Jay Leonhart Trio
New York City, New York, United States | Established. Jan 01, 2015 | INDIE | AFM
Music
Press
"Add Jay Leonhart to the small, very exclusive list of jazz humorists..."
--Don Heckman, LA Times - Los Angeles Times
"Leonhart is the Fred Astaire of jazz a craftsman so seamlessly smooth that casual observers often fail to grasp the immensity of his talent. As a bass player, Leonhart's in the same exalted league as his mentor, teacher and musical hero, Ray Brown. As a vocalist, he remains, much like Astaire, significantly underappreciated."
--Christopher Loudon, JazzTimes - Jazz Times magazine
" Now if you really want to know about string bass players, or just have
a hour of great fun with an ace musician and clever lyricist, check out
"The Bass Lesson" a DVD by Jay Leonhart. Usually known for backing
singers like Sinatra, Peggy Lee or Dizzy Gillespie, Leonhart writes
satirical songs in the manner of Tom Lehrer or Bob Dorough ? whose voice
his resembles. His one-man show, an autobiography with some hilarious
moments, travels the country, but he recorded a New York performance last
year and now anyone can have him in their home and enjoy it over again.
The show consists of Leonhart on stage with just his bass. It may sound
strange but it works. Last month I found some ukulele gems. This month
it?s the bass. You can learn more and order copies at
www.jayleonhart.com. Highly recommended!" Steve Ramm, "Anything
Phonographic" cyber reviews - Steve Ramm "Anything Phonographic"
"Good stuff, all of it, the product of a whimsical imagination combined with artfully understated musical virtuosity."
Don Heckman LA Times - Los Angeles Times
"If you could stuff Dave Frishberg, Mose Allison, and Jon Hendricks
into a blender, out would come Jay Leonhart."
Harvey Siders.. Jazz Times Magazine. - Jazz Times Magazine
"Add Jay Leonhart to the small, very exclusive list of jazz humorists...
in the upper echelon of a group that includes Oscar Brown Jr., Dave
Frishberg and Bob Dorough....hilarious" Don Heckman LA Times - Los Angeles Times
"What I learned at "The Bass Lesson" is that Jay Leonhart is a masterful
entertainer. His show is hilarious and superbly-paced, underpinned
throughout with his unabashed love of jazz, and his respect for the great
bassists who were his mentors. It's a sheer delight on every level." Max
Morath - Max Morath
Discography
Jay Leonhart CDs include:
All Available on CDBaby
http://cdbaby.com/cd/jayleonhart
"The Bass Lesson" DVD Chancellor Music
"Salamander Pie" - Digital Music Products (DMP)
"There's Gonnna Be Trouble" - Sunnyside Records "The Double Cross" - Sunnyside Records
"Life Out on the Road - Chancellor Music Label
"Two Lane Highways" - Chancellor Music Label
"Jay Leonhart with His Friends at Fat Tuesdays" - DRG Records
"Galaxies and Planets" - Sons of Sound Recordings "Great Duets" - Chiaroscuro
"15 Plays Monk" - Jay Leonhart and Peter Bernstein
"This Rhythm on My Mind" Jay Leonhart and Wycliffe Gordon
Photos
Bio
Jay Leonhart found himself sitting next to Leonard Bernstein in first class on TWA as they both flew to Los Angeles. After the shock and awe wore off (Jay's, not Lenny's) the two engaged in a wonderful cross country conversation that covered every possible topic. A few months later Jay wrote "Me and Lenny" which has since become known by jazz fans worldwide. Tony Bennett has even told Jay that "Me and Lenny" is Jay's "San Francisco" and that he should perform it everywhere he goes.
When Jay appeared on David Letterman, Paul Schaeffer wanted to know more of the juicy Lenny details, hoping for an Inquirer scoop. But Jay simply referred him to the song. Such a classy guy.
Jay Leonhart has played the bass violin since he was thirteen years old and played for most of the music icons of the 20th century, and is now working on those of the 21st century. He has been recognized in countless jazz polls and has received numerous recording industry awards.
He has performed with a large number of famous pop groups, and jazz singers, from Judy Garland to Mel Torme. Steely Dan to Sting, Maureen McGovern to Michael Feinstein, James Taylor to Carly Simon.
And many inbetween.
Jay has performed at the White House many times and looks forward to returning to The White House after a current six year respite (two to go, no doubt).
For why Jay is not a current White House favorite See "Nukular" on youtube:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnFvxyM9EAQ
But Jay is primarily a humorous and insightful and very original songwriter.
A promotional copy of "The Bass Lesson" DVD can be mailed or viewed at jayleonhart.com
Long Bio of Jay leonhart
Radio personality Jonathan Schwartz likes to say that Jay Leonhart writes songs about nothing, but what Jay actually does is write songs about everything--what he sees, does, thinks, imagines, or swears that he saw--and this makes for some fascinating and often very funny songs.
Combined with his bass violin virtuosity and his jazz expertise, Jay Leonhart's songs end up being hip, humorous, and moving commentaries on our lives and times.
Jay Leonhart spent his teenage years learning to play the bass and listening to his musical hero, the legendary bassist Ray Brown.
Song writing was not really a priority in those early years.
But he was always writing poems.
As he grew older he started putting his poems to music and he has now written about three hundred songs and has recorded seven albums of his music.
Jay's songs are unlike any other songs around today.
Many are very unique and personal insights into the life of a bass player and road musician.
Other's are points of view on the human condition.
Yet they are all songs we relate to.
His melodies have been compared to Hoagy Carmichael's and his lyrics to something Johnny Mercer might have cooked up if he'd been a bass player.
Jay has also collaborated on songs with other composers, like Tommy Flanagan, Jeff Clayton, and Ray Brown.
Over the last forty years, Jay has played the bass for most of the legendary singers and jazz musicians of our time-from Tony Bennett and Frank Sinatra to Sting and James Taylor--Jim Hall and Marian McPartland to Bill Charlap and Branford Marsalis --Judy Garland and Peggy Lee to Carly Simon and Bette Midler.
In fact there are very few singers and jazz musicians Jay Leonhart has not played with.
He has been named the Most Valuable Bassist in the recording world three times by the National Association of Recording Arts and Sciences.
In the meantime Jay has been performing his songs in concert halls and jazz clubs around the world for the last twenty five years.
In addition he has recorded thousand of commercials and hundreds of albums for others.
He has gotten the reputation of being both a fine bassist and a very entertaining performer.
Beside his world wide engagements, Jay managed to perform his own songs every Sunday at the Blue Note for ten years before starting to write his own show, The Bass lesson" which will be opening in New York in 2002.
Jay Leonhart has received his share of rave reviews, and one of his favorite quotes comes from critic Leonard Feather who writes that: " Jay Leonhart is the wittiest composer to come along since Dave Frishberg".
Jay Leonhart CD's: Salamander Pie - Digital Music Products (DMP) There's Gonnna Be Trouble - Sunnyside Records The Double Cross - Sunnyside Records Life Out on the Road - Prestige Records Two Lane Highways - Prestige Records Jay Leonhart with His Friends at Fat Tuesdays - DRG Records Galaxies and Planets - Sons of Sound Recordings Great Duets - Chiaroscuro 15 plays Monk - Sunnyside REcords
Band Members
Links
