANDELA AVENUE STUDIOS
© 2021 Leif Totusek. All rights reserved.