music

If it involves music, Les Blachut has probably done it. Piano, organ, electronic keyboards, trumpet, drums, percussion, MiDi expert, soloist, accompanist, teacher, church musical director, music librarian, producer, composer, arranger, lyricists, competition judge, jazz combo, big-band, classical ensemble, pop group, solo act, metal rock, ethnic folk group, outer-space music, etc. etc.

Les was born in Poland and came to the United States in 1989. He got his Masters Degree in music from Berklee College of Music in Boston, studying vibes with jazz giant Gary Burton and music education with Broadway wizard Wayne Ward. His credits since then are long: regional productions of Broadway shows with the Turtle Lane Playhouse and (now defunct) European Institute of Music & Dance. Shared a stage with jazz pop diva Basia, a fellow Pole. Toured Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, Germany, Switzerland, France, Canada, and the Caribbean Islands with various music groups represented by the Sony-Europe Entertainment Group. Sat in with several internationally recognized ethnic-music ensembles, such as the Miami World Percussion Orchestra. Appeared in NYC's "Fireplace" and "Sweet & Low", Boston's "Irish Embassy" and "Ryles", Atlantic City's "Caesar Casino" and headlined Orlando's grand opening of "Blue Martini".

His knowledge of music history landed him a position of an assistant to the director at Berklee's Stan Getz Library and an exclusive contract to direct a weekly broadcast of music interviews for the WUNR radio station.

His piano trio supported one of the oldest and most imitated groups in the history of show-business: the Ink Spots. Les is an active member of the Boston Microtonal Society and the American Musicians Union. For many years Les has been consistently lending his expertise to the US Songwriting Competition and the Billboard Songwriting Competition.

He often accompanies world-class vocalists, such as Raquel Williams, Terri Gonzalez, and Dawn Mitchell. Les's name can be found in the on-line Database of Vibraphone Players, List of Jazz Musicians from Poland, and Profiles of Independent Jazz Musicians.

Les came to South Florida in 1996. He immediately joined two distinctive bands: the Jazz Survivors and Blues Therapy. They recently performed an opening act for Al Jarreau at the Miami Music Fest and Tavis Smiley Presents... . aired nationally on C-SPAN TV.

In 1999 Les established the Liturgical Music Organization, the publisher of his increasingly popular composition "Mass at Sunrise". He also directs the music at Saint George Church in Fort Lauderdale, teaches music at Saint Jude School in Boca Raton and North Broward Preparatory School, is involved in the development of Piano Showcase, Inc., sits in with some better known local big-bands, steel bands, and forums of experimental music. Les occasionally lectures at the Miami School of Audio Engineering and Broward Community College.

The music of Les Blachut and his associates is well represented on record and in print.