David Leonhardt Trio - Explorations

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2008
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:37
Size: 138,7 MB
Art: Front

(6:03) 1. Whispers Of Contentment-Shouts Of Joy
(3:25) 2. While My Guitar Gently Sleeps
(5:40) 3. Your Song
(4:05) 4. Iberian Lament
(4:47) 5. Sunshine Of Your Love
(4:13) 6. Late Night Blues
(4:26) 7. Winter Waltz
(5:51) 8. Fire And Rain
(4:36) 9. Peace
(6:40) 10. The Dawn Over Morocco
(4:37) 11. Yesterday
(5:09) 12. Explorations

David Leonhardt has always been a jazz pianist first, while enamored with the realm of contemporary popular songs. This duality is reflected in this set of standards, originals, and rearrangements of well-known hit tunes. While one wonders if there is a real need to do numbers out of the repertoire of the Beatles, Elton John, Cream, and James Taylor, Leonhardt and his trio do them with a modified flair and at times a thoughtful repast. The extraordinary bassist Matthew Parrish and hot drummer Alvester Garnett help Leonhardt greatly in lifting all of these tracks to a higher interpretive level. The originals of the pianist are, to say the least, interesting. "Whispers of Contentment, Shouts of Joy" is a definitive spirit song, lovely in its Zen-like invention. "The Dawn Over Morocco" sports impending heavy dramatic modality leading to a brighter day, the title track is a free bop true to its title, and "Winter Waltz" a quicker ice skating number reminiscent of a Vince Guaraldi Charlie Brown tune.

"Late Night Blues" is pretty straitlaced, and "Iberian Lament" organic, pretty, and pensive. The trio does a splendid, sprinting version of the Jerome Kern standard "Yesterdays" moving quickly from sideline to sideline, and a gorgeous, near-perfect interpretation of Horace Silver's "Peace." Then there's the block chords and light Brazilian take of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," a waltz to the 4/4 saccharine "Your Song," a hard bopping and scattershot but barely recognizable "Sunshine of Your Love," and off-melody phrases but otherwise true to form "Fire & Rain." As honest, balanced, and flexible a musician as there is in jazz, Leonhardt and this truly excellent trio needs to be heard by a general populist mainstream audience, and likely stretch these tracks out in more intimate live performances.~ Michael G. Nastoshttps://www.allmusic.com/album/explorations-mw0001445560

Personnel: David Leonhardt (piano); Matthew Parrish (contrabbasso); Alvester Garnett (batteria).

Explorations

---

David 'Fathead' Newman - The Blessing

Styles: Saxophone And Flute Jazz
Year: 2009
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 55:10
Size: 138,7 MB
Art: Front

(6:23)  1. SKJ
(5:47)  2. Someone To Watch Over Me
(4:55)  3. As Time Goes By
(5:27)  4. Manha De Carnival
(6:33)  5. Smile
(7:31)  6. Romantic Night
(5:59)  7. Chelsea Bridge
(5:24)  8. Whispers Of Contentment
(7:07)  9. The Blessing

What an apt name The Blessing is for David Newman's final recording before his death ended a long career last January (2009). He played for more than a decade with Ray Charles and alongside Herbie Mann, Aretha Franklin and Roy Ayers, among many others. For this last studio session he was in fine form. A Milt Jackson gem, "SKJ," is the set's opener, Steve Nelson's vibes providing glowing cascades before Newman swings in with a solo as brief in its measured warmth as it is satisfying. Here too and throughout the set Peter Bernstein's guitar is vigorous in a style that is direct as it mixes blues and bebop. In Newman's blues-drenched take on Gershwin's "Someone To Watch Over Me" (which in moments has echoes of Duke Ellington's "In A Sentimental Mood"), again there is a dazzling display of colors and tones. He begins with a statement of the original tune, albeit with little turns, pauses and a warm, floating, utterly romantic sound.

