Leslie Bixler - Composer, Musician, Arranger
To watch my new video "I'm A Little Seed"
go to the LINKS page of this site!
MOON FOOD: musically nutritious, imagination-packed images and melodies that speak directly to kids. Also pleasing to adults, who will find the music and stories stimulating and universal.
Under her former name, LESLIE LETVEN has had a recording
career spanning the last two decades, beginning with her nationwide
release “MAKE IT RIGHT” on SinDrome Records, (which charted to number
12 and still enjoys airplay on adult contemporary radio) and followed
by “PORCUPINE” which expanded to include the singer/songwriter genre,
further demonstrating her unique story-telling gift.
Through the revelation of having her own baby boy and the added
experience of singing with children at a beautiful preschool called
“Garden of Childhood”, Leslie Bixler opened the door to a totally new
world of music. Met by the fresh open faces of children week after
week, she began to develop song ideas that came directly out of these
musical sessions.
When more than one little boy asked for a song about pirates, the need
became clear and soon “I’M A PIRATE” was born. And what better person
to play the gruff and yet ultimately so loveable pirate than DICK VAN
DYKE, who brings to the song a character all his own. After witnessing
childrens’ fascination with the photograph and story of her tiny
rescued kitty who soon grows large and fat, “FAT CAT” was created. In
response to the fact that one of the teachers, Lolli, faithfully wears
a different color of the rainbow for each day, starting with red on
Monday, and on through the spectrum, Leslie wrote “LOLLI’S RAINBOW”,
and from her experience watching children thrive in an environment of
love and fun came the growing up anthem ”TERRY’S GARDEN”.
But the Garden from which these songs grows is beyond any one place.
It’s in the hearts of children and in their rich and endless sense of
imagination. Leslie’s songs venture into these worlds, one after
another, as she explores the mystery and power of a TARZAN who can
“run as fast as the wind, and pounce just like a lion”. This is
serious play, because play is the serious work of children, as they
build confidence, imagination and understanding of of each other and
their place in the world. The importance of empathy is explored
through story in “CAN YOU IMAGINE” where Leslie invites children to
envision themselves “being someone, not you, to think about what other
kids go through”, touching on issues like shyness, children excluding
one another, kids in wheelchairs and the pain and isolation of divorce,
and ultimately, the importance of being kind.
Of course, many of the songs on MOON FOOD are just silly and playful,
like the bubbling waves and dreamy harmonies of “3 LITTLE MERMAIDS”,
born out of a finger puppet game Leslie developed to the delight of her
little audiences. And we mustn’t overlook the hysterically funny
“VANCE THE VACUUM CLEANER”, the saga of a well-meaning if misunderstood
soldier of carpet cleaning (DICK VAN DYKE) who deals with the very
real problem of being “allergic to dust” and who ultimately succumbs
to a seriously silly sneezing fit.
Musically speaking, MOON FOOD offers stimulating arrangements that
incorporate styles of music ranging from rock, jazz, blues, classical
and even tango. With co- producer/arranger RALPH CARTER, (who has
toured and written with Eddie Money and who now writes for a popular
television show), Leslie and Ralph utilized the additional talents of
established guest musicans the likes of premier violinist MARIA NEWMAN,
jazz pianist DON GRUSIN, reed player BILL BIXLER, accordionist JOELLEN
FRIEDKIN and rock guitarist TAKESHI AKIMOTO who currently tours with
reggae star Ziggy Marley, not to mention vocal performances by
world-renowned DICK VAN DYKE.
These top-notch musicians only add to the sparkle of rich imagery and
engaging stories called MOON FOOD, creating a package full of wonder
and excitement that will delight your children and you for years to
come.