Having done a multitude of session work for many other artists and productions over the years super session musicians guitarist Tom Ferris and bassist Leon Gaer turned their considerable talents to creating their own project -- titled ‘Declassified’.
Both Tom and Leon started out being taught classical music as children. The recordings for the album project involved taking a variety of classical compositions and doing exciting & diverse new arrangements. The development of this project occurred over several years in between other engagements and the availability of fellow session players to contribute the many ingredients that made up the sessions.
The complexity of the work and the availability of the fellow players limited what Tom and Leon could do in terms of performing and promoting the album when first realised.
In this day and age, as music consumption moves more and more to streaming and the selection of individual songs and compositions, it was decided to feature single pieces from the original project and present them in a new way..
Both Tom and Leon started out being taught classical music as children. The recordings for the album project involved taking a variety of classical compositions and doing exciting & diverse new arrangements. The development of this project occurred over several years in between other engagements and the availability of fellow session players to contribute the many ingredients that made up the sessions.
The complexity of the work and the availability of the fellow players limited what Tom and Leon could do in terms of performing and promoting the album when first realised.
In this day and age, as music consumption moves more and more to streaming and the selection of individual songs and compositions, it was decided to feature single pieces from the original project and present them in a new way..
LEON GAER
Originally from Los Angeles, California, an interest in all styles of music led Leon to be a member of a working Latin Band (on electric bass) as well as a member of the American Youth Symphony Orchestra conducted by Mehli Mehta (on double bass) at the age of 18. Leon joined the Don Ellis big band in 1977 and became fascinated with Don’s odd time compositions. Also in that same year, Leon became a member of Don Randi’s house band at the Los Angeles jazz club “The Baked Potato” playing a very new instrument – Synthesized Electric Bass (synthesizers triggered by an electric bass). This system was the first of its kind in the world, built for Leon by its inventor Bob Easton of 360 Systems.
Leon then went on to record with Gino Vannelli on ‘Brother To Brother’ that went platinum (over one million units sold) in the US and launched Leon’s recording career with: Barry Manilow’s Gold Albums ‘Here Comes The Night’ and ‘A Touch Of Magic’; and José Feliciano’s Grammy nominated album ‘Escenas De Amor’.
Leon has recorded with – Gino Vannelli ; José Feliciano; Barry Manilow; Barry White; The Stylistics; Tommy Emmanuel; Amy Dickson; Chad Wackerman Group; Demis Roussos; De Barge; Krokus; Maria Muldaur; Jason and the Scorchers; Debbie Boone; Cynthia Clausen; Pat Boone; Rolf Harris; Barry McGuire; Don Ellis; Boy Meets Girl; Sadao Watanabe; The Surf Punks; 2nd Chapter of Acts; Jamie Owens; Louie Shelton; Sonny Rollins; Phil Keaggy; Doc Severinsen; Jeff Tyzik; Allen Vizzutti; Reg Lindsay; Jackie Love; Simon Gallaher; Slim Dusty; Rick Price & Margaret Urlich; Doug Parkinson; Gallarrwuy Yunupingu, and the Sydney Symphony (Symphony of Australia).
TV SHOWS - Hanna-Barbera Cartoons; The Johnny Carson Show; National American Jingles; Moonlighting; The Joan Rivers Show; Star Search; Home & Away; Wildside; HG & Roy’s Club Buggery.
The short version: Leon Gaer, originally from Los Angeles, now living in Sydney, has played bass on over 1,000 recording sessions in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, and Sydney including: Gino Vannelli, Barry Manilow, José Feliciano, Barry White, Don Ellis, The Chad Wackerman Group, Amy Dickson, Tommy Emmanuel, Maria Muldaur, and Gallarrwuy Yunupingu.
The Truthful version: Leon Gaer is an overweight, ageing bass player from Los Angeles, who is depressed about the daily hair loss he experiences. He hates camping, and his idea of "roughing it" is Netflix Standard Definition. His friends think he is considering becoming an astronaut, because each day, he spends many hours sitting around his house, just "taking up space." His team of psychotherapists recommended that he get involved in a project of some kind. This is the reason Leon has become involved with fellow crazy guy Tom Ferris on this project.
Leon then went on to record with Gino Vannelli on ‘Brother To Brother’ that went platinum (over one million units sold) in the US and launched Leon’s recording career with: Barry Manilow’s Gold Albums ‘Here Comes The Night’ and ‘A Touch Of Magic’; and José Feliciano’s Grammy nominated album ‘Escenas De Amor’.
