Leo was the "senior" of Germany’s Boogie Woogie pianists. His first encounter with Boogie Woogie was shortly after World War II. The American radio station AFN featured this music, and soon after, Leo met Manfred Roth, with whom he played Boogie at the piano. Through his position as sound engineer at the Westdeutscher Rundfunk radio station in Cologne, Leo had lots of chances to see Jazz and Blues greats perform live at the studio. These encounters influenced him musically. Already in 1964, he formed the band "Boogie Woogie Company", which exists until today. After leaving the band, he occasionally joined them as guest pianist. Since the 1970, he played many concerts with his friend Axel Zwingenberger. Leo’s quite unique piano style with influences of Bebop and Jazz provided an interesting contrast to the "classic" Boogie Woogie. Leo passed away in 2013 at the age of 80.
Featured @ The Hamburg Boogie Woogie Connection: 1988, 1996