Leon Michels

American multi-instrumentalist and band leader of [a=El Michels Affair]. Born in 1982, based in New York City. Prolific producer, writer, arranger, and session musician since the late 1990s. Co-founded [l=Big Crown Records] and [l=Truth & Soul], after contributing to releases from [l=Soul Fire] and [l=Desco Records]. Co-owner of [l=The Diamond Mine] and sole owner of [l=Diamond Mine North].

Michels is a founding member of soul and funk bands Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Menahan Street Band, and Lee Fields & The Expressions, and has played with Charles Bradley as well as Wu-Tang Clan. A frequent collaborator of Dan Auerbach, Michels was a touring member of The Black Keys and co-founded The Arcs. As a producer, Michels has produced records for artists such as Norah Jones, Lee Fields and many others.