Neil Leonard doesn't often record as a leader, but when he does, he makes it count. For his 2001 solo debut, Timaeus, the saxophonist and composer used computers and algorithms to expand his performances. The recording was widely praised by the jazz press. All About Jazz said that the album “Serves the new music community while remaining quite accessible to traditional fans, Timeaus breathes fresh ideas into today's scene," while Jazz Review raved, “Timaeus extends the limits of the alto, soprano and tenor saxophone to a level often sought by Ornette Coleman.
After extensive touring and working with artists from a wide range of disciplines, Leonard's creative impulses are once again in full bloom on Marcel's Window, his new quartet effort on GASP Records. Says the Boston based/Philly born artist; “This CD features my compositions for site-specific performances at major cultural landmarks in my hometown, including Marcel Duchamp's collection at the Museum of Fine Arts and Paul Robeson's living room. The band, all Philadelphia-born musicians, plays my music like they trained all their life for project. This is the sound of Philly in the 21st century."
Joined by pianist Tom Lawton, bassist Lee Smith and drummer Craig McIver, alto and soprano saxophonist Leonard breathes emotion, life and culture into each of the six pieces that comprise Marcel's Window. One key track, “4951 Walnut Street," was inspired by the late singer-actor and Civil Rights pioneer Paul Robeson, who dwelled at that address, where Leonard premiered the work. “Invisible Cities," says Leonard, “is a reflection of the multiple realities of urban life." And the title track refers to a window cut into the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Parthenon-style façade to illuminate Marcel Duchamp's “The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors."
Leonard brings to his new release decades of experience. His ensemble has featured Marshall Allen (director of the Sun Ra Arkestra), Bruce Barth, Don Byron, Michael Evans, Robin Eubanks, Frank Lacy, Badal Roy, Jamaaladeen Tacuma and Uri Caine. Leonard has also performed with an eclectic array of artists including the Boston Ballet, the late Lester Bowie, Bill Frisell, Orlando “Cachaito" Lopez (Buena Vista Social Club) , Joe Maneri, John Medeski and many others.
He's collaborated with visual artist for performances and installations in the MoMA, Whitney Biennial and Venice Biennial. Leonard is co-founder of GASP Gallery in Boston. Leonard is a professor Electronic Production and Design at Berklee College of Music and the artistic director of Berklee's Interdisciplinary Arts Institute.
About the creation of Marcel's Window, Leonard says, “I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with these superb musicians." Listener, too, will be grateful that Neil Leonard had the chance to record this stimulating, poignant music. About Neil Leonard:
Leonard is one of the most inventive and adventuresome artist in jazz today. Leonard's work has ranged from traditional jazz performance, solo concerts for saxophone and interactive computer system, collaborations with top Cuban musicians, works for electronics/video/orchestra; and media installations.
His ensemble and collaborative projects featured Marshall Allen, David Bryant, Bruce Barth, Don Byron, Uri Caine, Kenwood Dennard, Robin Eubanks, Frank Lacy, Oriente Lopez, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Badal Roy, Jamaaladeen Tacuma. Leonard's “Dreaming of an Island," (for orchestra, electronics and live-video) was premiered by Kirk Trevor and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. Leonard's composition Totems was premiered at Carnegie Hall by Byron and Caine. Leonard's “Echoes and Footsteps" was featured by the Tel Aviv Biennial for New Music, Issue Project Room (NYC) and the Auditorium di Roma.
Leonard's collaborative work with visual artist Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons was featured by the 49th Venice Biennial, Museum of Modern Art (NYC); purchased by the National Gallery of Canada; and presented by the U.S. State Department at Dakar Biennial. Leonard composed the music for Relatives, by Tony Oursler and Constance DeJong featured by the Whitney Biennial. Leonard organized festivals of time-based art in Rome, Venice, La Spezia, Siena, Tel Aviv, Haifa, New York and Boston.
Leonard performed and recorded with Afrocuba, Victor Bailey, Guillermo Barretto, Boston Ballet, Bruce Barth, Hiram Bullock, Don Byron, Tyrone Brown, Uri Caine, Bakida Carrol, Vic Chesnutt, Dominique Eade, Kevin Eubanks, Robin Eubanks Bill Frisell, Gene Jackson, Leroy Jenkins, Vijay Iyer, Howard Johnson, Billy Kilson, Victor Lewis, Orlando 'Cachaito' Lopez (Buena Vista Social Club), Rudresh Mahanthappa, Joe Maneri, John Medeski, Butch Morris, Joe Morris, Phill Niblock, Don Patterson, Giuliano Perin, Odean Pope, Todd Rundgren, Dave Samuels, Marvin “Smitty" Smith, Lew Soloff, Steve Swallow, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, David Thomas (Pere Ubu), Mark Whitfield, Phil Wilson, Evan Ziporyn.
Leonard is the Artistic Director of the Interdisciplinary Arts Institute at Berklee College of Music. Leonard is co-founder of GASP Gallery in Boston. Leonard he a bachelor's degree in Jazz Performance and a Masters in of Music degree from new England Conservatory of Music where he studied with George Russell, Bob Brookmeyer and others.
