NYC · Reggae Soul · Est. 2014
Leon & The Peoples
AWARD-WINNING REGGAE SOUL BAND
#3
billboard hot
singles sales
10+
years performing
nationwide
38
city sold-out
tour
35+
film credits
(leon)
About
Leon & The Peoples
Over more than a decade of performing nationwide, Leon & The Peoples have built one of New York City’s most devoted followings. Furthermore, they have fused the heartbeat of reggae with the warmth of soul into a sound entirely their own. Led by multi-talented singer-songwriter, actor, and producer Leon, the band draws on world-class musical talent from across the globe. As a result, they deliver high-energy live performances that leave audiences transformed.
Their Music
Their second album, Love Is A Beautiful Thing, released on Spectra Music, made an immediate impact. The title track debuted at #3 on Billboard’s Hot Singles Sales chart. Additionally, the second single Beautiful followed by charting at #12. As a result, the record earned widespread national radio play and cemented the band’s place among reggae soul’s most exciting acts.
Recognition has followed every step of the journey. Most notably, the band received an International Reggae & World Music Award nomination for their debut album The Road Less Traveled. Furthermore, they took home the Best International Artists award at the prestigious Joe Higgs Reggae Awards.
On Stage
Leon & The Peoples have graced some of the most storied stages in the world. In 2021, they joined LL Cool J, Usher, and Alicia Keys as main stage acts on Tom Joyner’s Fantastic Voyage Cruise. Then in 2022, they co-headlined For The Children alongside legendary reggae band Third World at Sony Hall in Times Square. Beyond that, they completed a 38-city sold-out tour with reggae great Beres Hammond.
Their live résumé spans some of the world’s most iconic venues. In addition, they have performed at the Apollo Theater, New Orleans Music Fest, Aspen Jazz Fest, Reggae On The River, and the International Festival of Life in Chicago. They have also headlined Virginia’s Jazz On The Bluff, St. Albans Jazz & R&B Festival, and the 2016 and 2017 AIDS Walk NY Concerts in Central Park.
On Screen
Beyond the stage, Leon’s film and television career spans over 35 movies and productions. Most notably, he received NAACP Best Actor nominations for his portrayal of David Ruffin in NBC’s The Temptations. Additionally, he was nominated for his role as Little Richard in the authorized biopic Little Richard. He starred in the international Disney blockbuster Cool Runnings, as well as fan favorites Above The Rim, Waiting to Exhale, and The Five Heartbeats — voted the #1 African American film of the last 25 years by AOL.
Furthermore, Leon is currently seen in Showtime’s City On A Hill, The Chi, and the Emmy-winning Amazon series SWARM. Their song “Life Is A Funny Game” serves as the closing credits track for 20th Century Fox’s Cover. In addition, two tracks appear in I Really Hate My Ex and Where Children Play.
Giving Back
Community is at the heart of everything Leon & The Peoples do. They actively support the Harlem Junior Tennis & Education Program, Special Olympics, and the Bronx Film Initiative. Furthermore, their commitment to giving back reflects a deep dedication to uplifting the communities that have always supported them. As a result, their legacy extends well beyond the stage.
THE BAND
Meet The Peoples
Reggae-soul. One sound. Worldwide.
Lead Vocals · Singer-Songwriter
Leon
New York City, NY
Singer-songwriter, actor, and producer, Leon leads the band with smooth, sultry vocals and heartfelt lyrics that have captivated audiences worldwide. With over 35 film and television credits, a Billboard-charting discography, and a stage presence that commands every room, Leon is one of entertainment’s most multifaceted talents.
Lead Background Vocals · Songwriter · Producer
alexis
Queens & The Bronx, NY · Trinidadian · Dominican · French heritage
Alexis Layne is a vocalist, songwriter, and producer with over 25 years of experience in the reggae and live music space. She is a core member of Leon & The Peoples, fronted by Leon, where she serves as a lead background vocalist and contributes to the group’s overall sound and performance. She was also part of the band’s debut album, The Road Less Traveled, reflecting her long-standing role in the group’s foundation.
