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Jennifer Jane Leitham has been referred to by noted jazz critic Leonard Feather
as the "left-handed virtuoso of the upright bass." In addition to her successful
performance career, Jennifer has appeared on over 100 recordings with some of the giants
of jazz music. In addition, she has recorded many highly acclaimed CDs of her own.
Jennifer is best known for her decade long stints with both Mel Tormé and Doc
Severinsen. She has appeared with many distinguished artists including Woody Herman,
George Shearing, Gerry Mulligan, Peggy Lee, Joe Pass, Cleo Laine, Louie Bellson, Pete
Rugolo, Bill Watrous, and numerous others. She has also been a member of the Tonight
Show All-Stars, The Woody Herman Thundering Herd, Benny Carter Quintet, Bob Cooper
Quartet, DIVA, and more.
Jennifer has been invited to perform as a featured artist or group member at almost
every major jazz festival in North America and many overseas. A highly regarded educator,
she is enthusiastically received as a presenter of workshops and clinics at schools
and colleges around the country, and has joined the faculty at California State University
Long Beach as a Studio Artist.
Jennifer's own highly regarded CDs include Leitham Up, The Southpaw, Lefty Leaps In,
Live! , and Two for the Road (a duo performance with guitar virtuoso Jimmy Bruno).
Her sixth CD, The Real Me, features her original compositions and for the first time,
her singing voice! Her latest CD, Left Coast Story, is a collection of requests from
her loyal fans. From her unique arrangements of "West Side Story"; to heartfelt
vocal ballads; to interpretations of compositions ranging from Henry Mancini to Emily
Saliers of the Indigo Girls; to to a Flamenco-tinged solo bass version of Vince Guaralidi's
"Cast Your Fate to the Wind"; it's a collection that continues the tradition
of Jennifer's ear-pleasing art!
Her incredible story has been profiled in many respected publications, including JazzTimes,
The Hollywood Reporter, Cadence, and the Los Angeles Times.
Her trio performs for enthusiastic, diverse audiences on a regular basis.
Jennifer is an endorser of Hofner String Instruments, Acoustic Image amplification,
Raezer's Edge speakers, and Wilson pickup systems. |
