Mr Sam Leak
| Name | Mr Sam Leak |
|---|---|
| Job title | Senior Lecturer in Creative Music Practices (Research) |
| Research institute | |
| Primary appointment | School of Arts |
| Email address | s.leak@mdx.ac.uk |
| ORCID | https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2291-8803 |
| Contact category | Academic staff |
Biography
Biography Sam Leak is an internationally recognised jazz pianist and educator, combining a current professional profile as a performer with extensive conservatoire and higher-education teaching and management experience. His work as a jazz pianist has been recognised by national and international media: Jazz FM described him as “one of the brightest stars” of his generation; Aquarium (2011) was listed by MOJO as a Top Ten International Release; Places (2013) received strong critical reviews including The Guardian and BBC Music Magazine; and Adrift (2018), a duo recording with Dan Tepfer, was praised by The Wire and The New York City Jazz Record. His recording output spans 2011–2025 and includes releases as a leader and co-leader alongside significant contributions as an ensemble member on other artists’ projects, including participation in John Zorn’s Cerberus: Book of Angels, Volume 26. He has performed extensively across the UK and internationally (including Italy, Romania, China, Greece, Estonia, Sweden, and the UAE) at major venues and festivals such as Ronnie Scott’s, Cadogan Hall, the Royal Festival Hall, the EFG London Jazz Festival, Love Supreme, and Blue Note (Shanghai and Beijing), and with leading artists including Gregory Hutchinson, JD Allen, and Will Vinson. Notable credits include Ronnie Scott’s International Piano Trio Festival, the Steinway Two Pianos Festival, Quincy Jones’ Q’s residency, and a BBC Radio 3 broadcast with the BBC Singers (improvisations around Poulenc’s Figure humaine). His professional practice also includes cross-genre collaboration (e.g. Derrick May, Black Egypt, Leon Foster Thomas), reflecting deep, applied knowledge of contemporary performance practice and today’s wider cultural landscape. Alongside performance, Sam Leak has an extensive record as a teacher at the highest level. He is a Senior Lecturer at Middlesex University, a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music. He has taught in conservatoire contexts (Guildhall School of Music & Drama; Trinity Laban) and in leading university settings (University of Cambridge; University of Surrey), delivering jazz ensemble tutoring, guest teaching in jazz harmony, history, and transcription, and performance instruction. He currently provides one-to-one jazz piano tuition at Surrey and Cambridge. He is an experienced examiner, including conservatoire recital examining at Guildhall (2017; 2021-22) and external examining for Jazz Performance Recitals at the University of Cambridge (2023).
Teaching • PER1001: Skilling Up: Tools and Techniques [Module Leader] • MUS2120: Performance and Composition/Songwriting [Module Leader] • MUS2140: Performance Festival [Module Leader] • PER1004: Making Performance • MUS3120: Advanced Creative Music Practice • MUS3140: Degree Festival Previous teaching: Pathway Leader for Popular Music at Middlesex University (2022–2024), leading staff and visiting tutors, coordinating assessment processes, and managing resources during budgetary constraint. • MUS1096: Musicianship and Production [Module Leader] • MUS2096: Musicianship and Performance [Module Leader] • MUS3096: Advanced Musicianship and Performance [Module Leader] • MUS1002: Musicianship and Theory [Module Leader] • MUS2012: Performance and Musicianship [Module Leader] • MUS3012: Advanced Performance and Musicianship • MUS1095: Popular Music Genres • MUS3055: Independent Project • MUS2099: Songwriting • MUS3099: Advanced Songwriting • MUS1625: Jazz Musicianship • MUS3223: Afro-Cuban and Brazilian Styles • MUS2514: Bop and Hard Bop • MUS3083: Advanced Jazz Improvisation • MUS1084: Jazz Repertoire 1 • MUS2017: Style and Theory • MUS3019: Negotiated Project [supervising Music Psychology projects] • MUS1054: Managing Arts and Music Projects • MUS3014: Popular Music Studies [teaching "Aesthetics of Music"] • MUS2015: Music and Culture [teaching "Music and Language"]
Supervision
Employment
Education and qualifications
Leak, S. (2023). Can Adults Learn Absolute Pitch? Evaluating the “Melody Triggers” Method [Apollo - University of Cambridge Repository]. https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.123873
Jazz Studies: Distinction.
