“Rupert Leighton plays some of the funkiest keyboards you will hear anywhere” - SMOOTH JAZZ THERAPY, UK

“Funk, dance &  jazz that forms great escapes to plunge into and feel free” -  JAZZ REVIEW.COM

I've had a love of music stretching back as far as I can remember. 
Began composing music in my mid-teens and have since released many albums!

Early influence was predominantly jazz & blues piano players such as Oscar Peterson, Jools Holland & Monty Alexander but soon started to add other styles into the mix. Released my first album ‘Beyond Reflection’ back in 2005 but it was my second album ‘Take the Sidewalk’ when I really found my own sound. Combining groove-laden jazz with funky keyboards, it was released in 2006 on Innervision Records in L.A. and achieved extensive radio play, particularly in the U.S. This set the tone for future albums 'Utter Karma' (2010),  'All Kinds of Fine' (2017), 'Gone For Now' (2019) and ‘Limitlesss’ (2020).  I experimented with African & ethnic sounds on 'Suniwahle' (2018) and released a seasonal album 'A Winter's Walk' in 2014  which I have recently revisited and re-recorded in 2025  as ‘Another Winter’s Walk' including one brand new song added to the collection. 

Meanwhile, you can find my blues 'n' boogie-woogie songs & piano instrumentals under my alter ego 'Fingers Slim'. 

Over the years, my music has found placements in various media & films,  my tune 'En Route' was chosen in the top 5 tunes of 2017 by Rich Edwards on his Smooth Grooves Radio Show.

First proper gig was in 2003 at a club in Bournemouth. Bag of nerves but I enjoyed it and over the years developed a love for performing. Formed a trio 'Miquid Licks' in 2010 to perform my jazzy repertoire and the band spent two busy years playing all around the south & south west of England. From 2012, I focused my attention on a new band ‘Fujalada’. For several years, we firmly established ourselves on the local scene, kicking out a pulsating mix of original funk & feel-good vibes!

In more recent years, I've created a new live solo act ‘Rupierre Le Funk’ - head over to rupierrelefunk.com to see what that's all about. Also, feel free to get in touch about gig enquiries and more! 

All the best, Rupert