DeLeon plays 15th Century Spanish (1)indie rock (2) infused with the deeply mysterious and entrancing cadences of the ancient Sephardic (3) tradition.

DeLeons intricate sound has been a long time in the making. Their music, birthed in Spain before the Inquisition and raised in pre-WWII Italy, has finally reached maturity in modern-day Brooklyn (4). The band, named for 12th Century Kabalistic philosopher Moses DeLeon (5) and front man Daniel Saks great-grandfather Giorgio DeLeon, was conceived to reconcile Saks cultural journey with modern influences (6). By re-imagining these ancient melodies as contemporary pieces, DeLeon has given the world at large a unique chance to experience the rich musical history of Sephardic Judaism.

Anxious to show the world the newest trick up his talented sleeve, Saks officially began DeLeons journey last April at the Bowery Ballroom where they played their first show alongside Balkan Beat Box. Since then, DeLeon has been very busy (7). They have just been invited to tour with Ozomatli in May. DeLeon will also be showcasing much of their new material at JDub Records 5th Anniversary show July 20th at Celebrate Brooklyn in Prospect Park (8). Their much-anticipated self-titled album will be released August 12th, 2008 on JDub Records.

DeLeons groundbreaking sound is as rare as the process that created it. Saks, along with band mates Kevin Snider, Justin Riddle, Amy Crawford and Andrew Oom, pioneered this form, one that marries ancient Sephardic melodies sung in Ladino (9), Hebrew and English with the chaotic symphony of urban living.

--------------------------------------------
1. During this period Spanish Jews were faced with expulsion orchestrated by Queen Isabella and King Ferdinand. Think Columbus.
2. noun. See: Independent Rock N Roll, Totally Awesome, Pavement.
3. Initially Sephardic referred to a Jewish person that could trace their lineage back to the Iberian Peninsula, which includes modern day Spain, Portugal, Andorra and Gibraltar.
4. Specifically Prospect Heights.
5. A deeply respected thinker, Deleon is responsible for redacting the Zohar; this text is the central volume in the study of Kabalah and has most recently been bastardized by Madonna. Do Not See: Hard Candy
6. Talking Heads, Cafe Tacuba, Deerhoof, Animal Collective.
7. noun. See: Huge Free Outdoor Party, Michael Showalter, Golem, Soulico, Sway Machinery.
8. noun. See: Huge Free Outdoor Party, Michael Showalter, Golem, Soulico, Sway Machinery.
9. Rare, nearly extinct romance language derived from Old Castilian, Hebrew, Turkish and some French and Greek. Today, the majority of remaining Ladino speakers are in Deleon. Its like a dead language, man.
Since releasing their first album on JDub Records to critical acclaim, DeLeon has toured the US extensively and made their European debut. On the road with other like-minded New Whirled bands such as Gogol Bordello, Os Mutantes, Ozomatli and Balkan Beat Box, DeLeon drew inspiration from the crowds each night, whose electric energy surged from floor to stage and back again. Upon their return home, DeLeon (who is front-man Daniel Saks along with bandmates Kevin Snider, Justin Riddle, Amy Crawford and Andrew Oom) decided to channel that energy into their second album, Casata. To be released this June 14th, 2011 on JDub Records, Casata features stomping, whooping, soaring trumpet and sensual slow jams.

On Casata, elements of African guitar funk and doo-wop come together in one song, while Ladino-English lyrics preside over another-- one song even manages to find the unlikely common ground between El Guincho's tropical grooves and Tom Waits' clangs. Stories of wedding celebrations, forsaken lovers, and the births of biblical prophets are all told through upbeat, roaring, rocking melodies that even at their quietest banjo-picking moments, still make you move.

For Saks, the music on Casata feels more like home than anything else he's produced or performed thus far. Each song on the album is a reflection of Saks's own Sephardic-Italian heritage: most are recreations of old Jewish folk songs. Because Casata "belongs" to Saks in this way, like a home, it is his to redecorate according to his own modern musical sensibilities. What results is a natural and satisfying fusion of completely disparate styles.

Casata is DeLeon's re-imagining of ancient melodies into contemporary indie-rock pieces. The band's groundbreaking global pop sound successfully marries ancient Sephardic melodies with the celebratory symphony of modern life.