Trombone and Cello Artist Dana Leong

Published: Feb. 15, 2007, 10 p.m.

b'Dana Leong is a prodigious anomaly of the highest order. By the age of 8, Dana was already performing and competing internationally on the cello and trombone. When Dana won an audition to perform with the 1997 and 1998 Grammy High School All Stars and Boys II Men, he was introduced to Will Smith, Gwen Stefani and Diddy. "After seeing the magnitude of New York City and the wonderful impact these artists had, I wanted to be a musician for life," he says. \\n\\nSince his entrance into New York City in 1998, Dana has been sprinting steadily through the ranks of the music scene. At the ripe age of 25, Dana has held roles as a performer on stage and in the studio as well as a composer and producer with top performers in almost every musical genre such as: The 2006 Grammy Nominated Jazz Chamber Trio led by Paquito D\'Rivera (where Leong now fills a chair frequented by Yo-Yo Ma,) Ray Charles, Diddy, Kanye West, Matisyahu, Norah Jones, Earth Wind and Fire, Barry White, Erykah Badu, Talib Kweli, Lauryn Hill, Alanis Morrisette, Zap Mamma, Wynton Marsalis, Yoko Ono, Boyz II Men at the 40th Annual Grammy Awards, Dark Latin Groove at Shea Stadium NYC, Christian McBride and the Balkan Beat Box. He was also invited to perform at Bing Crosby\'s house. On screen, Dana has acted and performed on screen in a number of different settings such as Steven Spielberg\'s feature film "The Terminal," Robin Williams\'s "August Rush," NBC\'s "Law and Order," "The Today Show," and with The Roots "Live at Wetlands." Dana has even performed for fashion shows and high fashion events by Alexander Hercovitch and Dianne von Furstenberg. \\n\\nDana\'s sound is a fusion of computerized electronic hip-hop funk rhythms and rock propulsions. While playing the cello or trombone, Dana also uses his laptop onstage to integrate electronic soundscapes.'