Country

:

United States of America

Birth

:

December 6, 1940 in Baltimore, MD

Genre

:

Orchestral

 

Jay Leonhart is a renowned American jazz bassist, singer, and songwriter who has made a significant contribution to the world of music. Born on December 6, 1940, in Baltimore, Maryland, Jay grew up in a musical family. His father was a bassist, and his mother was a singer, and they both played in the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. Jay's parents were his first musical influences, and he started playing the piano at the age of six. Jay's family moved to New York City when he was ten years old, and he continued his musical education at the Manhattan School of Music. He started playing the bass when he was 15 years old and quickly became proficient in the instrument. Jay's early influences were jazz bassists such as Ray Brown, Oscar Pettiford, and Charles Mingus. In the 1960s, Jay started playing with jazz legends such as Roy Eldridge, Thad Jones, and Mel Lewis. He also played with Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, and Peggy Lee. In 1975, Jay joined the Saturday Night Live Band, where he played for ten years. During his time on the show, he played with musical guests such as James Taylor, Paul Simon, and Stevie Wonder. Jay has also had a successful career as a songwriter. He has written songs for artists such as Judy Collins, Bette Midler, and Sting. His song "The Bass Lesson" has become a jazz standard and has been recorded by many artists. Jay has released several albums as a bandleader, including "The Double Cross," "Salamander Pie," and "Galaxy." He has also collaborated with other musicians on albums such as "Two Lane Highway" with Tomoko Ohno and "Cool" with Bill Charlap. Jay has received numerous awards and accolades throughout his career. In 2013, he was inducted into the Bass Player Hall of Fame. He has also received the National Endowment for the Arts Jazz Masters Fellowship, the Manhattan Association of Cabarets and Clubs Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Award. Jay continues to perform and record music to this day. He is known for his virtuosic bass playing, his smooth singing voice, and his witty and humorous lyrics. He has been a mentor to many young musicians and has inspired countless people with his music. Jay Leonhart is a true legend in the world of jazz and a beloved figure in the music industry.

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