For its ninth consecutive monthly appearance on our stage, Jazz Standard hails the return of the electrify­ing Michael Leonhart Orchestra (MLO). Tonight's program will be "The Blue Note Records Suite Part 2" featuring the compositions of Kenny Dorham, Eric Dolphy, John Scofield, Bobby Hutcherson, and others.This genre–crossing 15–piece ensemble features players from such “name” aggregations as the Dap–Kings, the Mingus Big Band, the Maria Schneider Orchestra, and the “Tonight Show” band (The Roots), performing both Leonhart’s original compositions and his arrangements of songs by Wu–Tang, Duke Ellington, and more. “I realized a long time ago that it’s not even about the music you play, it’s the spirit with which you approach it. To me that breaks down the bar­rier between pop, rock, funk, jazz, classical, abstract, musique concrète — it’s all expression.” (Michael Leonhart) Michael Leonhart – conductor, trumpet Dave Guy, Scott Wendholt, Jordan McLean, Carter Yasutake – trumpet Ray Mason – trombone Jeff Nelson – bass trombone Sam Sadigursky, Ian Hendrickson-Smith, Jason Marshall – saxophone Sara Schoenbeck – bassoon Pauline Kim – violin Emily Hope Price – cello Robbie Mangano – guitar Nathan Koci – accordion Joe Martin – bass E.J. Strickland – drums Elizabeth Pupo-Walker – percussion Daniel Freedman – percussion