Brick Road Studio owner Scott Leader has recorded vocals for pop star Dua Lipa and helmed voiceover work by Michael Phelps and restaurateur Craig Culver. The Airpark producer's passion is in Jewish music and singer-songwriters. (Photos by Dennis Murphy)
making music. “I felt like I could express myself more musically than I could just by playing,” he says. “I just got bit by the bug and loved it. “I knew I wanted to learn how to do that. Luckily, I’ve had good mentors along the way who helped me get started. I feel really lucky to have been able to make a living at it all these years.” His father was in a band in the 1960s, while his grandfather was a concert pianist. “When I was about 7, he played piano, and I remember him identifying that I had an ear for music,” Leader says. “I can remember him sitting at the piano
and he would play a few notes and I would play them back. The piano wound up at our house, and I taught myself piano.” Playing music is still in his blood. Leader, whom King calls a “Jewish rock star,” is in the trio Sababa. A cantorial soloist, he is an accomplished pianist and guitarist. He earned a master’s degree in education from ASU and degrees in science and Judaic studies from the UA. As an undergraduate, he taught music at Temple
Jazz guitarist and singer-songwriter George Benson recorded part of his "Walking to New Orleans" album at Brick Road Studio. (Photo by Dennis Murphy)
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Emanu-El in Tucson with friend and music partner, Cantor Billy Tiep. Leader taught science and music at the Austin Jewish Academy in Texas; was director of Camp Isaiah in Los Angeles; became cantorial soloist at Temple Sinai, Denver; and now serves as the music director of Temple Gan Elohim in Phoenix partnering with Rabbi Tracee Rosen. Leader’s solo discography includes “Lift my Eyes” (2003) and “Gates” (2006). Sababa is well known in its field. Leader calls it “a random, little niche of music to be in.” “We do original Jewish rock music,” Leader says. “You hear ‘Jewish music’ and you think ‘klezmer.’ It’s not like that at all. It’s guitars, drums, rock and vocal harmonies. Pre-COVID, we were playing all over the country at places for years. “Now it’s three years later, and I’ve become really busy in the studio. Everyone’s lives have changed. Now we’re considering doing another album, but we’re not sure. It might be over, but not for any negative reason.”
Wide-ranging talents
His resume is impressive, having worked with George Benson, the aforementioned Lipa — before her three Grammy awards