CD Review: Leigh Pilzer - Strunkin''

Leigh Pilzer (bari); Jen Krupa (tmb); Jackie Warren (pno); Amy Shook (bs); Sherrie Maricle (dms).

(Review by Lance).

Women Make Music has, over the past couple of years, become a movement widely supported in the UK by various organisations such as Jazz North East who've brought several contemporary jazz women to the attention of the Tyneside audience. Long may they continue to do so and, if the name of Leigh Pilzer (or any of her four sidekicks) is offered up to the aforementioned JNE may I suggest they welcome them with open arms!

Pilzer blows the big horn with the technique and panache of  Mulligan, Challoff, Payne, Cuber, Temperley and just about any other baritone saxist you care to  mention and after you've listened to Miss Ally in Allywood, you'll add Harry Carney to the mix.

Despite having all these ghosts surrounding her Pilzer still comes out as very much her own woman.

Baritone sax player, composer too. Six originals plus one each from Jen and Amy. Jen Krupa plays trombone with the fire that her unrelated namesake played drums. Listen to her plunger chorus on Amy's Brag Time. How can someone so young sound like someone so old and long gone? (Tricky Sam) and, believe you me that's a compliment to both Jen and Tricky Sam!

Amy and Sherrie complement each other They gel whilst Jackie's piano makes them the ideal rhythm section.

Leigh originally planned on becoming a cellist but, by the time she'd graduated from high school she'd become bejazzled through listening to the music of Lester Young, Dexter Gordon and Count Basie starting out on alto but finding true love in the bigger Eb horn.

After earning a bachelor's degree in Jazz Composition and Arranging from Berklee she returned to Washington DC where she's an on-call freelancer as well as playing in various bands with the above girls.

This isn't 'pretty damn good for five women' - it would be pretty damn good for any five of any gender you care to name!

I'm not sure what's playing on my car stereo at present but, even if it's whoever it is, they're history! Tomorrow, it's going to be me and five women making beautiful music.

Where to park?

Lance.

Check out www.leighpilzer.com.