Leslie Odom Jr.

Born in Queens, New York, in 1981 and raised in Philadelphia, Leslie Odom Jr. initially built his career on stage—church singing, theatrical training and early Broadway appearances such as Rent in 1998. He became a notable figure in American musical theatre with roles in Leap of Faith, Venice and especially Hamilton, portraying Aaron Burr Off-Broadway and then on Broadway between 2015 and 2016, a part that significantly raised his profile. Alongside his film and television work, Leslie Odom Jr. has pursued a musical career as a modern crooner, operating at the crossroads of vocal jazz, soul, orchestrated pop and musical theatre repertoire. His discography includes Leslie Odom Jr. (2014), Simply Christmas (2016), Mr. (2019), The Christmas Album (2020) and When a Crooner Dies (2023). His approach favors understated arrangements, a supple baritone voice and an appetite for both standards and original songs. He has also recorded projects tied to his stage and film collaborations, notably material related to Hamilton and the song “Speak Now,” which he co-wrote for One Night in Miami.