LEONARDO "LENNY" WATKINS
Detroit born and bred blues and soul singer Leonardo "Lenny" Watkins is certainly a jewel in the crown of the current Detroit blues scene. He is a keeper of a proud tradition of a musical city that has spawned the likes of John Lee Hooker, Little Willie John and Jackie Wilson, among so many talented others. Whether it's a back alley blues, sweet southern soul or uptempo and decidedly urban -- Watkins is equally at home and delivers. A superb vocalist and consummate entertainer, Watkins gets house. He's opened for Etta James at the House of Blues in LA and Chicago, and other venues - including a great performance at Buddy Guy's Legends. He's also worked with Bobby Rush, Detroit guitar ace Johnnie Bassett, and Motown session whiz and arranger Rudy Robinson. The now deceased Rudy Robinson was nothing short of a musical guru in Detroit and encouraged Lenny early on.

Growing up, he listened to the classic soul artists such as Otis Redding, Wilson Pickett and Johnnie Taylor. Later,a friend's mom exposed him to Bobby 'Blue' Bland and Lenny was hooked. Watkins played in a band in his high school and played varsity football as a fullback. After a stint in the Navy as a Gunner's Mate, Lenny moved to Los Angeles where he met and worked with such blues luminaries as Monk Higgins, William Clark, and Bernie Pearl. He also secured a gig at Marla Gibbs' Memory Lane with the house band and where Watkins worked with a talented young guitarist and singer named Kevin Moore - who would later become Keb' Mo.

Eventually, Lenny moved back to Detroit where he met Bobby Murray and the two have recorded and worked together ever since, Make no mistake, underneath Lenny's leading man looks, and easy manner - lies the soul of a working man's blues singer. So enjoy another musical gift from Detroit, Lenny Watkins.

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