CD release performance:
November 18th, 2011 5:00 pm
The Philadelphia a Museum of Art
26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA
For more information go to: (215) 763-8100
After extensive touring and working with artists from a wide range of disciplines, Leonard's creative impulses are once again in full bloom on Marcel's Window, his new quartet effort on GASP Records. Says the Boston based/Philly born artist; “This CD features my compositions for site-specific performances at major cultural landmarks in my hometown, including Marcel Duchamp's collection at the Museum of Fine Arts and Paul Robeson's living room. The band, all Philadelphia-born musicians, plays my music like they trained all their life for project. This is the sound of Philly in the 21st century."
Joined by pianist Tom Lawton, bassist Lee Smith and drummer Craig McIver, alto and soprano saxophonist Leonard breathes emotion, life and culture into each of the six pieces that comprise Marcel's Window. One key track, “4951 Walnut Street," was inspired by the late singer-actor and Civil Rights pioneer Paul Robeson, who dwelled at that address, where Leonard premiered the work. “Invisible Cities," says Leonard, “is a reflection of the multiple realities of urban life." And the title track refers to a window cut into the Philadelphia Museum of Art's Parthenon-style façade to illuminate Marcel Duchamp's “The Bride Stripped Bare by Her Bachelors."
Leonard brings to his new release decades of experience. His ensemble has featured Marshall Allen (director of the Sun Ra Arkestra), Bruce Barth, Don Byron, Michael Evans, Robin Eubanks, Frank Lacy, Badal Roy, Jamaaladeen Tacuma and Uri Caine. Leonard has also performed with an eclectic array of artists including the Boston Ballet, the late Lester Bowie, Bill Frisell, Orlando “Cachaito" Lopez (Buena Vista Social Club) , Joe Maneri, John Medeski and many others.
He's collaborated with visual artist for performances and installations in the MoMA, Whitney Biennial and Venice Biennial. Leonard is co-founder of GASP Gallery in Boston. Leonard is a professor Electronic Production and Design at Berklee College of Music and the artistic director of Berklee's Interdisciplinary Arts Institute.
About the creation of Marcel's Window, Leonard says, “I am grateful to have the opportunity to work with these superb musicians." Listener, too, will be grateful that Neil Leonard had the chance to record this stimulating, poignant music. About Neil Leonard:
Leonard is one of the most inventive and adventuresome artist in jazz today. Leonard's work has ranged from traditional jazz performance, solo concerts for saxophone and interactive computer system, collaborations with top Cuban musicians, works for electronics/video/orchestra; and media installations.
His ensemble and collaborative projects featured Marshall Allen, David Bryant, Bruce Barth, Don Byron, Uri Caine, Kenwood Dennard, Robin Eubanks, Frank Lacy, Oriente Lopez, Rudresh Mahanthappa, Badal Roy, Jamaaladeen Tacuma. Leonard's “Dreaming of an Island," (for orchestra, electronics and live-video) was premiered by Kirk Trevor and the Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra. Leonard's composition Totems was premiered at Carnegie Hall by Byron and Caine. Leonard's “Echoes and Footsteps" was featured by the Tel Aviv Biennial for New Music, Issue Project Room (NYC) and the Auditorium di Roma.
Leonard's collaborative work with visual artist Maria Magdalena Campos-Pons was featured by the 49th Venice Biennial, Museum of Modern Art (NYC); purchased by the National Gallery of Canada; and presented by the U.S. State Department at Dakar Biennial. Leonard composed the music for Relatives, by Tony Oursler and Constance DeJong featured by the Whitney Biennial. Leonard organized festivals of time-based art in Rome, Venice, La Spezia, Siena, Tel Aviv, Haifa, New York and Boston.
Leonard performed and recorded with Afrocuba, Victor Bailey, Guillermo Barretto, Boston Ballet, Bruce Barth, Hiram Bullock, Don Byron, Tyrone Brown, Uri Caine, Bakida Carrol, Vic Chesnutt, Dominique Eade, Kevin Eubanks, Robin Eubanks Bill Frisell, Gene Jackson, Leroy Jenkins, Vijay Iyer, Howard Johnson, Billy Kilson, Victor Lewis, Orlando 'Cachaito' Lopez (Buena Vista Social Club), Rudresh Mahanthappa, Joe Maneri, John Medeski, Butch Morris, Joe Morris, Phill Niblock, Don Patterson, Giuliano Perin, Odean Pope, Todd Rundgren, Dave Samuels, Marvin “Smitty" Smith, Lew Soloff, Steve Swallow, Jamaaladeen Tacuma, David Thomas (Pere Ubu), Mark Whitfield, Phil Wilson, Evan Ziporyn.
Leonard is the Artistic Director of the Interdisciplinary Arts Institute at Berklee College of Music. Leonard is co-founder of GASP Gallery in Boston. Leonard he a bachelor's degree in Jazz Performance and a Masters in of Music degree from new England Conservatory of Music where he studied with George Russell, Bob Brookmeyer and others.
CD release performance:
November 18th, 2011 5:00 pm
The Philadelphia a Museum of Art
26th Street and Benjamin Franklin Parkway
Philadelphia, PA
For more information go to: (215) 763-8100
