David Leonhardt

The David Leonhardt Jazz Group: The David Leonhardt Jazz Group Plays Cole Porter

by Edward Blanco
May 15, 2011

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 ...

David Leonhardt: Bach to The Blues

by Ernest Barteldes
July 9, 2010

Veteran pianist David Leonhardt has often improvised around classical melodies in a live format, and now he finally commits an entire disc to tunes by Debussy, Bach, Beethoven and others. Backed by his working trio, the pianist gets things started with Bach's “Prelude in C Major" alternating the tempo between andante and another more suitable tempo with a straight-ahead beat.

He also tackles Schubert's popular “Ave Maria," playing it straight without adding much to it. Bassist Matthew Parrish ...

David Leonhardt Trio: Bach to the Blues

by Ian Patterson
July 7, 2010

Pianist David Leonhardt's sideman credentials are impeccable, with ten years supporting the great jazz singer Jon Hendricks and twenty with Ray Charles' longstanding saxophonist, David “Fathead" Newman. Bach to the Blues, his twentieth album as a leader, may not radically alter his status as a respected but lesser known veteran, but the subtle pleasures it provides and its obvious classical/jazz crossover appeal should expose him to a wider, appreciative audience. The title is something of a misnomer, as most tracks ...

David Leonhardt Trio: Bach to the Blues

by C. Michael Bailey
April 7, 2010

Pianist David Leonhardt takes a right turn directly into Jacques Loussier territory with the release of Bach to the Blues. Loussier has made his career arranging jazz interpretations of Bach, Handel, Mozart, and Beethoven. His arranging and playing are characterized by a crystalline precision while often sacrificing space for improvisation. Leonhardt loosens the laces a bit, allowing not only for more fertile solo ground, but also introduces whimsy into his arrangements.

Leonhardt also expands the classical-jazz repertoire with Aaron Copland's ...

The David Leonhardt Trio: Bach to the Blues

by Edward Blanco
December 17, 2009

Pianist David Leonhardt presents a tasteful marriage of classical music and jazz, sprinkled with a touch of the blues on Bach to the Blues, an improvisational statement on classical themes that is surprisingly entertaining. Leonhardt reinterprets the music of Bach, Schubert, Beethoven, Chopin, and others with a creative improvisational approach producing a texture of light classical jazz that is most enjoyable. With bassist Matthew Parrish and drummer Alvester Garnett, The David Leonhardt Trio offers eleven pieces from eight great composers ...

The David Leonhardt Jazz Group: I'll Be Home for Christmas

by Jim Santella
November 12, 2005

With a casual atmosphere that recalls long winter evenings at your favorite nightclub, David Leonhardt and his musical partners interpret this program of holiday favorites in the jazz tradition. The pianist brings a warm glow to each song. They're exciting, and yet Leonhardt manages to put more into each piece than is usually found this time of the year. He fashions each interpretation so that it stands out as an improvised work that the group can explore thoroughly. Together, they ...

David Leonhardt Jazz Group: Plays Gershwin

by Dave Nathan
December 1, 2000

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 ...

David Leonhardt's Piano and Band Play Cole Porter

Source: Gapplegate Music Review by Grego Edwards
September 14, 2011

Looking at the selection of 12 songs played by pianist David Leonhardt and his group on Plays Cole Porter (Big Bang BBR9584), you are immediately reminded of how central Porter's best songs have become in the standard jazz repertoire. These songs have served as excellent vehicles for many of the bop and after masters. So what can Dave Leonhardt and his entourage do that hasn't been done before? The answer is that David sums up the sorts of treatments pianists ...
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WGLT Interviews David Leonhardt

Source: Kari-On Productions
February 13, 2010

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David Leonhardt Charts at CMJ #29 with "Bach to the Blues"

Source: Kari-On Productions
January 29, 2010

David Leonhardt Charts with Bach to the Blues 2 weeks into promotions - Congrats David!

CMJ Jazz issue #1136

TWLW2WPKWKSArtistRecordingLabel13316DANA HALLInto The LightOrigin221112BEN ALLISONThink FreePalmetto312110VIJAY IYER TRIOHistoricityACT4131046WAYNE ESCOFFERYUptownPositone510446JOHN COLTRANESide StepsConcord68-63JACQUES SCHWARZ-BARTAbyssObliqSound75657MIGUEL ZENONEsta PlenaMarsalis89767WADADA LEO SMITHSpiritual DimensionsCuneiform9-1878MULATU ASTATKENew York - Addis - London The Story Of Ethio Jazz 1965-1975Strut1071678KAT EDMONSONTake To The Sky111127115OLIVER JONES AND HANK JONESPleased To Meet YouJustin Time1217995NORAH JONESThe FallBlue Note136838HENRY THREADGILL ZOOIDThis Brings Us ToPi14--141ANTONIO CIACCALagos BluesMotema15--151ABDULLAH IBRAHIM AND WDR BIG BAND COLOGNEBombellaSunnyside1633-162JULIAN YEODeep Purple DreamsYeomo1745113PONCHO SANCHEZPsychedelic ...
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David Leonhardt Goes Chartbound at JazzWeek

Source: Kari-On Productions
January 25, 2010

David Leonhardt's new CD Bach to the Blues goes Chartbound at Jazzweek the first week in promotion.

