Biography

jakeblues

J. Leggio has a musical background going back to piano lessons at age 8. Steeped in the classics, he studied classical organ in his early teens, sometimes acting as substitute organist at the venerable Sacred Heart Cathedral in Dallas, Texas. All this might have been more than enough, had it not been for the deep affection for big band standards and swing music his father and mother had instilled in him. After studying and working in stagecraft at Richland College, J. became a regular member and assistant director for the Red Wind Community Arts Theater in Dallas. In 1978 he co-produced the first Dallas stage production of “THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW” at the Dallas Convention Center. In 1979, he turned in a critically acclaimed performance as “Longshoe Murphy” in Miguel Pinero’s play “SHORT EYES”, while performing in Shakespeare’s “MERCHANT OF VENICE” that same season.

Completing a stint as a graphic artist from 1980 to 1982 (plus technical director of the State Fair Of Texas attraction “Haunted Lavin Manor”), J.W. decided to combine his two loves - theater and music - and founded THE BRIEFCASE BLUES BAND in the summer of 1983. J.W. has also appeared in numerous television commercials & corporate films, as well as character-voice work for radio. Recently he has worked on “WALKER, TEXAS RANGER: TRIAL BY FIRE” (FOX 2005) “A HOUSE DIVIDED” (ABC 2006) and acted as a stand-in on Fox Television’s current hit-series “PRISON BREAK” (2nd and 3rd seasons, 2006-2007).

Lee Schwing was born in Newfoundland and raised as an Army “brat”, traveling all over the world before he was a teenager. Growing up Lee tried all the normal instruments like guitar and piano, but just couldn’t find the sound that was right for him. Then, at his high school graduation dance, he got his first taste of live harmonica from the dance band of the evening – CANNED HEAT, featuring founder and leadman Bob “ the Bear “ Hite! The next day, Lee bought his first harp and with an armful of all the harmonica albums in Anchorage, Alaska and much to the dismay of his military dad, started to learn to play .In the years that followed, Lee played in every Jam and open mike he could find no matter where he lived, from gentle sounds of Country Blues in Alaska and Michigan to the Heavy Moaning Wail in Chicago, Lee honed his craft.

Wanting a new sound, Lee moved to Texas in 1978 and began to learn the Texas Style in every bar and dive he could play in. On a tip from Rodney Wall, sometime-guitarist for the BELLAMY BROTHERS, Lee answered a potentially dangerous advertisement in the Dallas Times Herald that read “Jake Is Looking For Elwood”. Lee answered that ad – met J. W. (Who had placed the ad) – And the rest is blues history, as they played their first gig together on September 24th 1983 and Lee has been "Elwood" to this day. Lee is also an active member of S.P.A.H. (The Society for the Preservation and Advancement of the Harmonica) and counts Lee Oskar of the famous funk-n-blues band WAR amongst his many friends.

elwoodblues

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