Nelson is always there with just the subtlest echoes of the melody. Newman's tenor saxophone is as gentle as it is full-bodied, with nary a superfluous embellishment. David Leonhardt's piano solo leads perfectly into Newman's bridge and the final bars. It must be noted that Newman's brand of romanticism is never mushy or sentimental. His version of "As Times Goes By" is abetted by the brisk, crystal warmth of Nelson's vibes on the bridge. Newman is authoritative and yet relaxed and it segues into "Manha de Carnival," on which his sax, Nelson's vibes and Leonhardt's piano effect a subtle tension by both anticipating and playing after the beat. It is Leonhardt's own composition, "Romantic Night," that showcases Newman at a peak on the recording and brings out the best from all hands. 

Shifting between major and minor modes, it's a beautifully structured performance. Newman gives a textbook example of a veteran player who swings easily as he makes it feel so good, yet without ever allowing things to get too cozy. The closer is the title track, Newman's own tune, this time with him on flute. It's a gospel-tinged piece that closes the set on a funky, upbeat note. As with all of Newman's music, this piece could as aptly have been called "a gift."~ Andrew Velez https://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-blessing-david-fathead-newman-highnote-records-review-by-andrew-velez.php

Personnel: David "Fathead" Newman: tenor saxophone, flute;  Steve Nelson: vibes;  David Leonhardt: piano;  Peter Bernstein: guitar;  John Menegon: bass;  Yoron Israel: drums.

The Blessing

---

David Newman - Under a Woodstock Moon

Styles: Flute and Saxophone Jazz
Year: 1996
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 59:39
Size: 137,3 MB
Art: Front

(4:39)  1. Nature Boy
(5:18)  2. Amandla
(4:29)  3. Up Jumped Spring
(5:14)  4. Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most
(4:40)  5. Autumn in New York
(2:58)  6. Sky Blues
(4:59)  7. Another Kentucky Sunset
(4:58)  8. Summertime
(5:38)  9. Sunrise
(6:16) 10. A Nightingale Sang in Berkeley Square
(4:52) 11. Skylark
(5:32) 12. Under a Woodstock Moon

Veteran David Newman is heard in fine form on his excellent CD, switching between tenor, alto and flute. He is joined by a supportive rhythm section (which includes vibraphonist Brian Carrott and pianist David Leonhardt) and occasionally four strings for a cheerful set of ballads and originals. The project is listed as "a personal tribute to the rhythms of Mother Nature," and all of the song titles (other than the original calypso "Amandla") have something to do with either the seasons or the sky, but fortunately, the date is far from being a reverent set of new age music. In fact, despite the mostly relaxed tempos, it is one of David Newman's stronger straight-ahead efforts and is easily recommended, particularly for Newman's appealing tenor playing. Highlights include "Up Jumped Spring," "Spring Can Really Hang You Up the Most," "A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square," and the title cut. ~ Scott Yanow https://www.allmusic.com/album/under-a-woodstock-moon-mw0000597801

Personnel: David "Fathead" Newman (flute, alto saxophone, tenor saxophone); Matthew Raimondi (strings); David Leonhardt (piano); Bryan Carrott (vibraphone); Winard Harper (drums).

Under a Woodstock Moon

---

David Leonhardt Jazz Group - Plays Cole Porter

Styles: Piano Jazz
Year: 2011
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 57:03
Size: 141,2 MB
Art: Front

(4:25)  1. Love For Sale
(5:48)  2. Every Time We Say Goodbye
(4:51)  3. Just One of Those Things
(4:50)  4. Night and Day
(5:08)  5. In the Still of the Night
(3:59)  6. You'd Be So Nice To Come Home To
(4:17)  7. I've Got you Under My Skin
(5:59)  8. I Concentrate On You
(5:04)  9. It's All Right With Me
(4:24) 10. I Love You
(4:29) 11. All Of You
(3:44) 12. Get Out of Town

