Sensitive
David Saemann | 03/13/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I first encountered Jay Leonhart's singing in a combo recording and was quite struck by it. He is an interesting writer of tunes, sensitive, complicated, and arresting. He does not, on the basis of this CD, write potential standards. Instead, he provides intriguing riffs on the jazz man's life, and his background. I was particularly struck by his number about playing at New York's Playboy Club in 1962 and being overwhelmed by the bunny costumes on the waitresses. The instrumental backing on this album is very strong, including that fine musician Mike Renzi, who is best known I suppose for his work with Maureen McGovern. I can't say that this is a CD I will return to often, but it offers an entertaining look into a fine jazz man's mind."