James “Jimmy” Leyden of The Calliope’s Children Steel Orchestra has passed

James Leyden
James Leyden - image via Linfield Archives screengrab

Oregon, USA - James “Jimmy” Leyden of The Calliope’s Children Steel Orchestra passed away recently at the age of ninety-nine.  Leyden formed and wrote charts for “Calliope′s Children,” one of the first High School steelbands in the US.  He introduced Ellie [Mannette] to the strobe tuner and worked extensively with him on harmonic and overtone concepts. Leyden toured with  “Calliope′s Children” in Romania (1975) and Poland and Russia (1977). 


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  • Condolences to the James Leyden followers.   Early 70s they were touring many foreign countries playing our instruments. 

    May he Rest in Peace.

    Brenda H. 

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