Steven "Stevo" Leicach
Stevo about to offer a large workshop for international students at World Learning.
My good friend Stevo has been my biggest support for this website. He has tirelessly read and given editing advice for almost everything that I have posted here. I am grateful for his help.
Stevo and I met on our first day of college in 1979. Our lives have been closely intertwined ever since. I refer to Stevo as my housemate, simply because I don't know what other word to use to describe our relationship. We have lived together for most of our lives. We know each other as intimately as couples who have been married for a long time, but we have only been partners for about 10 of our early years together. Since 1995 I have been in a committed relationship with Denny. Denny is my life partner, but Stevo and I still remain unusually close friends. The dynamics between the 3 of us have been extremely harmonious for a long time now.
Stevo teaching a drumming class at Greenfield Community College
Stevo, (who I would call omnisexual even though he prefers not to be labeled) is in a committed relationship with a man who is a great fit for him. Robin is a writer, teacher, and an exceptionally kind and sensitive person. You can read more about Robin here.
Stevo is one of the most charismatic people that I know. He was voted most friendly in high school, and has never lost his gift for putting people at ease. He is an extraordinarily talented musician, artist, and teacher. His students rave about him being the best teacher they ever had – he really is that good!
Ideally, Stevo would have his own website, but we are folks who really haven't cared much for career ambition, marketing, and promotion. Up until now, we have been content to live quiet and relatively obscure lives. But since I finally pulled it together to do a website, I decided to compile the videos that highlight his work.
Stevo's music conveys an emotional sensitivity and reverence for life. He masterfully knows how to use music as a vehicle for healing, communication, and connection. He expresses himself beautifully and fluently on conga drums, balafon, djembe, talking drums, shekere, traditional Ewe barrel drums, thumb piano, harmonica, and bamboo flute. The videos compiled below feature him on conga drums, djembe, and shekere. I hope to film him playing other instruments, and post those here in the future.
Windspeed Media made this film of Stevo, Tony Vacca, and Derrik Jordan for their website.
Stevo starts drumming at 32 seconds. He trades drum solos at 2:18 and 4:10. He plays shekere starting at 3:25.
Steve Leicach and Tony Vacca Balafon Duet
This is a clip from “Caught in the Act” - a WGBY television production. It won an Iris Award and was aired numerous times on National TV during the late 90s. They are performing Mali Rock, a composition by Tony.
Two audio recordings of pieces that Stevo composed with other musicians
I composed the basic groove for this balafon duet, which is why it’s called Arena’s Groove. (Tony misspelled my name.) Stevo then composed two more sections and arranged the piece.
Waterfalls – Stevo and Derrik Jordan composed this piece together for Derrik's CD SuperString Theory. Stevo is playing balafon and Derrik is playing electric violin.
Four videos from a World Rhythms Ensemble and Gokh-bi Systems Performance
Oct 28, 2006 - The Academy of Music - Northampton, MA
Stevo has a conga drum solo at 2:40.
Stevo plays Shekere for the first 30 seconds.
Stevo solos on Djembe at 3:28.
Stevo solos on the Djembe at 3:56.
Stevo Performing with Lisa McCormick
Stevo performs a conga drum solo at the beginning of this video.
Video of Stevo Teaching Basic Drum Strokes
Stevo was really exhausted from a long day of work, when he was asked to teach something for this video recording at Omega Institute. He provides clear instruction, but his demeanor is not quite as warm and friendly as usual.
Performances of Stevo’s Beginning African Drumming Ensemble
at the Putney School, a private secondary school in Putney, VT.
In this video they play Kakilambe from Senegal, and Ibo and Yonvalu from Haiti.
The students perform a rendition of Juju arranged by Stevo, an original percussion composition by Kam (one of the students), and Econcon from Senegal.
A Few Other Links for Steve Leicach
Stevo's page at Omega Institute.
Stevo’s DVD: The Quick Guide to Djembe Drumming.
His bio at the Brattleboro Music Center
Stevo Leicach and Tony Vacca playing talking drums at an elementary school.