Michael Leonhart Debuts 70s Arrangements at JLCO
The veteran jazz arranger joins Wynton Marsalis for a unique Jazz at Lincoln Center showcase
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A Fresh Take On 70s Classics
Michael Leonhart, the Grammy-nominated trumpeter and arranger, has just wrapped up his latest orchestration project. In an Instagram announcement, Leonhart shared, “Attention NYC 👏🎺 My @quincyjones arrangement is all finished up👊. Come check out @jazzdotorg #jazz at #lincolncenter #orchestra for the ‘JLCO plays the 70s’ May 29, 30 and 31.”
Collaborating With Jazz Royalty
Leonhart joins the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra under the artistic direction of Wynton Marsalis. Ted Nash serves as musical director, guiding the ensemble through a program that spotlights Quincy Jones staples alongside classics by Nat Adderley, Horace Silver, Wayne Shorter, Weather Report and Gil Scott-Heron. Special guest trumpeter Tom Harrell and alto saxophonist Charles McPherson round out the lineup, promising fresh interpretations of ’70s gems.
From Jersey Roots To Lincoln Center
Born in Mountainside, New Jersey, in 1974, Leonhart began his career as a child prodigy on brass and keys. A graduate of the Manhattan School of Music, he rose to prominence touring with Steely Dan and performing on multiple Grammy-winning records. His credits span from film scoring to studio sessions with superstar artists, but he’s equally respected for his jazz compositions and inventive arrangements.
Orchestration Insights
Leonhart’s Instagram feed often doubles as a masterclass. In a recent throwback post, he highlighted Jerome Richardson’s 1959 track “Way In Blues,” illustrating his fascination with tonal color and space. That same post underlined his ability to balance individual solos against lush ensemble textures — an approach he’s now applied to dance-floor classics like Weather Report’s “Birdland” and Gil Scott-Heron’s “The Bottle.”
Reimagining Iconic Tunes
For the JLCO concerts, Leonhart retools Quincy Jones’s “Soul Bossa Nova” with a big-band punch. He also weaves in Horace Silver’s blues-infused “Song for My Father,” updating it with brass harmonies and unexpected rhythmic twists. From Nat Adderley’s “Work Song” to Wayne Shorter’s “Fee Fi Fo Fum,” each chart gets a modern sheen without sacrificing its original spirit.
What Audiences Can Expect
Over three nights—May 29, 30 and 31—Lincoln Center’s Rose Theater will host this ode to ’70s creativity. Tickets are available via jazz.org. Attendees can anticipate tight horn section hits, soulful solos and Leonhart’s signature nods to funk and fusion. The setlist balances high-energy numbers with laid-back grooves, offering both diehard jazz fans and newcomers a dynamic evening.
Leonhart credits the JLCO team for inviting him to contribute as a guest arranger. “Working with Wynton and Ted is a dream,” he said in his post. As jazz continues to evolve, his fresh arrangements remind us why the ’70s remain a rich source of inspiration.
Whether you grew up on these songs or are discovering them for the first time, Michael Leonhart’s “JLCO plays the ’70s” brings renewed magic to the stage. Don’t miss this chance to hear classic grooves through a contemporary jazz lens.
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