Search - David Leonhardt :: Bach to the Blues Improvisations on Classical Them

Classical gas!

Gareth Davies-Morris | San Diego, CA USA | 02/27/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Fine piano trio jazz with a classical bent. Leonhardt's style is effortless, his rhythm section tight and understated. His approach here takes a page right out of Jacques Loussier's playbook, adapting classical themes to jazz improvisation. Unlike the great Loussier, who pretty much sticks to Bach and Satie, Leonhardt casts a wider net, tackling other composers like Copland, Chopin, Debussy, and even dear old Ludwig Von. Standouts are versions of Copland's Simple Gifts, Debussy's Clair de Lune, Pachelbel's immortal Canon, and a bopping take of Bach's Prelude in B flat that grabs on you on first listening. I heard it on KSDS in San Diego and bought the album before the set was over!"