Jerry Leonide : Mauritius' little piano wonderboy.

Jerry was born in Mauritius in 1985. With the help of his father, a guitarist, he started teaching himself the piano from the age of 9.

He began playing professionally at an early age (14) by going through the motions, that is playing in various bands in the luxury hotels circuit, the usual professional network for musicians on the island.

© David GRIMBERT

He also began playing jazz during that period. While he was still playing with other jazz artists, he set his own trio up and recorded his first CD at 18.

With his A levels in his pocket, Jerry landed in France in 2004 to perfect his musical knowledge. He was swiflty spotted by numerous Afro-Jazz and Soul artists and musicians such as Hervé Lebongo, Conti Bilong, Crystal, Joby Smith, etc... He joined Paname Tropical and also played with belgian sax player Sylvain Luc.

He met Boney during a jam session, through Mauritian bass player Linley Marthe. Boney immediately sensed the young pianist's huge potential and offered him to join the Bone's Project whenever he could get the chance to. Jerry has now been the Bone's Project appointed keyboard player since September 2004.

Jerry's maturity, both on a musical and human levels, is striking for such a young musician (he's now 20). Whether he plays subtle Jazz piano or « to-the-bone » funk clavinet riffs, his dashing virtuosity is a wonder  to anyone who cares to listen. And this, notwithstanding the fact that the boy can also play bass, guitar and even a bit of drums. Surely, Jerry is bound to become one of the «Greats» in a very near future.