One of David's innovative ideas is to play live jazz at a Yoga studio while students are taking a class, this creative idea is bringing business to the Yoga center and is exposing new fan's to the wonderful offering of delight jazz has to offer.

This is only one of David's innovative ideas, he has also created Jazz For Kids, Bach To The ...
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Pianist David Leonhardt Releases "Bach to the Blues"

Source: Kari-On Productions
November 8, 2009

You may know that David Leonhardt has 38 years of professional experience with many of the top names in jazz from Benny Carter to Stan Getz. You may not know: he played for twenty five years with David “Fathead" Newman recording and arranging 5 CDs ; spent four years as musical director for jazz vocalist Jon Hendricks touring the world; spent twelve years freelancing in New York City, Broadway to the Today Show, jazz clubs to dance halls, Bar Mitzvahs ...
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David Leonhardt Upcoming Performances

Source: Jim Eigo, Jazz Promo Services
May 27, 2007

June 1 David Leonhardt with Fathead Newman at The Deer Head Inn in Delaware Water Gap, PA at 7:00- 11:00, playing songs from their new CD “Life" June 8 David Leonhardt Trio atThe Deer Head Inn 7:00-11:00 Delaware Water Gap, PA June 10 David Leonhardt in Concert w/ Shelley Oliver Tap Dance Virtuoso atMason District Park Annandale, VA June 15 David Leonhardt Trio in concert at Royal Lake Park, Fairfax, VA “David ...
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David Leonhardt Jazz Group and Shelley Oliver Tap Dancers in Baltimore Sept. 27-29

Source: All About Jazz
September 22, 2006

The David Leonhardt Jazz Group and The Shelley Oliver Tap Dancers will perform together September 27-29 at The Wharf Rat at Camden Yards, Baltimore during the PAE conference.

Giving a rare performance in a intimate club setting, these remarkable groups will appear during the Performing Arts Exchange Conference in Baltimore. The Wharf Rat is directly across from The Convention Center on Pratt Street. Combining five musicians and four female tap dancers, Shelley's stunning choreography ...
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Pianist David Leonhardt's Upcoming Trio Appearances

Source: All About Jazz
April 19, 2006

April 21 In concert at The Bucks County Community College An Evening Of Gershwin 275 Swamp Road, Newtown PA. Call 215-968-8087. http://www.bucks.edu/cultural

David Leonhardt is featured in an in depth interview in the March issue of Cadence Jazz magazine. Wow!

http://www.davidjazz.com July 7 David Leonhardt trio at The Deer Head Inn w/ David Fathead Newmanhttp://www.deerheadinn.com

July 13-16 Iridium Jazz Club New York city w/ David Fathead Newman http://www.iridiumjazzclub.com

David Leonhardt jazz pianist and composer is featured on the new David ...
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David Leonhardt Upcoming Appearances

Source: All About Jazz
March 9, 2006

Jazz Pianist and composer David Leonhardt is featured in an in depth interview in the March issue of Cadence Jazz Magazine.

David Leonhardt Upcoming Appearances: Friday, March 10 The David Leonhardt Jazz Group An Evening Of Gershwin at Frostburg Sate University in Maryland http://ces.frostburg.edu March 17, 18, 19 The David Leonhardt Jazz Group In concert with The Shelley Oliver Tap Dancers at Muhlenberg College, Allentown, Pennsylvania ...
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David Leonhardt Jazz Group Concert Schedule

Source: All About Jazz
February 25, 2006

February 25, 2006 To: Listings/Critics/Features From: JAZZ PROMO SERVICES David Leonhardt Jazz Group Concert Schedule February 22-25 The David Leonhardt Jazz Group in residency at The Cumberland County Community College Vineland NJ with workshops, An Evening Of Gershwin concert 2/24, and a Jazz For Kids Concert 2/25. www.cccnj.net/fpac/events.cfm February 26 The David Leonhardt Jazz Group at The Butler County Community College in concert near Pittsburgh, PA. www.bc3.edu/ culturalctr/singleshowtickets.htm February 27 The David Leonhardt Jazz Group Jazz For Kids concert Butler ...
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