A towering figure in American musical history, Cole Porter's music has been performed by countless people and groups for decades, enduring to this day. Pianist/composer David Leonhardt is the latest artist to interpret the work of the legendary songwriter with a smart and snappy presentation on The David Leonhardt Jazz Group Plays Cole Porter. With plenty of music to choose from, Leonhardt selects six compositions from the 1940s and '50s, but was wise enough to fill the balance of the repertoire with charts from the '30s, Porter's most successful songwriting decade. Usually performing and recording with trios, the pianist expands his group to a quintet with New York singer Nancy Reed who adds a touch of class to the album. Pittsburgh native Paul Wells anchors the rhythms on drums. with Matthew Parrish providing tasteful bass lines. The star in Leonhardt's band, however, is 71 year-old Philadelphia legend Larry McKenna, one of the finest tenor saxophonists on the East coast, and the dean of Philadelphia reed men. The familiar 1930s standard "Love For Sale" opens the disc, featuring the pianist in a trio format, with McKenna and Reed sitting this one out but not for long, as the two contribute to the lovely ballad of "Every Time We Say Goodbye." On "Just One of Those Things," a gem of an instrumental piece, McKenna takes over the music with his superb phrases, aptly supported by Leonhardt. Reed sparkles on the classic "Night And Day," with McKenna filling the background as the singer scats a bit. 

Leonhardt comes out of his shell on "In The Still Of The Night," making a statement with his more than appreciable piano chops. Parrish and Reed perform a brief duet on the introduction of "I've Got You Under My Skin," before the rest of the group weigh in on a lovely piece. Another outstanding instrumental number is the immortal "I Concentrate On You," a showcase for both pianist and saxophonist alike. Other warm and delicate songs, interpreted brightly, are "I Love You" and the soft love ballad, "All of You." Leonhardt ends his Porter homage with 1938's "Get Out Of Town," closing the session as it began, in a classic piano trio format highlighting his style and swagger on the instrument. The David Leonhardt Jazz Group Plays Cole Porter is devoid of weak musical moments. Leonhardt has produced another creative album conveying the themes of love at which Porter was also so good with fresh new arrangements, making old classics sound almost like new. ~ Edward Blanco  http://www.allaboutjazz.com/the-david-leonhardt-jazz-group-plays-cole-porter-david-leonhardt-big-bang-records-review-by-edward-blanco.php
 

Personnel: David Leonhardt: piano; Nancy Reed: vocals; Larry McKenna: tenor saxophone; Matthew Parrish: bass; Paul Wells: drums.

Plays Cole Porter

---

David Leonhardt - Jazz For Dancers

Styles: Straight ahead Jazz, Mainstream Jazz
Year: 2000
File: MP3@320K/s
Time: 52:45
Size: 121,6 MB
Art: Front

(4:12)  1. Blues In The Night
(3:28)  2. On The Sunny Side Of The Street
(3:27)  3. Jammin' Slow Blues
(3:33)  4. Somewhere Over The Rainbow
(5:00)  5. Strike Up The Band
(5:15)  6. Cheek To Cheek
(3:58)  7. When I Fall In Love
(3:31)  8. That's All
(3:30)  9. Fly Me To The Moon
(3:35) 10. Georgia On My Mind
(4:30) 11. In A Mellow Tone
(4:22) 12. Quiet Nights Of Quiet Stars
(4:18) 13. Late Night Blues

If there is one word to describe the musical qualities of David Leonhardt, besides being talented, it's multicolored. This man is adept at all ways of presenting jazz music, running from small combo presentations of his own interesting compositions to Music Minus One-like training sessions for tap dancers, with the taps to be provided instead of an instrument. On this 2000 release, Leonhardt and his trio turn their attention to what they believe to be one of the original purposes of jazz music, dancing. Certainly that was true during the dark days of the Depression when people on the down and out could go to cheap halls and dance their woes away either in marathon dance contests or just for the fun of it. 

