The Band

LEO LEO

Julia 

Julia ‘Songbird’ Porché ♌ (lead vocals) is one of the Leos. They started out taking piano lessons from their grandma and listening to Aretha Franklin and Ethel Merman while practicing belting in the backyard. They sang all around their hometown of Chicago, eventually performing around the world. Julia’s deep love of gospel, soul, jazz, and musical theatre played a huge part in influencing them. Outside of Leo Leo, you can find them playing horn with Neon Brass Party, singing with The Dickens Carolers and making up silly songs with their partner, Micah. Julia can’t wait to see where Leo Leo takes them next and is so glad they get to enjoy the ride playing good music with great friends.

Lalo

Lalo ♌ (drums) is also one of the Leos. Originally from Mexico, he moved to Washington at the age of 19, fell in love with it and has been kicking it here since! He is a self-taught drummer and has played in a number of local bands until he played in a ‘pretty good’ band with Bruno Papi Salvatore (Michael), the love of his life. 😉 Lalo enjoys playing live music and drinking with the ones he loves.

Brian

Brian (vocals/keys) was born and raised in Indianapolis, but has lived in Seattle for most of their adult life. Despite having no formal music training, from a young age they’ve been picking up and making music on a variety of instruments, and we can’t seem to get him to stop. Brian has been performing with Julia, Khristy, and Michael in other groups for years, and is excited to bring the funk with the entire band! Charitably described as a “human jukebox” (and uncharitably as a “harmony junkie”), Brian will stop at nothing to produce goosebump-inducing vocal lines that will keep you coming back for more. 

Khristy

Khristy (vocals) is a Washington native who got her start as a classically trained opera singer. When she’s not singing with Leo Leo she is performing with the opera company she founded, Olympia Opera Theatre. Blending the elegance of classical style with a deep passion for jazz, blues, and funk. She has carved a unique niche fusing her diverse influences into a soulful sound. Khristy met Julia (vocals) and Brian (vocals) singing with The Dickens Carolers and the three of them have been good friends since.

Michael

Can’t have funk without a bass! Michael is one of the founders of Leo Leo. He grew up in a very musical family and has been playing piano since he was a kid. This eventually led him to pick up the bass, which he has been playing for over a decade now. When he found the music of Jamiroquai, it was game over. Starting in college, he played in a number of bands until the day he joined a ‘pretty good’ band where he met Lalo (drums) and they have been happily married since. 😉

Nick

Nick (guitar) is originally from North Carolina and has lived in GA, SC, and IL before coming to Seattle in summer 2023. He has played guitar for over 20 years, and is a blues guitarist at heart. He unlocked his funk skills in a high school cover band where he played guitar on tunes by Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson, and Prince.