Leif Manheim, 
resident of
Malden, MA, loves music. He grew up in a musical family,
though he may have been as able to play violin, keyboards,
drums, and guitar in a non-musical family. Leif was born
with a condition known as Williams Syndrome. According to
research, the percent of individuals with perfect pitch and
musical ability is higher among those with Williams
Syndrome than in the general population.
By three, Leif tinkered around at the upright piano
and banged percussive pot tops on the floor of the
kitchen. He easily moved to rhythms of all types.
Later, Leif learned to play violin and read music
through the Suzuki program. His grandfather, a composer
with perfect pitch, discovered that Leif too had
perfect pitch. Jazz violin instructors like Randy
Sabien, remarked that Leif had particular
improvisational gifts. These gifts would surface during
impromptu jam sessions with friends or professional
musicians.
In high school, Leif gravitated toward rock n’ roll
and learned how to play guitar and drums. He
practiced regularly to the music of Def Leppard,
Crocus, Gary Moore, Kansas, and J Geils Band. Though Leif
claims to have been saved from the non-Christian rock n’
roll, he still grabs the opportunity to bang a
drumstick to any driving beat.
At 44, a fanatical desire to hear and make music
compels him to find outlets. This drive started
early. As a child, Leif would frequently wander
toward the closest instrument, music shop, or musician. He
followed the sounds or vibes. First step toward finding the
lost Leif always involved the question, “is there an
instrument around here?” or “Are musicians playing
close by?” Today, though not as inclined to run off
without warning, Leif considers an afternoon at Daddy’s
Junky Music Store near the Berklee School of Music to
be a piece of heaven.
Approximately three years ago, Leif started jamming
with a friend and accomplished musician, Sal DiFusco
<http://www.saldifusco.com>.
With Sal on electric guitar, Leif on drums or
keyboard, a germ of an idea formed. Leif and Sal
began to translate Leif’s original material into
tracks.
The songs Leif chose to record all have a Christian
message. “I got saved in my 20’s,” says Leif, and he
continues to pray for everything that goes right and
wrong. From “Keep the Faith,” to “Help the Children
Cross the Street”, every song praises God and challenges
the hearer to have faith. God can “Heal the Sickness”
and God can be experienced by the “Oceanside”.
Three years later, with thirteen songs tracked and
mixed, Leif and Sal completed the CD. And with gusto,
Leif offers this final product in tribute to his
Hungarian grandfather – and with a mighty
“Spirit-filled” praise of God.
