Leonhart, Michael
Sunnyside, 2022, CD
Instrument: Trumpet
Issue: 28.2
Jazz Ruler Type: Fusion
Performance: 3
Sound: 3
Score: 72
O’s Notes: Trumpeter, composer Michael Leonhart leads his Orchestra for their third album on Sunnyside. The Normyn Suites are focused on dealing with grief and loss in the face of incredible bonds. Normyn is Leonhart’s dog, a 15-year-old dachshund, his ever-forgiving partner and the inspiration for the music. There are a wealth of talented musicians including Joshua Redman (t-sax), JSWISS (rap), Bill Frisell (g), Chriss Potter (b-cl) and Donny McCaslin (t-sax). “The Normyn Suite 1” focuses on the five stages of grieving, contrasting with “The Normyn Suite 2” centered on love and loss. Most of the Suite’s music is dark and introspective, but also cleansing. We liked both takes of “Shut Him Down” with a reggae/rap twist, and the bonus tracks: “Kenny Dorham” and “Wayne Shorter”.
Publicist: Lydia Liebman Promotions
