About | Cast & Crew

BJ Leiderman

Born on Valentine's Day, 1956, in Norfolk, Virginia, BJ Leiderman was the only child of a musical family. He played in a variety of bands during high school and college, and it was while he was playing in one of these bands that he began writing jingles.

While studying broadcast journalism at American University in Washington DC, BJ was introduced to Jim Russell, the producer of an as-yet-unnamed morning show at NPR. Russell was looking for a way to transition NPR listeners musically from the classical sounds they'd been accustomed to hearing each morning to something that would take them into this exciting new program, which would be called "Morning Edition." BJ suggested an approach that began with a Baroque musical phrase, continued with a music-as-sound-effect "whoosh," and then segued into the main theme. The theme was given the green light and BJ's relationship with NPR was born.

BJ abandoned plans for a career in broadcast journalism in favor of touring, composing and recording (in fact, he believes he may be American University's oldest living senior). His professional credits include jingles and soundtrack packages for countless corporate and broadcast accounts, and music for many familiar public radio programs, including "Marketplace," "Weekend Edition," "Car Talk," and "Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me." In addition, BJ has worked as a writer (as in "copywriter") for clients as diverse as Nickelodeon, The Chris Rock Show, Fox Kids, Cartoon Network and The Christian Broadcasting Network.

Listeners who'd like to hear more of BJ's pop-rock persona can hear clips of his works-in-progress at www.mp3.com/bjleiderman, and visitors to BJ's Web site can stop by his "recording studio" to hear tracks as they are laid down, suggest material to be added, and have a glimpse into his creative process. Visit the site at www.bjleiderman.com.