The thrilling dynamism of the Michael Leonhart Orchestra will be here for a fourth consecutive month at Jazz Standard when the MLO return for this special one–night stand to perform "The Afrobeat Suite" with members of Antibalas. Steely Dan, Bruno Mars, Meryl Streep, and Ringo Starr are just a few of the many art­ists who’ve sought out Michael Leonhart for his ex­ceptional skills as a composer, arranger, producer, and instrumentalist. But the MLO is the project closest to his heart, and its spectacular butterfly–inspired concept album, The Painted Lady Suite (Sunnyside) captured all the power and beauty of this 21–piece band. The Orchestra includes members of the Village Vanguard Orchestra, the Maria Schneider Orchestra, the Dap–Kings, Menahan Street Band, and Antibalas. “Michael Leonhart’s The Painted Lady Suite is a testament to his glorious, unbridled ambition…Song titles like ‘The Experimental Forest, North Dakota,’ ‘The Arctic Circle’ and ‘1500 Feet Above The Sahara (Night)’ illustrate the depth of Leonhart’s research into the butterflies’ migration, while also nodding to the enormous scope of his sonic palette.” (Bobby Reed, Down Beat “Editors Picks,” August 2018) Michael Leonhart – leader, trumpet Philip Dizack, Dave Guy, Carter Yasutake, Jordan McLean – trumpet Ray Mayson – trombone John Ellis – tenor saxophone Ian Hendrickson-Smith – tenor saxophone, flute Jason Marshall – baritone saxophone Sara Schoenbeck – bassoon Nathan Koci – accordion Robbie Mangano – guitar Danton Boller – bass Elizabeth Pupo-Walker – percussion