Jazz Articles about Leigh Pilzer

About Leigh Pilzer

Radio & Podcasts

Leigh Pilzer, Tyshawn Sorey, Jackie McLean, and Sun Ra

by Jerome Wilson
October 21, 2026

This episode features recent music by Leigh Pilzer and Tyshawn Sorey along with older work by Jackie McLean and Sun Ra. 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 Sumi Tonooka “Mingus Mood" from Now (ARC) 1:05 Gerry Gibbs “The Woman on the TV Screen" from Thrasher Dream Trio (Whaling City Sound) 8:28 Host Speaks 14:26 Leigh Pilzer “Musing Music" from ...

Radio & Podcasts

Houston Person, Allan Harris, Ron Vincent, Vanisha Gould & Leigh Pilzer

by Joe Dimino
October 18, 2026

We kick off the monumental 980th Episode of Neon Jazz with the soulful artistry of Leigh Pilzer and music from her 2026 album Keep Holding On--another chapter in a remarkable legacy of creativity, groove and stellar jazz. From there, we turn up the spotlight with interview moments from Yoko Miwa, Mikayla Shirley, Allan Harris and the great Michel Gentile, bringing the voices and stories behind the music into the mix. Along the way, we dive into the fresh sounds shaping ...

Album Review

Leigh Pilzer: Keep Holding On

Read "Keep Holding On" reviewed by Hrayr Attarian

by Hrayr Attarian
July 15, 2026

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 ...