She has toured internationally as a lead background vocalist for Grammy-nominated reggae artist Collie Buddz, performing alongside acts such as Rebelution and members of the Marley family. During her time with his band, she was the sole female vocalist, contributed vocals to the track “Holiday,” and briefly stepped into a Musical Director role during a transitional period.
Alexis has also performed with reggae artist Christopher Martin and contributed studio vocals for Grammy-winning artist Shaggy. She is featured on “Gave You My Love” by Grammy-nominated artist Chaka Demus from the album Second Coming, and has collaborated with US-based Nigerian artist Akeju on the tracks “Bounce for Me” and “Most High,” also appearing in the official video for “Most High.”
In addition to her performance work, Alexis is a singer, songwriter, and producer who has been hired to arrange, write, and produce for various projects. She has also developed original music, including her single “Nah Nah,” which she wrote, produced, and mixed.
Born in Queens, New York and raised in the Bronx, Alexis draws from a diverse cultural background rooted in Trinidadian, Dominican, and French heritage. She has also worked as a children’s entertainer with Dr. Bobby Lee of WBLS and BronxNet, and is the founder of Natural Elements Sea Moss.
As both an artist and a mother, she brings authenticity, versatility, and a collaborative spirit to her work, continuing to contribute to music and live performance with consistency and experience.
Lead background Vocals · Songwriter · Performer · Recording Artist
monia
New York, NY
A powerhouse vocalist with a magnetic stage presence, Monia Amore is a graduate of LaGuardia High School of Music, Art & Performing Arts, where she trained in classical music, jazz, and rhythm and blues. She has performed as a backing vocalist for Michael Jackson at Madison Square Garden during his 35th Anniversary concert, and brings that world-class pedigree to her role with Leon & The Peoples.
Throughout her career, Monia has shared the stage with some of music’s most legendary names. She performed alongside Whitney Houston and Mariah Carey at Carnegie Hall, and has worked on projects with Busta Rhymes, Wyclef Jean, Eric Sermon, and internationally renowned DJ and producer David Penn. Additionally, she has performed with Smooth B of Nice & Smooth and Usher, further cementing her place among New York’s most in-demand vocalists.
Her stage résumé spans some of the world’s most iconic venues — including Carnegie Hall, Madison Square Garden, The Paramount, Sony Hall, The Beacon Theater, and Symphony Hall, where she has also performed in off-Broadway productions. Furthermore, she was signed to Sony Records, a testament to her talent and artistry recognized at the highest level of the music industry.
Beyond live performance, Monia has appeared in commercials, television, and film. Her original releases — including “Nsecure,” “Birthday Girl,” and “At the End of the Day” — are currently receiving radio airplay, showcasing a growing solo artistry that continues to reach new audiences.
Lead Background Vocals · Background Vocalist
malesa
Basseterre, St. Kitts · New York, NY
Malesa Ible is a vocalist, performer, and devoted mother and wife. Born in Basseterre, St. Kitts, she relocated to New York at the age of 8, where her passion for music began to flourish. She is a graduate of the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts, where she studied as a vocal major.
Since June 2009, Malesa has been an integral member of The S.T.A.R.S. (Singers Taking Action Reaching Souls), an international vocal ensemble founded by Motown legend Harvey Fuqua, who helped introduce the world to Marvin Gaye and The Spinners. Through this collective, she has performed at the United Nations and across the globe, including South Korea, China, Dubai, Malaysia, Ghana, South Africa, Singapore, Cuba, Morocco, India, Egypt, and Hong Kong — using music as a tool to uplift and inspire audiences worldwide.
