The Leaf Jumpers were
formed in the fall of 1995 by singer/guitarist Chris Marra, bass player Spike Kingsley
and drummer Mat Pickering. Beginning in 1997, the band played shows up and down
the East Coast, from Maine to Georgia They played at some of the country's best
venues, including Toad's Place in New Haven, The Wetlands in New York City, and
the Georgia Theater in Athens, GA. They also released their debut CD, Z'ilo
Down. During this time the band shared the stage with several of the nation's
top jam acts, including Sister Hazel, Deep Banana Blackout, Max Creek, From
Good Homes, Disco Biscuits, NRBQ, Rustic Overtones, God Street Wine, Percy Hill
and many more. The band even played festival shows with the Drifters and a then
unknown Godsmack! In 2000 the band went on hiatus for three years, then
was inactive until 2013.
After reuniting with the
original lineup, Chris Marra and Spike Kingsley fronted the band from 2014
through 2020. The band recorded its latest CD "A Distant Land" in
2015. James Anderson joined on drums in 2016, and Matt Splain and Ted Petrie
followed on guitars and keys in 2017. Sadly, Kingsley retired from the band in
2021 and passed away later that year. The band vowed to continue and came back
in 2022 with new bass player Dave Connelly. Over the past five years the band
has played throughout the Northeast at some of the biggest and most well-known
festivals and fairs, and numerous town greens. The band's high energy
music and outgoing personality make them crowd favorites everywhere they play!
Playing hits of the past 40 years as well as their best originals, Leaf Jumpers
are a band not to be missed!
Leaf Jumpers