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. 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.