Malesa is also a background vocalist for acclaimed actor and musician Leon Robinson, known for roles in The Five Heartbeats, Cool Runnings, and The Temptations. She has been performing with his band, Leon & The Peoples, since August 2017. With the group, she has graced notable venues such as The Knitting Factory, Sony Hall, Ginny’s Supper Club, The Paramount, Red Rooster, and multiple City Winery locations across New York, Chicago, Boston, and Philadelphia.
Keyboards · Piano · Percussion · Vocals
J. Cinnamon
Brooklyn, NY
A Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist, J.Cinnamon plays keyboards, piano, and percussion while also lending her voice as a singer-songwriter. She has collaborated with some of New York City’s most respected underground music DJs, co-writing and co-producing alongside them. A cousin to the late jazz pianist Buddy Johnson — who wrote the classic “Since I Fell For You” — J.Cinnamon carries a deep musical lineage into everything she creates.
She has three solo single releases and a full album to her name. Furthermore, with Leon & The Peoples she has shared stages with legendary reggae acts Black Uhuru, Third World, and Beres Hammond.
Guitar · Piano · Bass
alex
Santiago, Chile · New York, NY
Born in Santiago, Chile, Alex began his musical journey at age 3 — singing in a church choir and strumming a toy guitar. That early spark grew into a lifelong pursuit across multiple instruments and genres. He studied classical guitar under Edgar Ferrer in Buenos Aires and continued with Bill Hoff in Miami before attending the University of South Florida.
After relocating to New York, he performed with electronic music collectives, reggae bands, psychedelic jam bands, and free jazz ensembles. Furthermore, Alex has been the guitarist for Leon & The Peoples since 2006, sharing the band’s music with audiences nationally and internationally for nearly two decades.
Drums · Percussion
darryl
Queens, NY
A professional drummer with 31 years of experience, Darryl Chalmers brings precision and power to every performance. A Queens native, he has worked with The Bridge, First Circle Called, Chosen, and the jazz fusion band New York Axium (formerly known as Axiom) — earning a cable television appearance performing in Willie Nelson’s Ranchler Invitational in Dallas, Texas. He has also appeared on Fox 5’s The Bill McClary Report. Currently touring with Leon & The Peoples, Darryl cites influences including Omar Hakim, Dave Weckl, and Dennis Chambers. He endorses Stick Gripps and Medicine Man Drums, playing a custom 4×13 piccolo snare in gloss mahogany — a sound he describes as crisp, clean, and able to cut through any mix.
Keyboards · Vocals · Singer-Songwriter
Carl T. Smith
South Bronx, NY
From the South Bronx to the world stage, Carl T. Smith — better known as The Smooth1 — is a singer-songwriter, musician, and R&B/Soul recording artist whose journey through the music industry has been nothing short of extraordinary. A true industry veteran, his career spans recording studio ownership, music production, event promotion, sound engineering, and radio hosting, making him one of the most versatile figures in the business.
His musical résumé reads like a who’s who of R&B history. In the mid-70s he began recording with Clarence Music Records, followed by work with RCA recording artist Candy Bowman in the late 70s and early 80s. He was an original member of Questarr, releasing the single “She’s Got You Going Down” in 1982. Most notably, he served as the original touring keyboardist for New Edition from 1983 to 1986, and subsequently for Bobby Brown from 1987 to 1988 — cementing his place as one of the most in-demand keyboard players of his era.
Throughout the late 80s and 90s, The Smooth1 continued to build an impressive body of work. He recorded with Kangol Kid on the Whistle album, collaborated with artists including Princess, Sarah Dash, Diane Bailey, and Right Combination, and released solo singles “Come Back Lover” in 1984 and “Baby Be Mine” in 1992. Furthermore, his work as a PlayDees recording artist spans from the mid-90s to the present, nurturing talent including Nikkiyah Morgan, Janee Evans, and the group Pursuae. He also served as a vocalist with Final Mix on Bar-Roma Records from 2007 to 2012.
These days The Smooth1 continues to create new music, develop opportunities for independent artists, and provide sound for live events — all while bringing his decades of experience to the keyboards with Leon & The Peoples.
