Leon Foster Thomas, with special guest Grammy-Winning artist Mino Cinelu, perform at Arts Garage.

Having performed for audiences worldwide, award-winning musician Leon Foster Thomas is a unique force in modern jazz. The New York Amsterdam News has described his playing as “riveting, his artistry as unrivaled and his stage personality as dominant.” His virtuosic playing of the Steel Pan has enabled him to connect emotionally with the listener on every level. This World Steelband Music Festival Soloist and Duet Champion of 2002 and 2004, has worked with artist such as: Melton Mustafa, Nathan Davis, James Moody, Richard Smallwood, Hugh Masekela, Kevin Mahogany, Nicole Henry, Abraham Laboriel, Sammy Figueroa, Igor Butman, Len Boogsie Sharpe, Ken Professor Philmore, Ray Holman, Dolly Parton, Cyril Neville, Slinger Francisco Mighty Sparrow, 3 Canal, Etienne Charles, Winston Bailey Mighty Shadow, David Rudder, Richard Bailey, and James Polk, to name a few.


Legend is an understatement. Sit with master-of-all-trades Mino Cinélu in any café and more likely than not, a record will come on that he’s played on. Sting, Miles Davis, Weather Report, Herbie Hancock, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Wonder, Lou Reed, Marcus Miller, Bonnie Raitt, Elton John, Pat Metheny, Taylor Dane, Branford Marsalis, Kenny Barron, Jen-Luc Ponty, Toots Thielemans, Al Di Meola, and Cassandra Wilson are just a tiny selection of the international pop and jazz stars that Mino has worked with. He has played at major jazz festivals, such as Montreux, Berks, Blue Note, Atlanta, and many more. Whether playing percussion, drums, bass, guitar, keyboards, or singing, Mino brings his signature infectious personality full of warmth and joie de vivre, coupled with decades of intense study in a wide variety of styles from around the world — from the streets of Paris to the Mississippi delta to the Caribbean island of Martinique. He’s equally comfortable being the consummate accompanist as being the center of attention, and can command an extensive ensemble as well as performing his own breathtaking one-man-band show.

“Leon Foster Thomas grew up around music and the arts. His father made sure of it. The steel pan drummer puts his San Fernando, Trinidad roots into the jazz he plays, to produce a lively new fusion.”
- Examiner.com

“He is one of the most dynamic talents out of the Caribbean. Hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, Leon “Foster” Thomas has already left an indelible mark in the music arena as a performer, recording artist and songwriter.”
-When Steel Talks

“The sound of steel pans seems to surface at beaches and poolside bars more often than jazz clubs, but that doesn’t mean that these sunny-sounding metal melody makers aren’t welcome or cut out for the jazz life.”
- All About Jazz

“Mino can make anybody dance.”
-Sting 

"With Mino, any music swings”
-Miles Davis

 "He is one of the most dynamic talents out of the Caribbean. Hailing from Trinidad and Tobago, Leon “Foster” Thomas has already left an indelible mark in the music arena as a performer, recording artist and songwriter." 
-When Steel Talks