Denver-based artist Leandro Albertoni — better known by his musical name San Leandro — has spent much of his life in the company of greats. Having worked with legends such as Eddie Roberts (of The New Mastersounds), Andy Frasco, Neal Francis and blues legend Buddy Guy, Albertoni has had the unique opportunity to watch and learn from some of the most impactful musicians working today. Now, Albertoni is taking all that he’s learned and beginning to pave his own way. After many years as a session musician, he’s finally ready to step out on his own, no longer interpreting other musicians’ songs and instead putting his own work out into the world. So far, he’s released two singles, “Dive” and “Time Moves On,” and they both feel incredibly polished, confident and, above all, groovy as hell. They precede Albertoni’s upcoming album Dive, set to release September 18th and are the first glimpses into the early career of someone poised to be a major artist.
Ahead of his July 10th show at Cervantes’ Masterpiece Ballroom supporting The Pamlico Sound and Midnight Soulbirds, Denver Dive recently spoke with Albertoni about his musical roots, learning from legends, his upcoming album Dive and much more.
READ: Album Review — Chroma Lips Claim Their Territory With Debut Album “chromaZone”
Denver Dive: Hello! I usually like to start these off by having you tell me a little bit about who you are and what you do in your own words.
Leandro Albertoni: I’m Leandro Albertoni and I write, produce and perform music under the name San Leandro. At its core, it’s a project built around songs, groove and atmosphere. I grew up playing by ear and learned music from being around other musicians, especially in blues and R&B settings, so I’ve always been drawn to music that feels lived-in rather than overly polished. San Leandro is really my way of bringing together everything I love: vintage keyboards, soulful rhythm sections, introspective songwriting and the feeling of a band breathing together in a room.
DD: I also like to take it all the way back in the day. Tell me a little about the early days of getting into music in the first place. Do you have any memories or stories of it truly catching your attention? Was there music your family played around the house or any early experience that you had?
LA: I grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, and music was always around but I wasn’t really the kid taking formal lessons and reading charts. What hooked me was hearing people play live. I started hanging around local blues jams when I was still in high school and would sit in on Hammond organ and electric piano whenever I got the chance. I learned by watching, listening, and trying to imitate what I heard. A lot of my musical education came from guitar players and horn players rather than piano teachers. I remember realizing pretty early that music was less about getting the notes right and more about making people feel something. That was the moment it really grabbed me.
DD: When did you start playing and pursuing music professionally?
LA: I started playing gigs professionally in my late teens. By the time most of my friends were figuring out college plans, I was already traveling around the Midwest with original artists and playing bars, clubs, and festivals. I eventually made the decision to skip college and commit fully to the bandstand. That led to years of freelancing as a keyboard player and eventually moving to Chicago in 2022 where I got deeper into the blues scene and started touring with artists like Toronzo Cannon.
DD: Tell me about how the San Leandro project came about.
LA: San Leandro started when I realized I wanted to make original music that reflected my own experiences instead of just interpreting other people’s songs. The name comes from my first name, Leandro, but it’s also a nod to my family’s California roots. My family once operated a dairy farm in what is now Carson, California and there’s still an Albertoni Street there today. I liked the idea of creating a project that carried some of that history with it. When I moved to Denver in 2023, I found a community of musicians who were equally interested in groove, improvisation, and songwriting, and the project really started to take shape.
DD: I know you’ve worked with some of the best in the business like Neal Francis, Eddie Roberts, Andy Frasco. How does it feel to be pursuing your own project after working with such legends?
LA: Honestly, it’s inspiring more than intimidating. Working with people like Neal Francis, Eddie Roberts, Andy Frasco, Buddy Guy and a lot of other incredible musicians showed me what a real musical life looks like. You see the level of commitment, the work ethic and the way they trust their own voice. Those experiences gave me confidence to lean into my own ideas instead of trying to fit into someone else’s lane. I still feel like I’m learning every day, but now I’m applying those lessons to something that feels very personal.
DD: I find your sound to be so rich and warm, psychedelic but inviting, groovy, propulsive. Tell me about how you arrived at your sound.
LA: A lot of it comes from being obsessed with records from the ’70s. I love the warmth of West Coast soul, the pocket of great funk records, and the way older recordings leave room for air and texture. At the same time, I’m drawn to modern indie songwriting and artists who aren’t afraid to be vulnerable. So the goal became finding a place where groove and reflection could coexist. I want the music to feel good in your body first, but then reveal more emotionally the longer you sit with it.
DD: I know you’re currently working on your debut album. How’s the process going? Anything you can tell me about the album?
LA: The album is called Dive, and it comes out September 18, 2026. We’re in the final stretch now, which is exciting and slightly terrifying. It’s an eight-song record that explores renewal, illusion, self-doubt, and the search for conviction. Songs like “Receive, which drops Friday, July 17” and “Fractures” (out on August 14) deal with questioning systems and questioning yourself, while the title track “Dive” is more about letting go of control and rediscovering wonder. Sonically it’s very much a live-band record with vintage keyboards, real rhythm-section interplay, and a lot of attention to feel. Noam Wallenberg, who has worked with Vulfpeck, is mixing and mastering it, and he’s done an incredible job preserving the warmth and dynamics of the performances.
DD: You’re playing Cervantes’ Otherside on Friday. What can people expect from the show? Any surprises in store?
LA: People can expect a lot of groove and a lot of improvisation. We’re going to be playing material from Dive, including some songs that haven’t been fully released yet, and stretching them out live. The band right now feels really locked in, so the goal is to create a show that feels less like a recital and more like a shared experience. There may be a few unreleased tracks and some extended jams that won’t sound the same way twice.
DD: This is a broad question I like to ask. Feel free to answer however you’d like. Do you have a philosophy when it comes to creation?
LA: I think my philosophy is that creation starts with paying attention. Most songs come from noticing something you almost missed: a feeling, a contradiction, a conversation, a moment of doubt. I don’t really believe in forcing inspiration. I believe in showing up consistently and staying curious long enough for something honest to emerge. The older I get, the less interested I am in impressing people and the more interested I am in making music that feels true. If a song can help someone feel a little less alone, that’s usually enough for me.
DD: Finally, is there anything else on the horizon you’d like to mention? Anyone to shout out?
LA: My debut album Dive is coming out via Color Red Records in Denver on September 18th, with a handful of singles coming out before then, keep an eye out for those! I want to give a big shout out to my band members and Color Red!
Get tickets to San Leandro’s Cervantes’ show with The Pamlico Sound and Midnight Soulbirds here!
Stream “Dive” and “Time Moves On” here!
