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David Leonhardt Jazz Group: Plays Gershwin
ByLeonhardt’s choice of music opens himself to the obvious comparisons, that, I believe is why he takes on this music in such a straight-forward manner, giving it all the respect it’s due. Leonhardt mixes the music between a trio and quartet, adding vocalist Nancy Reed on half the tracks. Ms. Reed plays it straight too, delivering the familiar with her conversant manner. She scats out the “beat-a-lee bop” to Leonhardt’s dancing piano fingers on “I Got Rhythm,” before tenor saxophonist Ralph Lalama takes a solo straight out of the Blue Note catalog. Did I mention Lalama is on this date? He is perhaps the perennial ‘talent deserving wider recognition’ award recipient. His recording Music For Grown-Ups (Criss Cross 1999) is a favorite around these parts. His work with the Village Vanguard Orchestra and as a sideman has earned him the title of a musician’s musician.
Leonhardt utilizes Lalama as a side dish, as he does Reed and his own piano. The main course here is the Gershwin compositions. Whether they take “Our Love Is here To Stay” at a slow pace or up-tempo “Summertime,” the band stays true to the compositions.
Track Listing
Summertime; But Not For Me; The Man I Love; How Long Has This Been Going On?; I
Personnel
David Leonhardt
Album information
Title: Plays Gershwin | Year Released: 2000 | Record Label: Big Bang Records
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