Life & Work with Miles Leon of Providence, RI

Today we’d like to introduce you to Miles Leon.

Hi Miles, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I was born and raised in southwest Atlanta in 1996. My earliest memories of music are sitting with my granddad listening to jazz cassette tapes — that’s where my love for the saxophone started. At A. Philip Randolph Elementary, I auditioned for the school band in 4th grade and started playing sax at age 9. I continued playing through middle school at Sandtown and joined the Rialto Youth Jazz for Kids Orchestra at Georgia State University, but back then, I didn’t see music as a career — it was just fun.

That changed in high school at Tri-Cities when I met my jazz band director, Aaron Johnson. He believed in me early on and went above and beyond to guide my musical journey. He connected me with private lessons, theory classes, and live jam sessions. I was still playing in the Rialto Jazz Orchestra and had started gigging around Atlanta. By the time I was 17, I knew I wanted to play music full time.

I got a full-tuition scholarship to Bard College in New York through the POSSE Foundation. At Bard, I studied piano, flute, and clarinet, led jazz ensembles, and composed original music. One of my biggest mentors there was Erica Lindsay — an incredible saxophonist and composer who really helped shape my voice as an artist.

After Bard, I earned my master’s in Jazz Performance at William Paterson University. I studied with musicians I looked up to, like Dayna Stephens, who became a mentor and friend. Even though most of my grad school experience happened during the pandemic, I grew a lot — musically and personally.

Toward the end of grad school, I accepted a job as a high school jazz band director. I thought I was starting a stable, 20-year teaching career. But once I was in it, I realized I didn’t want to teach music — I wanted to live it. So I started looking for a new path.

That’s when a musician friend told me about playing on cruise ships. It sounded like the perfect opportunity to travel and play sax full time. I auditioned in 2022, got the gig, and when my first year of teaching ended, I prepared to get my sea legs.

In 2022, I boarded my first cruise ship — not as a guest, but as a crew member in the show band. Every night, I performed for headliners brought on by the cruise line. We’d get the music, rehearse the same day, and perform that night. I soaked up every bit of wisdom from those headliners. One in particular, a Whitney Houston tribute artist, changed everything for me. During her show, she invited me to the front of the stage for the “I Will Always Love You” sax solo — and I went off. After the show, she asked me if I wanted to create my own headliner show. That moment changed the course of my career.

I finished out my six-month contract as a crew member and promised myself that the next time I stepped on a ship, it would be as a headliner. I spent the next year producing my own shows — “Rock With You: A Tribute to the King of Pop” and “Funk Your Soul: A Tribute to Funk and Soul Artists.” In early 2023, I signed with Don Casino Talent Agency, and by the end of the year, I made my headlining debut.

Today, I headline on Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line. I work year-round, but my contracts usually last between 5 and 11 days. The cruise lines fly me out, I rehearse, perform the shows, and the rest of the time I get to enjoy the ship and explore different parts of the world — almost like a working vacation. I typically spend about 9–10 months of the year doing these short runs, and I take summers off. So far, I’ve performed all over the world — some of my favorite places have been Greece, Cape Town, Martinique, and Turkey.

When I’m home, I’m based in Providence, Rhode Island. I work as a solo saxophonist for weddings, private events, and corporate parties, where I DJ, MC, and play sax. I also perform with Big Lux and the Hype, the most popular live band in Rhode Island. Big Lux is a hip hop violinist and has been a great mentor and collaborator in my journey as a solo artist. I also arrange and produce shows for other cruise headliners and independent artists.

Looking back, it’s wild to think that listening to jazz tapes with my granddad led to a full-blown international music career. But here I am — doing what I love and making music that reaches people all over the world.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey hasn’t been a straight line — and I think that’s true for most musicians building a career. One of the biggest struggles came after grad school when I took a teaching job. On paper, it seemed stable and respectable, but I quickly realized I wasn’t fulfilled. I didn’t want to spend my life teaching music; I wanted to live music — performing, creating, and connecting with audiences.

