Leonid Utesov: A bandleader and singer who was very important in the establishment of jazz in the Soviet Union.
Leonid Utesov: A bandleader and singer who was very important in the establishment of jazz in the Soviet Union. Many compare Utesov to Frank Sinatra, and I wouldn’t argue with that comparison. There is some controversy on whether or not he could be considered a jazz musician or just the 30s version of a pop musician. Nonetheless, an broad overlook of Soviet jazz musicians would be incomplete without at least a mention of Utesov.