New Orleans Louisiana is where the legend began. From childhood Leslie started bringing rhythms to life by tapping his hands and fingers on everything in sight. He beat on pots and pans, tables, tin garbage cans, until his parents purchased him his first set of drums at 10 years old. His Uncle Ernest ‘The Kid’ Milton, a famous show drummer in his own right, took Leslie under his wing and taught him the fine art of show drumming and showmanship in all genres of music. 

By age 12, he was playing drums professionally as a street corner musician, in burlesque halls and night clubs working with Dixieland musicians such as the great “Papa Cellestine’s Band” and “Kid Ory” in the famed French Quarter of New Orleans. Leslie’s work in the juke joints on the Chitlin’ Circuit of the south, to the Apollo Theater in New York City is where he encountered the musicians and entertainers that gave him the incentive to become a show drummer. 

Leslie’s recording career began in Los Angeles, California in 1961. He was one of the top session drummers of that era. He worked with Quincy Jones and ‘Bumps’ Blackwell for Mercury Records and played on several national hits, such as The Rivington’s (Papa Oom Mow Mow), Watt’s 103rd St. Rhythm Band’s (Spreadin’ Honey), Jackie DeShannon’s (Put a Little Love in Your Heart). He performed with many major recording artists, including “Johnny Otis”, “Etta James”, “Ray Charles”, “Little Richard”, “Roy Brown”, “Ike & Tina Turner”, “Bill Cosby”, “Connie Stevens”, “Jimmy Holiday”, “Lola Falana” and “Sonny and Cher”.