Leaving that security to perform full time was scary. I faced financial uncertainty and had to hustle to make a name for myself. After leaving the cruise ship as a crew member, I found ways to make money while waiting for my headliner career to take off. I substitute taught and even donated plasma to pay rent. It was humbling and taught me the value of hard work. That’s why I appreciate my work so much now — because I earned it and never take it for granted.

I don’t come from money, nor do I have a record label or investor backing me. I’ve reinvested everything I’ve earned back into my craft. Over about three years, I invested around $40,000 in equipment alone — and I’ve made all of it back and more. It’s been a true labor of love.

Another challenge has been constantly evolving musically. Growing up in Atlanta, I was into artists like Young Jeezy, Gucci Mane, and Lil Jon. But here in Rhode Island, clients want a different vibe, so I’ve had to expand my repertoire. Learning new genres to meet audience needs keeps my skills sharp and makes me a more versatile performer. It’s a challenge I embrace because it keeps me relevant and allows me to deliver exactly what each event needs.

Through it all, I’ve learned perseverance and passion are key. Every obstacle has strengthened my resolve to build a career on my terms and keep sharing my music with the world.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a professional saxophonist, performer and producer. My work spans across cruise ship entertainment, weddings, private events, and studio production — but at the core of it all, I specialize in creating high-energy, emotionally engaging performances that blend live saxophone with elements of DJing, pop, funk, R&B, and soul.

I’m best known for my headlining shows on Princess Cruises and Norwegian Cruise Line. My productions — “Rock With You: A Tribute to the King of Pop” and “Funk Your Soul: A Tribute to Funk and Soul Artists” — are full-scale, theater-ready experiences. I perform with a full band and track support, and the shows are designed to bring people on a nostalgic, high-energy journey that showcases both musicianship and showmanship. I’m proud to say these shows have taken me around the world and allowed me to live out my dream of performing internationally.

At home in Rhode Island, I specialize in luxury wedding entertainment. I’m an in-demand wedding saxophonist, and I’m regularly booked to DJ, MC, and perform live sax throughout the entire day — from the ceremony and cocktail hour to the dance floor. It’s a unique all-in-one service that allows couples to have a live music experience without having to hire multiple vendors. I also perform for private events and corporate parties, but weddings are my main focus.

In addition to my solo work, I perform with Big Lux and the Hype, the most popular live band in Rhode Island. Big Lux is a hip hop violinist and has been a great mentor and collaborator in my journey as a solo artist. I also arrange and produce shows for other cruise headliners and independent artists who are looking to elevate their sound and stage presence.

What sets me apart is my versatility. I’m classically trained, jazz-educated, and fluent in a wide range of styles — from funk and soul to hip hop and house. Whether I’m playing for a packed theater on a cruise ship or a bride down the aisle, I know how to read the room and deliver a performance that connects. On top of that, I produce and arrange my own material — which means I have full creative control over my sound and brand. I also value my performance off the sax just as much as on it. Bringing my personality and energy to every gig is a big part of what makes my shows memorable. Whether I’m on the mic as an MC, interacting with the audience, or hyping up the dance floor as a DJ, I aim to create a connection that goes beyond just the music. Being personable and engaging on the mic leaves a lasting impression and helps make each event feel special and unique.

I’m most proud that I’ve built a career entirely around playing music. No day job, no fallback plan — just the saxophone, taking me around the world. That’s what I dreamed of when I was a kid, and that’s what I do every day now.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Evolution. For a long time, I identified simply as a saxophonist — that was my whole world. But as my career has grown, I realized that to succeed in today’s music landscape, I had to become more than just a player. Now, I’m not only a saxophonist, but also a headliner, DJ, MC, and producer.

This evolution didn’t happen overnight. I realized that if I wanted my art to be heard by as many people as possible, I had to embrace different identities — whether that’s performing live on sax, DJing, MCing, or producing. Each role lets me connect with different audiences and share my music in unique ways.

Being adaptable and open to growth is what’s kept me relevant and in demand. The ability to evolve — not just musically, but professionally — has been the key characteristic that drives my success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.milesleonsax.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/milesleonsax/