About Leslie

H. Leslie Adams (born December 30, 1932, Cleveland, Ohio, died May 24, 2024), composer of the music drama Blake, has worked in all media, including symphony, ballet, choral, vocal solo and keyboard. Adams’ works have
been performed by the Prague Radio Symphony, Iceland Symphony, Bufalo Philharmonic, Indianapolis Symphony and New York City Opera. He has been commissioned by The Cleveland Orchestra, Ohio Chamber Orchestra, and Cleveland Chamber Symphony, among others. Metropolitan Opera artists have performed his vocal works internationally.

Adams earned degrees from Oberlin College (Conservatory of Music), Long Beach State University and Ohio State University. He is listed in the New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, 2nd ed., International Who’s Who in Music and Musicians; Who’s Who in American Music Classical, and Who’s Who in America.

Adams is winner of the “Life Achievement Award” of the Cleveland Arts Prize; “For his career as musician and composer”.