RODGERS & LEONHART
Renowned jazz bassist Jay Leonhart
commemorates the Richard Rodgers Centennial with
a 13-song
CD entitled Rodgers & Leonhart
New York, NY — With a street
date of November 4, 2002, Sons of Sound enthusiastically
presents
its
second recording by the renowned jazz bassist,
vocalist, and songwriter Jay Leonhart, entitled
Rodgers & Leonhart (SSPCD015). This
thirteen-song disc is conceived as a tribute to
Richard Rodgers
and, with the support of the Rodgers & Hammerstein
Organization, is released to coincide with the
celebration of the composer’s 100th Anniversary.
All of the songs on this disc were written with
either Lorenz Hart or Oscar Hammerstein II.
With new interpretations and original
arrangements, Rodgers & Leonhart boasts an ever-changing
cast of supporting instrumentalists and guest singers
pooled both from the Sons of Sound label roster
and the musically-gifted Leonhart family. Featured
artists include Ted Rosenthal (pn), Bob Sneider
(gt) and Dave Mancini (dr) in the rhythm section;
Michael Leonhart (trpt), Jim Pugh (trbn), Andy
Parsons (sx) and the American Saxophone Quartet
in the wind section; and guest vocalists Carolyn
Leonhart, Donna Leonhart, and Jodi Stevens.
Says Jay Leonhart: “I recently
compiled a long list of my favorite songs so I
would never
be at a loss for something to play with my trio.
It was then that I realized just how just many
of my genuinely favorite songs were written by
Richard Rodgers… Many of these Richard Rodgers
songs have become deep jazz standards. Other of
his songs, like “Edelweiss,” “The
Sound of Music,” and “This Nearly Was
Mine,” are rarely recorded in jazz. But they
got some special consideration and treatment and
have been included here… At first I was concerned
that the title Rodgers & Leonhart might
incur the wrath of classic Rodgers and Hart fans
and
cause them to look askance at my presumptuousness.
But considering that the whole Leonhart family
does appear here, and with a deep bow of appreciation
to the extraordinary Oscar Hammerstein and the
brilliant Larry Hart, and with great respect for
Julie Andrews: Here’s Rodgers & Leonhart.”
Trumpeter/arranger Michael Leonhart
(Mr. Leonhart’s
son) has won over twenty international composition
and arranging awards, and was the youngest Grammy
winner in history by 1992. Michael lends his prodigious
arranging skills to “The Sound Of Music,” featuring
the American Saxophone Quartet, led by Albert Regni,
principal saxophonist of the New York Philharmonic.
The unique arrangement is made possible by The
Commission Project, a non-profit music education
organization (www.tcp-music.org).
Pianist/arranger Ted Rosenthal is
an acknowledged expert in the music of Thelonious
Monk, which led
the producers to request a special arrangement
of “You Took Advantage Of Me.” Drummer
Dave Mancini (Doc Serverinson, Maynard Ferguson,
The Boston Pops) has his own record as a leader,
Salt Peanuts on Sons of Sound, as does guitarist
Bob Sneider (Chuck Mangione, Fred Wesley), entitled
Out of the Darkness. Recording artist and composer
Andy Parsons, a recent semi-finalist for the Thelonious
Monk International Jazz competition, is also featured
on Sons of Sound (A Whole Nother Story and the
forthcoming Flip! with John Patitucci and Ben Monder).
Trombonist Jim Pugh is a veteran of the Woody Herman
and Chick Corea bands and has been named four times
as the “Most Valuable Player” on his
instrument by National Academy of Recording Arts
and Sciences.
Vocalist Carolyn Leonhart (Mr. Leonhart’s
daughter) is best known for her work with Steely
Dan on their Grammy Winning CD Two Against
Nature.
Vocalist Jodi Stevens is recognized for her work
on Broadway (Jekyll & Hyde and the forthcoming
Urban Cowboy). Her debut album, Girl
Talk, is also
on Sons of Sound and features Mr. Leonhart. Vocalist
(and wife of Mr. Leonhart) Donna Leonhart’s
first album Bein’ Green was recently named “Record
of the Month” on France’s PIP network.
Rodgers & Leonhart is Mr. Leonhart’s
second outing on the Sons of Sound label, after
Galaxies and Planets, released in 2001 (SSPCD008).
Artist information available at:
www.sonsofsound.com and www.jayleonhart.com. Sons
of Sound recordings
are distributed exclusively through Big Daddy
Music (www.bigdaddymusic.com).
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