Leon has recorded with – Gino Vannelli ; José Feliciano; Barry Manilow; Barry White; The Stylistics; Tommy Emmanuel; Amy Dickson; Chad Wackerman Group; Demis Roussos; De Barge; Krokus; Maria Muldaur; Jason and the Scorchers; Debbie Boone; Cynthia Clausen; Pat Boone; Rolf Harris; Barry McGuire; Don Ellis; Boy Meets Girl; Sadao Watanabe; The Surf Punks; 2nd Chapter of Acts; Jamie Owens; Louie Shelton; Sonny Rollins; Phil Keaggy; Doc Severinsen; Jeff Tyzik; Allen Vizzutti; Reg Lindsay; Jackie Love; Simon Gallaher; Slim Dusty; Rick Price & Margaret Urlich; Doug Parkinson; Gallarrwuy Yunupingu, and the Sydney Symphony (Symphony of Australia).
TV SHOWS - Hanna-Barbera Cartoons; The Johnny Carson Show; National American Jingles; Moonlighting; The Joan Rivers Show; Star Search; Home & Away; Wildside; HG & Roy’s Club Buggery.
The short version: Leon Gaer, originally from Los Angeles, now living in Sydney, has played bass on over 1,000 recording sessions in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, and Sydney including: Gino Vannelli, Barry Manilow, José Feliciano, Barry White, Don Ellis, The Chad Wackerman Group, Amy Dickson, Tommy Emmanuel, Maria Muldaur, and Gallarrwuy Yunupingu.
The Truthful version: Leon Gaer is an overweight, ageing bass player from Los Angeles, who is depressed about the daily hair loss he experiences. He hates camping, and his idea of "roughing it" is Netflix Standard Definition. His friends think he is considering becoming an astronaut, because each day, he spends many hours sitting around his house, just "taking up space." His team of psychotherapists recommended that he get involved in a project of some kind. This is the reason Leon has become involved with fellow crazy guy Tom Ferris on this project.
TOM FERRIS
Composer, producer, arranger and guitarist.
Growing up in Sydney during the 1960’s Tom learnt classical guitar from the age of 8 and as a teenager listened to The Beatles, Hank Marvin of The Shadows and other pop acts of the era.
Tom later discovered jazz in his early 20s as he became a much in demand session musician with lots of touring and session work coming his way.
Australian artists Tom has either recorded with and or toured with include Tina Arena, Darryl Braithwaite, Jimmy Barnes, Julie Anthony, Troy Cassar Daley, Anthony Warlow, Slim Dusty, Kate Ceberano, Melinda Schneider, Bachelor Girl, Angry Anderson, Ross Wilson, Billy Thorpe, Normie Rowe, John Farnham and Lee Kernigan.
Tom has also performed as a sideman for many of these artists as well as international artists including: Josh Groban, Sir Tim Rice, Katherine Jenkins, David Essex, John Denver, Garth Brooks, Petula Clark, Janis Ian, Cilla Black, Gene Pitney, Russel Watson, Trisha Yearwood, Engelbert Humperdink, Matt Monroe, Lupita Nyongo, Helmut Lotti and Elaine Paige.
Tom has also fronted his own band performing original material on many occasions. One of Tom’s original works “Tom’s Chill” - recorded for a guitar album titled Waxhead became a favourite on ABC radio playlists.
Growing up in Sydney during the 1960’s Tom learnt classical guitar from the age of 8 and as a teenager listened to The Beatles, Hank Marvin of The Shadows and other pop acts of the era.
Tom later discovered jazz in his early 20s as he became a much in demand session musician with lots of touring and session work coming his way.
Australian artists Tom has either recorded with and or toured with include Tina Arena, Darryl Braithwaite, Jimmy Barnes, Julie Anthony, Troy Cassar Daley, Anthony Warlow, Slim Dusty, Kate Ceberano, Melinda Schneider, Bachelor Girl, Angry Anderson, Ross Wilson, Billy Thorpe, Normie Rowe, John Farnham and Lee Kernigan.
Tom has also performed as a sideman for many of these artists as well as international artists including: Josh Groban, Sir Tim Rice, Katherine Jenkins, David Essex, John Denver, Garth Brooks, Petula Clark, Janis Ian, Cilla Black, Gene Pitney, Russel Watson, Trisha Yearwood, Engelbert Humperdink, Matt Monroe, Lupita Nyongo, Helmut Lotti and Elaine Paige.
Tom has also fronted his own band performing original material on many occasions. One of Tom’s original works “Tom’s Chill” - recorded for a guitar album titled Waxhead became a favourite on ABC radio playlists.