The music is designed to lure people to the dancefloor for three to five minutes of music that encourages tripping to the light fantastic in a civilized manner. There are tunes for slow, body-to-body dancing, such as "Cheek to Cheek," others calling for a little more individual expression such as a dancehall version of "Blues in the Night," as well as opportunities to show off Latin dancing skills with "Quiet Nights of Quiet Stars." All of this fine music is provided by the trio in a relaxed, elegant, non-threatening manner with Leonhardt getting solid support from Bruce Cox on drums and Lee Hudson on bass. One does not to be a Fred Astaire or a Michael Jackson to get up and weave to these lovely classic standards flawlessly performed. If one doesn't have the wherewithal to purchase a lot of albums, but is interested in hearing as many of the different types of jazz as possible, turning to Leonhardt's comprehensive discography is a reasonable option. ~ Dave Nathan  http://www.allmusic.com/album/jazz-for-dancers-mw0000018769

Jazz For Dancers

---

The David Leonhardt Jazz Group - Plays Gershwin

Bitrate: 320K/s
Time: 54:44
Size: 125.3 MB
Styles: Straight ahead jazz, Mainstream jazz
Year: 2000
Art: Front

[5:03] 1. Summertime
[4:18] 2. But Not For Me
[6:15] 3. The Man I Love
[4:54] 4. How Long Has This Been Going On
[3:56] 5. I've Got A Crush On You
[3:32] 6. They Can't Take That Away From Me
[4:47] 7. A Foggy Day
[3:18] 8. I Got Rhythm
[5:33] 9. Lady Be Good
[5:40] 10. Embraceable You
[3:03] 11. S'wonderful
[4:19] 12. Our Love Is Here To Stay

Pennsylvania-based David Leonhardt Jazz Group, noted for its presentation of both straight and modern jazz, eschews the latter on this CD turning its considerable talents and energy to the music of the Gershwin Brothers. One of the Group's stalwarts, Village Vanguard Orch. veteran Ralph Lalama, sets aside his hard bop sax as he revels in the tenderer arrangements of these classic entries from the Great American Songbook. The rhythm section of bassist Paul Rostock and drummer Tom Melito go beyond the usual role of keeping the beat, especially Melito. He is an active participant with solos, contributing punctuating rim shots and cymbal play on almost every cut, going far beyond routine time keeping as on "S'Wonderful". In doing so, he adds a level of excitement that otherwise would be missing. Rostock burns brightly on "A Foggy Day" where he is the principal backing for singer Nancy Reed.

It is the lyrical pianism of David Leonhardt and the articulate vocalizing of long time collaborator Reed which lifts this album out of the drudgery of the ordinary. Leonhardt has been on the scene for more than 25 years, having played with many a stellar jazz performer. Reed excels here not only as a soloist, but as a background singer where she her voice assumes the role as an instrument. The Leonhardt/Reed offering of "Embraceable You" is as sincere a rendering as one will find of this Gershwin classic. The years these two have worked together is evident in the intimacy embedded in their approach to this song in particular and throughout the session generally. Lalama's sax comes in on the last chorus with his tenor noodling soulfully behind Reed accenting the mood created by Leonhardt's piano. A similar situation is found with "The Man I Love", this time with Lalama's sax being a bit more assertive without becoming overly demanding. This is outstanding work.

Plays Gershwin is Leonhardt's 5th album for his Big Bang label. Dilettantes and other assorted naysayers will moan that the last thing we need is another "plays Gershwin" album. But as this fine effort reveals, that position as always is shortsighted as Mr. Leonhardt's group gives refreshing insight to the music of George and Ira Gershwin. Happily recommended. ~David Nathan

David Leonhardt - Piano/Leader; Nancy Reed - Vocals; Ralph Lalama - Tenor Saxophone; Paul Rostock - Bass; Tom Melito - Drums

Plays Gershwin

---