Jazz Standard is thrilled to welcome back Michael Leonhart Orchestra featuring members of Antibalas, presenting the Afrobeat Suite. James Brown and Meryl Streep, Wu–Tang Clan and Bruno Mars – these are just a few of the boldfaced names with whom GRAMMY Award winner Michael Leonhart has collaborated as a trumpeter, compos­er, producer, and arranger. Leonhart played trumpet on “Uptown Funk,” the international smash hit by Bruno Mars & Mark Ronson that won the 2016 GRAMMY Award for Record Of The Year; he’s been a member of the Steely Dan touring group since 1996 and appeared on their 2000 release Two Against Nature, winner of the 2000 GRAMMY Award for Album Of The Year. But the project closest to his own heart is the genre–crossing Michael Leonhart Orchestra (MLO), a 15–piece modern big band that has been electri­fying Jazz Standard audiences every month. The MLO performs Michael Leonhart’s original compositions alongside his imaginative arrangements of songs by (among others) Wu-Tang Clan, Fela Kuti, Duke Ellington, and Frank Zappa. His ensemble features players from such esteemed organizations as the Dap–Kings, the Mingus Big Band, and “The Tonight Show” band (The Roots). Michael Leonhart – conductor, trumpet JSWISS – rap vocals Jordan McLean, Dave Guy, Carter Yasutake Ian Hendrickson-Smith, Stuart Bogie – tenor saxophones, woodwinds Jason Marshall – baritone saxophone Frank Cohen – trombone Jeff Nelson – bass trombone Sara Schoenbeck – bassoon Claudia Chopek, Ludovica Burtone – violin Nathan Koci – accordion Robbie Mangano, Luke O'Malley – guitar Joe Martin – bass Kevin Raczka – drums Elizabeth Pupo-Walker, Giancarlo Luigi – percussion