(also DipRAM for ‘Outstanding Final Recital, and Benjamin Doniger Jazz Scholarship)
Music - First Class Honours
Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (fellowship reference
number: PR141953)
Grants
ESRC-funded research project examining revenue models, audience behaviour, and sustainability in live-streamed musical performance following the COVID-19 pandemic. The project involved large-scale audience data analysis and close collaboration with sector bodies including the Musicians’ Union and Music Venue Trust, producing UKRI/ESRC-commissioned reports informing policy and professional practice. £50,437.87 awarded.
Prizes and Awards
Associate of the Royal Academy of Music
2019-07-01
Royal Academy of Music
External activities
Sam Leak’s work as a jazz pianist has been recognised by national and international media. Jazz FM described him as “one of the brightest stars” of his generation; Aquarium (2011) was listed by MOJO as a Top Ten International Release; Places (2013) received strong critical reviews including The Guardian and BBC Music Magazine; and Adrift (2018), a duo recording with Dan Tepfer, was praised by The Wire and The New York City Jazz Record. His recording output spans 2011–2025 and includes releases as a leader and co-leader alongside significant contributions as an ensemble member on other artists’ projects, including participation in John Zorn’s Cerberus: Book of Angels, Volume 26.
He has performed extensively across the UK and internationally (including Italy, Romania, China, Greece, Estonia, Sweden, and the UAE) at major venues and festivals such as Ronnie Scott’s, Cadogan Hall, the Royal Festival Hall, the EFG London Jazz Festival, Love Supreme, and Blue Note (Shanghai and Beijing), and with leading artists including Gregory Hutchinson, JD Allen, and Will Vinson. His professional practice also includes cross-genre collaboration (e.g. Derrick May, Black Egypt, Leon Foster Thomas), reflecting deep applied knowledge of contemporary performance practice and the wider cultural industries.
This sustained professional activity directly informs his teaching, research, industry engagement, and curriculum development at Middlesex University.
External examiner for undergraduate jazz performance recitals, responsible for assessing final performance submissions and contributing to examination outcomes (2023).
Examiner for jazz combo and student performance recitals at undergraduate level, contributing to assessment and progression decisions (2017; 2021–22).
Research outputs
Can adults learn absolute pitch? Evaluating the “Melody Triggers” method
Leak, S. 2023. Can adults learn absolute pitch? Evaluating the “Melody Triggers” method. PhD thesis University of Cambridge https://doi.org/10.17863/CAM.123873Livestreaming music in the UK: quantitative analysis
Haferkorn, J., Kavanagh, B. and Leak, S. 2021. Livestreaming music in the UK: quantitative analysis. United Kingdom Live Streaming Music. https://doi.org/10.22023/mdx.14975172.v2Livestreaming Music in the UK: Report for Musicians
Haferkorn, J., Kavanagh, B. and Leak, S. 2021. Livestreaming Music in the UK: Report for Musicians. London, UK Middlesex University. https://doi.org/10.22023/mdx.14974092.v1Can absolute pitch be learned by adults?
