Jazz Articles about Leigh Pilzer

About Leigh Pilzer

Album Review

Baritone saxophonist Leigh Pilzer is a member of A-list orchestras like the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, The DIVA Jazz Orchestra, and the National Symphony Orchestra, among others. She is also an exciting improviser and bandleader in her own right. Her third release as a leader, the captivating Keep Holding On, is with her organ trio and features guest brass players on five tracks. It consists entirely of original material, most composed by Pilzer herself, and is firmly rooted in the ...

Album Review

Leigh Pilzer: Keep Holding On

Read "Keep Holding On" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
June 19, 2026

There are times when the friends you make can make a world of difference. That is certainly true of baritone saxophonist Leigh Pilzer's recording, Keep Holding On, whose trio format--admirable in its own way--is considerably enriched by a quartet of friends and colleagues whose expertise helps brighten even further five of the album's 11 already-impressive numbers. The first of those guests is trombonist Jen Krupa, like Pilzer a former member of the marvelous all- female DIVA Jazz Orchestra, ...

Album Review

Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra: Ellington Masterworks

Read "Ellington Masterworks" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
June 18, 2026

When the topic of Duke Ellington's masterworks arises (rarely, it is true, but not implausibly so), the leading candidates usually comprise such popular standards as “Sophisticated Lady," “Mood Indigo," “Prelude to a Kiss" and “Satin Doll"--not one of which is included in the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra's chronicle of Ellington Masterworks, recorded live in April 2024 at MCG Jazz in Pittsburgh, PA. With more than a thousand of Ellington's compositions from which to choose, the SJMO and its ...

Album Review

The DIVA Jazz Orchestra: Tappin' Thru Life

Read "Tappin' Thru Life" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
July 21, 2025

Tappin' Thru Life is more than the title of a jazz album; it is a philosophy, one that guided Maurice Hines through most of his 80 years and all of his epic career as an acclaimed tap dancer and entertainer. The album is based on Hines' autobiographical stage show of that name whose music director, drummer par excellence Sherrie Maricle, is also a co-founder and leader of The DIVA Jazz Orchestra, a renowned all-woman ensemble. After Hines' ...

Radio & Podcasts

Warren Wolf, Alexis Cole, Sonny Rollins and Leigh Pilzer

by Joe Dimino
September 1, 2024

From the mind of veteran musician Leigh Pilzer, we get right into the 869th Episode of Neon Jazz. With her Seven Pointed Star, we hear the title track off her 2024 album called Beatin' the Odds. From there, we journey around a stellar line up of veterans with new albums in 2024 with Julieta Eugenio, Natalie Jacob, Alexis Cole and Warren Wolf. In betwixt, we hear from legends like Count Basie, Sonny Rollins, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong. Veteran Eric ...

Radio & Podcasts

Leigh Pilzer, Patricia Brennan, and Mark Masters

by Jerome Wilson
July 3, 2024

This episode features recent releases by Leigh Pilzer and the duo of Mal Waldron and Steve Lacy. It also includes older music by Patricia Brennan, Michael Gibbs, and the Mark Masters Ensemble. Playlist Henry Threadgill Sextett “I Can't Wait Till I Get Home" from The Complete Novus & Columbia Recordings of Henry Threadgill & Air (Mosaic) 00:00 SLUGish Ensemble “Del Sur" from In Solitude (Slow & Steady) 00:52 Carl Clements “A New Leaf" from A Different Light (Greydisc) ...

Album Review

Leigh Pilzer: Beatin' the Odds

Read "Beatin' the Odds" reviewed by Jack Bowers

by Jack Bowers
May 19, 2024

Beatin' the Odds. To baritone saxophonist Leigh Pilzer, that is far more than a catchphrase: it is a grim yet ultimately happy reality. In 2017, Pilzer was diagnosed with cancer. After extensive treatments, her odds of surviving more than five years were reckoned as around thirty percent. But six years have gone by, and not only has Pilzer beaten the odds, she is cancer-free, back in the saddle and performing again. And not only performing but writing ...