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Pianist Laura Leon

Long Island Music Hall of Fame 2012 Red Carpet Gala honors Leo Kraft

copy Karen Leon
Leo Kraft was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame at its Fourth Induction Award Ceremony and Gala on October 18, 2012 at The Paramount in Huntington, N.Y. Leo received his award as a distinguished American classical composer, alongside the evening's other honorees--pioneers in pop, rock, hip-hop, music education, entertainment and the recording industry--all with Long Island connections.

Along with Leo, inductees included Hip-Hop's Salt-n-Pepa, singer Taylor Dayne, Twisted Sisters' Dee Snider (the Harry Chapin Award receipient), members of the 1960's The Lovin' Spoonful, singer Connie Francis, Jones Beach Theater, and recording industry's Ron Alexenburg.  During his acceptance speech, Leo thanked the LIMHoF for honoring and including concert music.

This occasion comes in the midst of Leo's 90th birthday year celebration, which has also been honored by Karen Leon's New York City Surprisal of the Blackbirds. A short film created and produced by Karen, it captured a surprise migration of blackbirds in NYC, featuring Leo's music as the fantastical soundtrack--a brilliant complement and counterpoint to the film.
 
The soundtrack features movements from Venetian Reflections, performed by pianist Morey Ritt; movements from Cape Cod Sketches with flutist Jayn Rosenfeld, violinist Curtis Macomber, violist Lois Martin, cellist Christopher Finckel; Arietta from Partita No. 1, recorded on my Preludes to Passion CD and At Evening from Music For A Day: 8 Short, Play-full Pieces for Piano, recorded specially for the film .  

To see Karen's film and hear Leo's music, please visit:  www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr6hkToePuI
 
Congratulations, Leo!                                           

                                                                                                                                                              Photo credit: Karen Leon