Leak, S. 2017. Can absolute pitch be learned by adults? University of Cambridge.Absolute pitch: myths, misconceptions, and learnability
Leak, S. 2019. Absolute pitch: myths, misconceptions, and learnability. Crick Music Symposium. The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Rd, London NW1 1AT 11 Dec 2019Embrace: the human element [CD]
Leak, S., Ludwig, J., Schipmann, G., Luthert, M. and Glaser, W. 2019. Embrace: the human element [CD].EFG London Jazz Festival: Sam Leak Trio "The Craft of Sound"
Leak, S., Read, S. and Glaser, W. 2019. EFG London Jazz Festival: Sam Leak Trio "The Craft of Sound". Pizza Express Jazz Club, 10 Dean Street, London, W1D 3RW 21 Nov 2019Cambridge International Jazz Festival: Elliot Galvin Trio + Sam Leak Trio
Leak, S., Read, S., Davis, J., Galvin, E., McCredie, T. and Dick, C. 2019. Cambridge International Jazz Festival: Elliot Galvin Trio + Sam Leak Trio. Darwin College, Silver Street, Cambridge 19 Nov 2019Birmingham International Piano Festival: Sam Leak Trio
Leak, S., Read, S. and Glaser, W. 2019. Birmingham International Piano Festival: Sam Leak Trio. Barber Concert Hall, The Barber Institute of Fine Arts, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham 08 Nov 2019Cotton Club, Modena: Davide Raisi quartet featuring Sam Leak
Raisi, D., Leak, S., Dallaporta, S. and Grillini, A. 2019. Cotton Club, Modena: Davide Raisi quartet featuring Sam Leak. Corso Canal, Grande 86 Modena, Italy 03 Nov 2019Woven Skies - The Eddy White Sextet [Album]
White, E., Jordanous, P., Gibson, W., Mires, T., Leak, S., Rose, M. and Carrasco, T. 2019. Woven Skies - The Eddy White Sextet [Album].Derrick May and the Orchestra
May, D., Emin, D., Werner, H., Leak, S. and Sinfonia, C. 2019. Derrick May and the Orchestra. The Royal Festival Hall, Southbank Centre, Belvedere Rd, Lambeth, London, SE1 8XX 29 Aug 2019Circolo Milleluci: Davide Raisi Quartet featuring Sam Leak
Raisi, D., Leak, S., Dallaporta, S. and Grillini, A. 2018. Circolo Milleluci: Davide Raisi Quartet featuring Sam Leak. Circolo Milleluci, Via Isotta degli Atti, 8 - Rimini, Italy 01 Dec 2018Adrift [Album]
Leak, S. and Tepfer, D. 2018. Adrift [Album].JazzTrane: Johannes Ludwig Group feat. Sam Leak - Honoring the Legends
Ludwig, J., Leak, S., Parzhuber, A. and Rey, S. 2018. JazzTrane: Johannes Ludwig Group feat. Sam Leak - Honoring the Legends. Stadtgarten, Venloer Straße 40, 50672, Köln 25 Oct 2018Sofi Jeannin conducts the BBC Singers (broadcast on BBC Radio 3)
Singers, B., Jeannin, S., Mullov-Abbado, M., Scott, J. and Leak, S. 2018. Sofi Jeannin conducts the BBC Singers (broadcast on BBC Radio 3). St Paul's Church, Knightsbridge, 32a Wilton Pl, Belgravia, London SW1X 8SH, United Kingdom 24 Sep 2018Love Supreme Jazz Festival: Samuel Eagles' band Spirit
Eagles, S., Eagles, D., Wyld, R., Leak, S., Luthert, M. and Hamblett, D. 2018. Love Supreme Jazz Festival: Samuel Eagles' band Spirit. Glynde Place, The St, Glynde, Lewes, BN8 6SX, United Kingdom 01 Jul 2018Permission [Album]
Leak, S. and Rae-Gibson, P. 2018. Permission [Album].EFG London Jazz Festival: Illegal Crowns + Sam Leak
Halvorson, M., Ho Bynum, T., Delbecq, B., Fujiwara, T., Leak, S., Read, S. and Storey, D. 2017. EFG London Jazz Festival: Illegal Crowns + Sam Leak. The Vortex, 11 Gillett Square, London, N16 8AZ, United Kingdom 16 Nov 2017IDee Jazz Festival: Aubrey Logan "Impossible"
Logan, A., Leak, S., Bassignani, L., Lombardo, A., Deal, K. and George, V. 2017. IDee Jazz Festival: Aubrey Logan "Impossible". IDee Jazz, Muuseumi tee 2, 60532 Tartu, Estonia 11 Nov 2017Jazzy Sunday: Aubrey Logan (Postmodern Jukebox)
