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David Leonhardt bio -Career Highlights

Twenty year (1987 to present) association with saxophonist David Fathead Newman including: arranging and playing on four CDs, international tours, jazz festivals, radio broadcasts and New York and international jazz clubs.
Four year as musical director for jazz vocalist Jon Hendricks including: international tours, jazz festivals, radio and TV broadcasts, New York and international jazz clubs (1983-1987)
President and founder of Big Bang Records with eighteen CDs as a leader. (1993 to present)
Fifteen years leading The David Leonhardt Jazz Group a concert ensemble with hundreds of successful performances in theaters, Universities, Colleges, festivals, arts organizations through out the US, Canada and Europe.
Twelve years freelance experience in New York city as a jazz pianist. (1980-1992) Performing in a wide range of professional settings from Broadway to the Today Show, from jazz clubs to dance halls, from Bar Mitzvahs and weddings to cabaret clubs and Lincoln Center, from jingles to jazz records.
Twenty years experience performing with legendary Tap dancers and young upcoming tap stars as musical director for both Manhattan Tap and The Shelley Oliver Tap Dancers including National and European tours, television and DVDs. ( 1987 to present)
Decades of experiences as a jazz educator in universities, colleges, clinics and workshops. Ten years of presenting Jazz For Kids an interactive children's program in concerts, schools, and museums, from The Smithsonian to one room school houses in the hills of West Virginia.
First jazz experience playing piano as a teenager with jazz educator Jamey Aebersold in concerts, clubs and school presentations in Louisville, KY. (1974-1980).
First professional engagement at the age of 14 in a teenage rock band. First road experience with a southern rock band touring Dixie age 16. (1970-1976). David Leonhardt has always made his living as a professional musician since the age of fourteen!
David Leonhardt, jazz pianist and composer, is a highly skilled and versatile artist. His thirty years of professional experience has included recordings, T.V. and radio, concerts and festivals, night clubs and stage shows. He has appeared internationally throughout North and South America, Europe, the Middle and Far East with some of the biggest names in jazz. He leads his own concert ensemble The David Leonhardt Jazz Group and is the founder and president of Big Bang Records with fifteen CDs as a leader. Recently Mr. Leonhardt arranged and recorded a jazz CD with saxophonist David "Fathead" Newman, and released the CDs "I'll Be Home For Christmas" and "In The Moment". Mr. Leonhardt is on the roster of The Pennsylvania Arts On Tour and gives educational clinics worldwide. Performing and studying as a teenager in Louisville, Kentucky with noted educator Jamey Aebersold, Mr. Leonhardt acquired his skills backing such diverse jazz talents as Buddy Defranco, Dave Liebman, and Buddy Tate. After moving to New York City in his twenties Mr. Leonhardt established himself as an international performing artist when he toured for four years as musical director for jazz legend Jon Hendricks, accompanying vocalists such as Diane Reeves and Bobby McFarren. Joining The David "Fathead" Newman Quintet he furthered his reputation as a burning jazz pianist and made his name familiar on the New York jazz scene. He went on to form his own band performing in the U.S., Japan, and Europe. In 1991 he founded Big Bang Records and released his first CD "Departure" to great critical acclaim as well as his popular CD "Reflections". Mr. Leonhardt has produced, arranged, and performed on numerous recordings with jazz stars Stan Getz, Slide Hampton, Jon Hendricks, Eddie Henderson, Robin Eubanks, Ray Drummond, and Lewis Nash. His compositions have been recorded by such jazz greats as Stanley Turentine, David "Fathead" Newman, Hank Crawford, and Claudio Roditi. He has written arrangements for The Art Blakey Big Band and been guest conductor and arranger for The Benny Carter Orchestra.

At present Mr. Leonhardt is leading his own band with successful appearances at the International Arts Festival of Shenzen in China, the Winnipeg Jazz Festival, The French Maison de Dance in Lyon, as well festivals and concerts throughout the United States. His all star group has been heard at The Apollo Theater, The Blue Note, and Birdland. He is the musical director for The Shelley Oliver Tap Dancers a popular all female dance group.

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