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CONTACT: Albert Kay Associates Inc |
One of the world's foremost concert saxophonists, J. Michael Leonard is a fascinating and versatile musical artist who is very active as an internationally renowned soloist, appearing with orchestras and in recital around the world. His performances "reveal a potent technique allied with remarkable control... superlative." (Boston Globe). Michael has toured as soloist with the St. Petersburg Glinka Cappella Orchestra (which included performances at Tchaikovsky Concert Hall in Moscow) and the Ukrainian National Symphony throughout Ukraine.
He has also widely concertized in countries such as Hong Kong, Korea, Poland, India and England. His performance of the Concerto by the Pulitzer Prize-winning composer, Karel Husa, was under Dr. Husa's baton. Michael also gave the concert premier of Bernard Herrmann's Prelude: "A Night Piece" from the movie, Taxi Driver, with the Connecticut Orchestra. Audiences have applauded him at Tanglewood, Aspen, Great Woods and the Kiev International music Festivals. He has also been a guest artist at the Chopin Academy (Warsaw, Poland) as well as the Shostakovich and Tchaikovsky Conservatories of Music in Kiev, Ukraine.
Since the age of twenty-two, Michael has served as orchestral saxophonist for the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops Orchestras. He is also a very active chamber musician, regularly performing as a clarinetist and flutist. Michael has also appeared as a guest on radio, including performances on WGBH (Boston), WFMT (Chicago), Radio Moscow and Radio Television Hong Kong. His compact discs are on ASV (United Kingdom), Black Lion, Philips, Sony (Boston Pops), New World and CRI. As an active arranger, over 75 of his works for saxophone and clarinet have been published by Masters Music (Kalmus), Mel Bay and Theodore Presser. His book, Extended Technique for the Saxophone, is widely recognized as a major work on contemporary performance techniques.
Michael resides in Wayland, Massachusetts with his wife, the clarinetist Rebecca Leonard, and their Rottweilers, Gretchen and Quincy.
"Revealed a potent technique allied with remarkable control. His tone is consistently sweet throughout the instrument's large compass, never forced.. superlative." Boston Globe
"Distinguished himself." Boston Globe
"Beautiful artistry and melodic charm." Weekend Moscow (Russia)
"Literally knocked the audience off their feet with his beautiful virtuosity, expressivity, and attention to artistic detail." Kiev Music Journal (Ukraine)
"Sheer poetry.. tugged at the heartstrings." The Hindu (India)
"Bright, clear, resonant sound... the superb control of a master craftsman." "The Heifetz of the saxophone." Saxophone Journal
"Brought the music gorgeously to life." Boston Phoenix
"Riffed away as if he was on West 52nd Street." Berkshire Eagle
"Performed to perfection." Concord Journal
"Captivating and versatile...fascinating listening." Warwick Beacon/Cranston Herald
"J. Michael Leonard stood out for his lilting sax solo." Providence Journal-Bulletin
"Saxophonist J. Michael Leonard displayed through his own great skill a richness and variety of tone." Groton Landmark
"The piece took off with Mike Leonard's two swinging sax solos, leaning into the snake-like tune as if to say, 'Okay. let's get cooking'." Providence Journal-Bulletin
