The musically peripatetic David Leonhardt has released albums devoted solely for dancers (both to learn tap dancing by and to trip the light fantastic by), albums of his compositions, and albums of classic pop standards. In recent years, his interests have turned to passing this wonderful music called jazz on to the younger set. This CD is an adjunct to a live presentation designed to introduce children to the jazz idiom, its modes, and its heart and soul, creative improvisation. He has pulled together one of several combos he regularly works with, the David Leonhardt Jazz Group, to make his case. Joining in is singer Nancy Reed as they present a play list of songs that have children's themes, or themes that should be attractive to children, such as "Somewhere Over the Rainbow," "Never Never Land," and "Flintstones." But these are not done as children's music, but presented within a mature jazz context. There is no patronizing or condescending here. The emphasis is on tempo, rhythm, melody, and improvisation, but in such a way as to not lose the younger listener. A good deal of working above the melody line falls to the inestimable Larry McKenna on sax. The extemporizing cushion he provides Reed on "When You Wish Upon a Star" makes this one of the more attractive tracks on the disc. This tune also introduces, in a gentle manner, the use of scatting. There's plenty of swing on "Route 66," a bit of the blues with "Blues Shuffle," and a Miles Davis favorite, "Someday My Prince Will Come," as well other types to make sure as many bases are touched as possible. Not only should kids enjoy this, but bigger persons should too.
© Dave Nathan /TiVo