John Lefebvre
Encyclopedia
John Lefebvre is a Canadian musician
, composer
, entrepreneur
, retired lawyer
and philanthropist
currently active as a songwriter, touring performer, and recording artist—as well as an activist and advocate who has made extensive contributions to the dialogue surrounding climate change
issues.
In 2007, he composed and recorded a double CD album entitled Psalngs with the help of the legendary record producer Brian Ahern
, whose previous credits include producing records by Emmylou Harris
, Marty Robbins
, George Jones
and Ricky Skaggs
. This was John's first effort as a solo artist. Ahern gathered a skookum studio band for the album, which included Jim Keltner
, Hutch Hutchinson, Greg Leisz
, Patrick Warren, Dean Parks
, Al Kooper
, Matt Rollings
and Mac McAnally
. The players regrouped with Lefebvre and Ahern in the spring of 2010 to record Lefebvre's second solo effort, The Initial Album, scheduled for release in fall 2010.
As an environmental advocate, Lefebvre is a chief benefactor of DeSmogBlog.com, a whistleblower blog run by Vancouver public relations specialist James Hoggan. The site's focus is on exposing those who deny the effects of fossil fuel upon the world's climate while covertly working on behalf of fossil fuel producers. John is among the blog's most active commentators, in addition to substantial writing in other forums including social media. His at times blunt outspokenness on environmental issues is well documented. In addition, since July 2009 Lefebvre has served as a director of the David Suzuki Foundation and is also a continuing supporter of the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education
, a Vancouver-based institution focused upon the teachings of Dalai Lama and “education of the heart.”
Lefevre first garnered public attention in 1999, when he co-founded NETeller
(now known as Neovia), an online money transfer facility. Though a publicly traded UK company, the firm's involvement in transactions serving the then-fledgling online gambling
sector led to U.S. charges of possible money laundering against the company and his arrest in January 2007. Lefebvre's full cooperation with the investigation from the beginning resulted in a substantial forfeiture of funds in addition to lesser charges and he continues to be free pending resolution.
Musician
A musician is an artist who plays a musical instrument. It may or may not be the person's profession. Musicians can be classified by their roles in performing music and writing music.Also....* A person who makes music a profession....
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
, entrepreneur
Entrepreneur
An entrepreneur is an owner or manager of a business enterprise who makes money through risk and initiative.The term was originally a loanword from French and was first defined by the Irish-French economist Richard Cantillon. Entrepreneur in English is a term applied to a person who is willing to...
, retired lawyer
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and philanthropist
Philanthropist
A philanthropist is someone who engages in philanthropy; that is, someone who donates his or her time, money, and/or reputation to charitable causes...
currently active as a songwriter, touring performer, and recording artist—as well as an activist and advocate who has made extensive contributions to the dialogue surrounding climate change
Climate change
Climate change is a significant and lasting change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods ranging from decades to millions of years. It may be a change in average weather conditions or the distribution of events around that average...
issues.
In 2007, he composed and recorded a double CD album entitled Psalngs with the help of the legendary record producer Brian Ahern
Brian Ahern
Brian Ahern , is a former Scottish football midfielder.Ahern is best known for his time at Clyde, where he holds the current record for most league appearances in the history of the club, at 420 appearances. He made 504 appearances in all competitions...
, whose previous credits include producing records by Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris
Emmylou Harris is an American singer-songwriter and musician. In addition to her work as a solo artist and bandleader, both as an interpreter of other composers' works and as a singer-songwriter, she is a sought-after backing vocalist and duet partner, working with numerous other artists including...
, Marty Robbins
Marty Robbins
Martin David Robinson , known professionally as Marty Robbins, was an American singer, songwriter, and multi-instrumentalist...
, George Jones
George Jones
George Glenn Jones is an American country music singer known for his long list of hit records, his distinctive voice and phrasing, and his marriage to Tammy Wynette....
and Ricky Skaggs
Ricky Skaggs
Rickie Lee "Ricky" Skaggs is a country and bluegrass singer, musician, producer, and composer. He primarily plays mandolin; however, he also plays fiddle, guitar, and banjo.-Early career:...
. This was John's first effort as a solo artist. Ahern gathered a skookum studio band for the album, which included Jim Keltner
Jim Keltner
James Lee "Jim" Keltner is an American drummer known primarily for his session work. He has contributed to the work of many well-known artists...
, Hutch Hutchinson, Greg Leisz
Greg Leisz
Greg Leisz is an American multi-instrumentalist, playing lap and pedal steel guitars, guitar, mandolin, and bass.- Biography :Leisz was influenced early on by the Byrds and Flying Burrito Brothers, especially pedal steel player "Sneaky" Pete Kleinow...
, Patrick Warren, Dean Parks
Dean Parks
Dean Parks is an American session guitarist and record producer from Ft. Worth, TX.-Albums:Dean was member of The North Texas State One O'clock Lab Band before moving to Los Angeles to work with Sonny and Cher in 1970. Dean is best-known through his many contributions to albums by Steely Dan...
, Al Kooper
Al Kooper
Al Kooper is an American songwriter, record producer and musician, known for organizing Blood, Sweat & Tears , providing studio support for Bob Dylan when he went electric in 1965, and also bringing together guitarists Mike Bloomfield and Stephen Stills to...
, Matt Rollings
Matt Rollings
Matt Rollings is an American composer, musician and record producer. He plays piano, organ, and keyboards.Known mainly for playing in Lyle Lovett's Large Band, he has worked with many artists, not all country...
and Mac McAnally
Mac McAnally
Lyman Corbitt "Mac" McAnally, Jr. is an American country music singer-songwriter, session musician and record producer. In his career, he has recorded ten studio albums and eight singles. Two of his singles were hits on the Billboard Hot 100, and six more on the Hot Country Songs charts...
. The players regrouped with Lefebvre and Ahern in the spring of 2010 to record Lefebvre's second solo effort, The Initial Album, scheduled for release in fall 2010.
As an environmental advocate, Lefebvre is a chief benefactor of DeSmogBlog.com, a whistleblower blog run by Vancouver public relations specialist James Hoggan. The site's focus is on exposing those who deny the effects of fossil fuel upon the world's climate while covertly working on behalf of fossil fuel producers. John is among the blog's most active commentators, in addition to substantial writing in other forums including social media. His at times blunt outspokenness on environmental issues is well documented. In addition, since July 2009 Lefebvre has served as a director of the David Suzuki Foundation and is also a continuing supporter of the Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education
Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education
The Dalai Lama Center for Peace and Education is an international charitable organization and education center located in Vancouver, Canada. Established in 2005, the center describes its mission as "educating the heart and fostering compassion through creative learning, facilitating and applying...
, a Vancouver-based institution focused upon the teachings of Dalai Lama and “education of the heart.”
Lefevre first garnered public attention in 1999, when he co-founded NETeller
Neteller
Optimal Payments PLC, formerly known as Neovia Financial PLC, is a British global payments company based in the Isle of Man and regulated in the United Kingdom...
(now known as Neovia), an online money transfer facility. Though a publicly traded UK company, the firm's involvement in transactions serving the then-fledgling online gambling
Online gambling
Online gambling, also known as Internet gambling and iGambling, is a general term for gambling using the Internet.-Online poker:Online poker tables commonly offer Texas hold 'em, Omaha, Seven-card stud, razz, HORSE and other game types in both tournament and ring game structures...
sector led to U.S. charges of possible money laundering against the company and his arrest in January 2007. Lefebvre's full cooperation with the investigation from the beginning resulted in a substantial forfeiture of funds in addition to lesser charges and he continues to be free pending resolution.