US singer at Troubadour

Troubadour Folk Club is hosting US singer and songwriter Sam Leopold on Friday, July 11, at 8pm at Woy Woy CWA hall, opposite Fisherman's Wharf.

Born in Philadelphia, in 1948, raised in Chicago. Sam at age 14, began writing songs out of an interest in music and poetry.

In 1972 Sam signed with Mercury Records and produced the album, "Sam Leopold", which Billboard Magazine called "original, dynamic and energized".

Touring, he played concerts and music clubs on bills with country acts Emilu Harris and Vasser Clemens, folk singers Harry Chapin and Pete Seeger, blues singers Bonnie Raitt, Lightnin' Hopkins, and other acts including jazz artist Charles Mingus and guitar stylist Leo Kotke.

After three albums, Sam left performing and spent several years in the corporate world of CBS, in New York City, working as a writer and composer, and as founding editor and writer with "Biography Magazine".

Sam then discovered Steiner Schools.

In 1999, he and his wife moved to Japan to help establishing a Steiner school and teacher training programs. For three years, he performed in the nightclubs of Sapporo.

The plight of Japanese teenagers struggling with cultural changes happening with unprecedented speed and magnitude gave him a picture of the world's youth and the issues they face.

"Song writing with Young People" was founded at the Hokkaido International School to help them understand and work creatively with these issues.

Last year, he moved to Australia where he has been writing songs for recording artists, performing in concerts, clubs and festivals, and giving workshops in high schools.

Sam performed at the recent at St Albans Folk Festival, as well as giving a youth song writing workshop.

Sam will be returning to the US in October.

Tickets are $8 at the door, which includes supper.

Floorspots are available.

With inquiries, telephone Frank on 4341 4060 or 0417 456 929 or email frussell@fastlink.com.au.

Press release, June 27