Naples-born, Peckham-based alt-jazz singer, songwriter and artist Leo Pesci and producer Jackson Mathod share their new single “Power Clash” featuring US rapper Moeazy. The track is a mid-tempo jazz-infused piece that is multi-layered and oozes an air of experimental motifs. It’s steeped in the realm of jazz with its rich chord progressions, sublime horn passes, soulful keys and pulsating bass-driven grooves. Leo sets the tone with his laidback and hushed melodic runs followed by Moeazy’s fiery raps that tackle the dynamics of making pure art in a world where the system just wants to categorize you as a social security number working a thankless and non-fulfilling 9 to 5. Moeazy doesn’t mince his words and shares his true feelings with much gusto backed by Leo’s heartfelt songwriting and soothing melodies to match.
“Power Clash” is the first single taken from Leo Pesci’s forthcoming LP, ‘Impolite’ which is inspired by the latest works of Los Angeles hip hop-jazz/soul artists and producers like Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, Thundercat and Kendrick Lamar.
Leo grew up in Naples, Italy in a family of musicians. His dad was a musician and his brother is Arlo Parks’ guitarist and the founder of ‘Patterns’, the famous East London weekly jam session at NTS. Leo started off playing piano and singing at secondary school, performing as a singer on cruise ships in his early 20s before relocating to London. “When I got to London I started playing with a few jazz bands, first doing traditional jazz (2018-2019) and then doing Leo Pesci’s project since 2020. Leo Pesci is actually a project that started during covid, together with my brother Dani. My first EP ‘Leo Pesci’ was written by me (music and lyrics) but entirely produced by him.”
Leo has been inspired throughout all his life by jazz, soul and hip hop music, and especially by the works of Roy Hargrove (who personally met at Village Vanguard in 2012), Terrace Martin, Robert Glasper, Yussef Dayes, Kendrick Lamar, Hiatus Kayiote, but also Pino Daniele, Kurt Elling, Freddie Hubbard, Jamiroquai and many others.
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