Artists

Artist Profile

DeLeon

DeLeon
Contact

Booking: Anthony Paolercio @ The Agency Group

Publicity: Emily Goldsher @ JDub Records

Label: Aaron Bisman @ JDub Records

Management: Jacob Harris @ JDub Records

Links
 

DeLeon plays 15th Century Spanish indie rock infused with the deeply mysterious and entrancing cadences of the ancient Sephardic  tradition. 

DeLeon’s intricate sound has been a long time in the making.  Their music, birthed in Spain before the Inquisition and raised in pre-WWII Italy, has finally reached maturity in modern-day Brooklyn. The band, named for 12th Century Kabalistic philosopher Moses Deleon  and front man Daniel Saks’ great-grandfather Giorgio Deleon, was conceived to reconcile Saks’ cultural journey with modern influences. By re-imagining these ancient melodies as contemporary pieces, DeLeon has given the world at large a unique chance to experience the rich musical history of Sephardic Judaism. 

Anxious to show the world the newest trick up his talented sleeve, Saks officially began DeLeon’s journey last April at the Bowery Ballroom where they played their first show alongside Balkan Beat Box.  Since then, DeLeon has been very busy.  They have been invited to tour with Ozomatli, Balkan Beat Box and Mike Gordon.  DeLeon also showcased much of their new material at JDub Records’ 5th Anniversary show at Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park. Their much-anticipated self-titled album was released August 12th, 2008 on JDub Records.

DeLeon’s groundbreaking sound is as rare as the process that created it.  Saks, along with band mates Kevin Snider, Justin Riddle, Amy Crawford and Andrew Oom, pioneered this form, one that marries ancient Sephardic melodies sung in Ladino, Hebrew and English with the chaotic symphony of urban living. 

PRESS:

"It's an arcane but refreshing alchemy - sometimes brooding and lovelorn, sometimes joyous and danceable."
- Brad Frenette, National Post

"At times rocking the Casbah ("La Serena"), sometimes channeling David Byrne ("Almond Trees"), and sometimes just wonderfully weird ("La Vida Do Por El Raki"), this is one band to behold."
- Toph One, XLR8R

"A genuinely novel record, full of intriguing concoctions and diverse instrumentation, and is a breath of fresh air"
- Adi Anand, Austinist

"Time to put on your sombrero...Deleon combines the intrigue of older, 15th century Spanish music with the flare of modern independent rock." - I Guess I'm Floating

 

Wordpress link

Latest_news

What We Did With Our Winter Vacation

Well, we’re back from vacation, and it’s time to catch you all up on what you might have missed over the break.  Here ya’ go:

  • Made Up Disease (MUD) posted a really nice and very thorough ode to JDub, including a whole bunch of our artists, like The Macaroons and Balkan Beat Box.

Last but not least, I’ve posted more photos from Jewltide 7 under the cut!  All credit goes to Dan Sieradski.

DeLeon @ Sephardic Music Festival

Here is some footage from DeLeon’s performance at the Knitting Factory during the Sephardic Music Festival.  If you’re in New York, you can also check out Dan from DeLeon performing 1 night only with Dan Saks & The Funkadeli All Stars at JDub & Jewcy’s XMAS Eve Jewltide party. Details Here

Happy Hanukkah from DeLeon

The DeLeon CD and T-shirt are on sale in the JDub store.

Funk Yeah, It’s Jewltide 7!

We’re back with our 7th annual XMas Eve Jewltide party and this year promises to be the funkiest!! It’s going down at Southpaw in Park Slope on December 24th, boasting a fresh set of funk classics by Dan Saks (of DeLeon) & The Funkadeli All-Stars and funky rock n soul beats spun all night  courtesy of New York Night Train’s Mr. Jonathan Toubin.

JDub Records & Jewcy Present: Jewltide 7
Thursday, December 24th (Christmas Eve)
@ Southpaw (125 5th Ave)

Featuring:
Dan Saks & The Funkadeli All-Stars
New York Night Train’s Mr. Jonathan Toubin

$10 Advance / $15 at the door (ticketweb.com)
Donuts & Drink Specials!
Doors 8 pm / Show 9 pm

If you don’t have a tree, you don’t have an excuse.

Co-Sponsored by Brooklyn Vegan, Jewish Book Council, and Brooklyn Jews

I’ll Spook You With My Organ This Halloween

I hope you will join me (Daniel of DeLeon) this Halloween at Union Hall in Brooklyn with the spookiest man I know, Tim Fite.  I’ll be supplying the eerie organ behind his terrible tales.  I’ve seen the show.  You will laugh, you will dance, you will be horrified.  A message from Tim Fite:

Hello everybody,
It’s that time of year again!!! When the diabetics rise up from their Craft-Matic beds and crawl through the neighborhood begging for treats. That’s right kiddos… it’s October, and Halloween is on it’s way. This means three things for you to note on your calendar.

1. I will be releasing the final album of my free Halloween trilogy on the 31st.
2. I will be celebrating the BLOOD HARVEST with all who care to join me at the Union Hall in Brooklyn, NY on the 31st.
3. I will be digging a very small grave on the 31st.

Of these three things, the most pressing for you is the show at the Union Hall which is shaping up to be a magical night. I will be playing all of the goriest hits from my Halloween albums accompanied by the (blood soaked) [Daniel of DeLeon]. Via Audio will dress up and play their lovely songs under the shadow of cornstalks. BUT, Halloween at the Union Hall is about more than just music. There will be pumpkins to carve, pinatas to smash, apples to bob for (possibly in beer), a costume exchange booth for switching costumes with a friend, hayrides, and a myriad of other spooky treats. DON’T MISS THIS ONE!

For those of you who live far away, get on your broomsticks, and come anyway!!!

I like it raw,
Tim Fite

Video

  • Cruisin'

    Cruisin'

  • Rahelika Baila

    Rahelika Baila

  • DeLeon at JDub's 5th Anniversary Concert

    DeLeon at JDub's 5th Anniversary Concert

  • La Serena

    La Serena

Photos

  • Matador
  • DeLeon at Southpaw

Web Banners

  • DeLeon 728x90
  • DeLeon 300x250
  • Rooftop Roots Volume IV

    Rooftop Roots Volume IV

    A JDub Mixtape (v/a)

    2008

  • DeLeon

    DeLeon

    15th Century Spanish indie rock

    2008

  • JDub Presents Jewltide

    JDub Presents Jewltide

    2008

  • Rooftop Roots Volume III

    Rooftop Roots Volume III

    A JDub Mixtape - (v/a)

    2007

  • Feb 20

    DeLeon

    Location: New York, NY

    Venue: Arlene's Grocery

Artist Music

Latest News

The Wailing Wall Has 2 Brooklyn Shows This Week!

Our dear friend The Wailing Wall has 2 shows in Brooklyn this week, one tonight and one on Thursday.  Check ‘em out:
TONIGHT (2/8) @ Death By Audio
8PM / ALL AGES
The Wailing Wall (full band), Horse’s Mouth, Your Nature, Blastoff!
Thursday (2/11) @ Bar Matchless
7PM/ FREE
Vol. 1 Brooklyn & Gigantic Present: Greatest Three-Minute Rock N’ Roll Story [...]

The Jewnas Brothers

Thanks to Heeb for tipping me off to The Moshiach Times Band, a group of teenybopper hunks out of Miami.  Look at that skinny jean/Tzitzit combo!

JDub Newsletter

Sign up now to receive free JDUB updates in your inbox

Sign up now to receive free JDUB updates in your inbox