The initial lineup of the Leaders was put together in 1983 by saxophonist
Chico Freeman and featured trumpeter
Don Cherry, alto saxophonist
Arthur Blythe, along with a rhythm section of pianist
Don Pullen, bassist
Cecil McBee, and drummer
Famoudou Don Moye. In the second incarnation of the Leaders in 1984, pianist
Don Pullen was replaced with
Hilton Ruiz. In 1985, the third and final incarnation of the Leaders, pianist
Hilton Ruiz was replaced by
Kirk Lightsey and trumpeter
Don Cherry was replaced by
Lester Bowie. [1] The Leaders released four albums in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The rhythm section also recorded one album on their own as The Leaders Trio (Heaven Dance, 1988).