Leslie Mandoki is perhaps the most successful prog/jazz rock musician/catalyst you have never heard of. In 1991, Ian Anderson, Jack Bruce, and Al Di Meola became founding members of his band project Mandoki Soulmates and for almost three decades, Leslie Mandoki has continued to unite a “who is who” of the icons of Anglo-American and European rock and jazz-rock in the Mandoki Soulmates band. The lineup of additional musicians who have contributed to his newest project “Utopia for Realists” is astounding: John Helliwell (Supertramp), Nick van Eede (Cutting Crew), Till Brönner, Jesse Siebenberg (Supertramp), Cory Henry, Mike Stern, Randy Brecker, Bill Evans, Richard Bona, Tony Carey, Bobby Kimball (TOTO), David Clayton-Thomas (Blood, Sweat & Tears), Chris Thompson (Manfred Mann’s Earth Band), Steve Bailey, and Julia Mandoki.
In this brand new video interview, Sonic Perspectives correspondent Scott Medina talks with Mandoki about the incredible story of his musical career, why he is so renown around the world except for America, and what is behind his latest creation “Utopia for Realists”. We also touch on the global streaming event happening January 15th which will broadcast their electrifying open-air concert performance from Budapest in August 2021.
Watch the YouTube video of their chat below and make sure to follow Sonic Perspectives on Facebook, Flipboard and Twitter and subscribe to our YouTube channel to be notified about new interviews and contents we publish on a daily basis.
Mandoki Soulmates streaming event is this Saturday the 15th: Facebook event | Free stream on YouTube
