'Saturday Night Live' bandleader to hold workshop, lecture today

Live from Cape Girardeau! It's Saturday Night Live bandleader Leon Pendarvis!

The SNL keyboardist is returning to Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus today to share some of his expertise with students.

Pendarvis will host a workshop for musical theater students from 1 to 2:30 p.m. followed by a public lecture at the Schuck Music Recital Hall.

Pendarvis has built a reputation as a top-tier soul musician over decades in the music industry. He's shared the studio with a number of legendary musicians since the late 1960s, including James Brown, Billy Joel and Buddy Guy.

In addition to being musical director and keyboardist for the SNL band, Pendarvis also holds the title of longest standing musician the show has ever had. He has been playing there for more than 20 years.

He also has won acclaim touring abroad with the Blues Brothers, performing at Sting's "Save the Rainforest" concerts and even playing at presidential inaugurations.

His talents encompass all aspects of the music industry. Pendarvis also has experience composing, conducting and producing music. His New York recording studio, Pinwheel Productions, has played host to a number of big-name artists such as P! nk and Avril Lavigne.

Artist-in-residence in musical theater and voice Judith Farris has known Pendarvis for years. The two met through Pendarvis' wife, who was studying vocal performance under Farris.

After seeing how well received his lecture was at Southeast in 2009, Farris asked him to come back. His intimate knowledge of the recording industry offers students a rare perspective and opportunity to familiarize themselves with the process.

Ronnie Rossi is pursuing a BFA in acting and directing and is looking forward to hearing Pendarvis share some industry tips.

"I'm really glad that I'll get to see him since I graduated high school in 2010 and I missed him the last time," Rossi said.

tgraef@semissourian.com

335-6611

Pertinent address:

518 S. Fountain St., Cape Girardeau, Mo.