LeBron

Saxophonist Lebron Dennis (also known as Lebron) plays a soulful brand of instrumental R&B, jazz, and pop. Emerging in Phoenix in the 2010s, Lebron initially worked days as firefighter and paramedic while issuing albums like 2013's Shades and 2015's New Era.

Born in Mesa, Arizona, he grew up one of three brothers, the son of a dentist father and a nurse mother. Encouraged to play music from a young age, he took piano and guitar lessons for several years before picking up the saxophone in middle school. Initially, he wasn't interested in practicing. It was after his mom took him to see guitarist <a href="spotify:artist:00Nnsh2ykMBYnCDsSFGXSY">Earl Klugh</a> (whose band featured alto sax player <a href="spotify:artist:6dyX7fG5q89BjUvQlGbigA">Michael Paulo</a>) that he developed a passion for the instrument. He began practicing for hours a day, studying privately with the noted <a href="spotify:artist:1Mxqyy3pSjf8kZZL4QVxS0">Frank Sinatra</a> band saxophonist Hugh Lovelady. He excelled throughout his teen years, playing with his school concert band and wind ensemble, and even earned first chair in the Phoenix-area youth band Young Sounds of Arizona.

While music was his passion, Dennis took his father's advice after high school and studied pre-med at both Arizona and Oregon State Universities. He also continued to develop his sound, drawing upon artists including singers like <a href="spotify:artist:6k0IBR0lU42s2GYpNX7kA9">Brian McKnight</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:3wg6B0I3YwsARsBONWWAXL">Phil Perry</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:69k2JfIQxMpBbc1wtmHWZY">Will Downing</a>, as well as jazz icons like <a href="spotify:artist:6v2VjBVPcGVbBqJrUWYiG1">Kirk Whalum</a>, <a href="spotify:artist:05YVYeV4HxYp5rrWalvuE1">Grover Washington, Jr.</a>, and <a href="spotify:artist:3bhckpkRmz8mqONUceSutp">Gerald Albright</a>. Following graduation, he balanced his time between pursuing his musical career and working as a firefighter and paramedic. In 2013, he made his solo debut with Shades. Dennis returned two years later with New Era, which featured contributions from vocalist Keith Fluitt, trumpeter <a href="spotify:artist:4SVXSNL59kiSLgjwZeEfDg">Lin Rountree</a>, violinist Rachael Gehmlich, and others. His career took off and he eventually left his firefighting job behind. In 2019, he issued his third full-length album, Undeniable, which included the tracks "If Feels Different" and "Let Me Count," featuring vocalist <a href="spotify:artist:0fpbRBP5M0p58msRdRcmgk">Anthony Saunders</a>. ~ Matt Collar, Rovi