photo by brittany long
About.
Leon Kechayas is a dedicated live touring and studio session drummer based in Melbourne, Australia.
With foundations through a family of musicians & studying with drumming legends such as Dave Weckl, Gregg Bisonette, Virgil Donati, Daniel Glass, Dom Famularo, Frank Corniola, Damian Corniola & more, a career in the music industry was naturally forged.
In 2011 Leon won 'Australia’s Best Up & Coming Drummer Competition' in the Intermediate age category and gained notoriety amongst many local and international drummers who were featured at the AUDW (Australia's Ultimate Drummers Weekend) that year. This helped land Leon's first endorsement deals with Zildjian Cymbals & VicFirth Drumsticks at only 14 years of age. Fast forward a few more years, Leon finished high school and went straight into teaching at multiple schools in Melbourne and touring around Australia with one of his first bands. These early years helped shape Leon as a player and gained him an immense amount of experience in the music industry.
Leon has since gone on to tour with a variety of artists and bands, having the privilege of shaping an incredible career to date. Performing across Australia & New Zealand multiple times a year, within the last 3 years alone Leon has performed at iconic venues including; Melbourne Cricket Ground (largest stadium in the southern hemisphere), Marvel Stadium, Accor Stadium, John Cain Arena, Margaret Court Arena, Palais Theatre, Athenaeum Theatre, State Theatre, Enmore Theatre, Her Majesty’s Theatre Adelaide, Thebarton Theatre, Astor Theatre, Princess Theatre, Eden Park Stadium in Auckland & many more.
In late 2023 Leon joined Reece Mastin (2011 X-Factor Australia Winner) and has been touring extensively throughout Australia & New Zealand on the 'Kick Up A Fuss' & 'One Night Stands' tours in 2024/2025.
Leon also joined Emmanuel Kelly in late 2024, supporting Coldplay for 11 shows across Melbourne, Sydney & Auckland on their 'Music Of The Spheres' World Tour - the longest and highest grossing tour in music history.
​
Other notable artists Leon has toured and recorded with include Isaiah Firebrace (2016 X-Factor Australia Winner), Goanna, Colin Hay (Men At Work), James Johnston, Tones And I (x6 Platinum Artist & x5 Aria Award Winner), Conrad Sewell, Kennyon Brown (USA), Jordan Astra (CANADA), Fatai, Soli, Tanya George, Blush’Ko, Jackson Thomas, Barry Conrad, Harrison Craig (2013 The Voice Australia Winner), Darlinghurst, Big T & many more, even appearing in TV ads and films such as Robbie Williams' biopic 'Better Man' which was released in late 2024.
Leon is proud to exclusively endorse DW Drums, Promark Drumsticks, Evans Drumheads & Meinl Cymbals.
​
​