Logan, A., Leak, S., Bassignani, L. and Lombardo, A. 2017. Jazzy Sunday: Aubrey Logan (Postmodern Jukebox). Club Dauphine, Prins Bernhardplein 175, 1097 BL Amsterdam, The Netherlands 05 Nov 2017Nefertiti Jazz Club: Aubrey Logan
Logan, A., Bassignani, L., Leak, S., Lombardo, A., Deal, K. and George, V. 2017. Nefertiti Jazz Club: Aubrey Logan. Hvitfeldtsplatsen 6, 411 20 Göteborg, Sweden 04 Nov 2017Ask, seek, knock by Samuel Eagles' band Spirit [Album]
Eagles, S., Eagles, D., Toussaint, J., Wyld, R., Leak, S., Luthert, M. and Hamblett, D. 2017. Ask, seek, knock by Samuel Eagles' band Spirit [Album].Quincy Jones' Q's: Ollie Howell quartet residency
Howell, O., Leak, S., Eagles, D., Luthert, M. and Casimir, D. 2016. Quincy Jones' Q's: Ollie Howell quartet residency. Q's Bar and Lounge, Palazzo Versace, Dubai Culture Village, Dubai Fountain St Dubai, Dubai P.O. Box 128431, United Arab Emirates 29 Dec 2016 - 11 Jan 2017Ronnie Scott's International Piano Trio Festival: Sam Leak Trio
Leak, S., Whitford, D. and Giles, T. 2016. Ronnie Scott's International Piano Trio Festival: Sam Leak Trio. Ronnie Scotts, 47 Frith St, Soho, London W1D 4HT, United Kingdom 20 Aug 2016Gathering by Chris Rand [Album]
Rand, C., Benstead, E., Leak, S., Noble, A., Allessio, S. and Reeve, J. 2016. Gathering by Chris Rand [Album].John Zorn: Cerberus: the book of angels volume 26 [CD]
Zorn, J., Wilkins, M., Xenopoulos, V., Booth, P., Curtis, S., Clarke, E., Langley, N., Straw, K., Hogg, G., Greenslade-Stanton, B., Slater, A., Guy, M., Eastmond, S., Powell, D., Leak, S., Freed, M., Nickolls, C., Willberg, O. and Franklin, N. 2015. John Zorn: Cerberus: the book of angels volume 26 [CD].Jiannis Pavlidis Quintet featuring Greg Hutchinson
Pavlidis, J., Leak, S., Hutchinson, G., Tzimkas, L. and Anderson, M. 2015. Jiannis Pavlidis Quintet featuring Greg Hutchinson. SOLON MICHAILIDIS TEST AND REHEARSAL HALL OF THE T.S.S.O. 73 Nikis Avenue, Thessaloniki, Greece 03 Oct 2015Simians of Swing by the group Simians of Swing [Album]
Davies, A., Bassignani, L., Raman, S., Boscagin, L., Law, A., Leak, S., McLean, B., Neame, I. and Gibbons, P. 2015. Simians of Swing by the group Simians of Swing [Album].Radio Londra, Italy presents Acoustic Report with Sam Leak and Josh Arcoleo (UK)
Zirilli, E., Leak, S., Arcoleo, J. and Curcio, L. 2015. Radio Londra, Italy presents Acoustic Report with Sam Leak and Josh Arcoleo (UK). FolkClub TORINO - Via Ettore Perrone 3 bis 10122, Italy 20 Feb 2015Ghetto by The Spike Orchestra [Album]
Wilkins, M., Werner, C., Blake, N., Gillies, J., Clarke, E., Straw, K., Gardner, P., Caulfield, C., Rodwell, J., Roberts, A., Greenslade-Stanton, B., Stokes, J., Dunnett, T., Lester, A., Lawrence, J., Freed, M., Guy, M., Leak, S., Heighway, M., Cater, P., Eastmond, S., Franklin, N. and Oates, D. 2015. Ghetto by The Spike Orchestra [Album].Steinway 2 pianos festival: Sam Leak and Dan Tepfer; John Taylor and Richard Fairhurst
Leak, S., Tepfer, D., Taylor, J. and Fairhurst, R. 2014. Steinway 2 pianos festival: Sam Leak and Dan Tepfer; John Taylor and Richard Fairhurst. 10 Dean St, Soho, London W1D 3RW 24 Mar 20147 deadly sins by Louise Gibbs & The deadly 7 [CD]
Gibbs, L., Kofi, T., Whitehead, T., Collins, Q., White, T., Leak, S., Hayhurst, O. and Gardner, S. 2014. 7 deadly sins by Louise Gibbs & The deadly 7 [CD].4676
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