Primary Instrument: Trumpet
Born into a musical family, Michael Leonhart has developed into one of the most imaginative musicians of his time, sought throughout the music and entertainment world as a trumpet player, producer, multi-instrumentalist, composer, arranger and singer-songwriter.
As a solo artist Michael has released six albums -- “Aardvark Poses” (1995), “Glub Glub vol. 11” (1997), and “Slow” (2002) all on the Sunnyside label; “The Suzy Lattimore EP” (2005) & “The Ballad of Minton Quigley “(2006) self released and 2008's “Hotel Music” on limited edition vinyl with hand painted covers released through St. Ives (an imprint of Secretly Canadian). He has composed and performed music for movies, television, dance, fashion shows and theater, and has appeared on over 100 albums.
At age 17, Michael was honored as the youngest Grammy recipient in history, cited as the most outstanding musician in a U.S. high school. That same year ABC World News named him “Person of the Week”.
Michael has performed with Steely Dan since 1996, recording two albums with them, including 2000's Grammy winning Album of the Year “Two Against Nature” on which he was a featured soloist, arranger and conductor. He has performed and/or recorded with such diverse artists as A Tribe Called Quest, Arif Mardin, Arto Linsday, Bill Frisell, Bill Withers, Bobby McFerrin, Bonnie Raitt, Brian Eno, Busta Rhymes, Caetano Veloso, D.J. Spooky, David Byrne, Henry Mancini, James Brown, John Barry, Joshua Redman, Lenny Kravitz, Levon Helm, Mark Ronson, Michael McDonald, Mos Def, Natalie Merchant, Q-Tip, Raekwon (Wutang Clan), Slash (Guns and Roses/ Velvet Revolver), Steven Tyler (Aerosmith), Todd Rundgren, and Wynton Marsalis.
Most recently, Michael recorded with Yoko Ono as a featured member of the Plastic Ono Band for her upcoming album, “Between My Head and the Sky”. Michael also appears on upcoming albums by Sharon Jones and the Dapkings, Foreigner, Sean Lennon, and Yuka Honda (Cibo Matto).
After 40 plus recordings as the house trumpet player for Truth and Soul records, the Brooklyn based funk and soul label will release Leonhart's heavy-funk concept album “Seahorse and the Storyteller” late this year.
Sam Sadigursky, Words Project III Miniatures (New Amsterdam Records, 2010) Michael Leonhart, Hotel Music (St. Ives, 2008)
Michael Leonhart, The Battle of Milton Quigley (2006)
Michael Leonhart, The Suzy Lattimore EP (self-produced, 2005)
Steve Tyrell, This Guy's In Love (Columbia, 2003)
Michael Leonhart, Slow (Sunny Side, 2002)
Barry Wallenstein, Tony's Blues (Cadence Jazz Records, 2001)
Steely Dan, Two Against Nature (Giant Records, 2000)
Vinicius Cantuária, Tucumã (Verve, 1999)
Michael Leonhart, Glub Glub vol. 11 (Sunny Side, 1997)
Michael Leonhart, Aardvark Poses (Sunny Side, 1995)
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