Leigh Pilzer

Featuring
Leigh Pilzer, Baritone Saxophone

Jen Krupa, Trombone
Jackie Warren, Piano
Amy Shook, Bass
Sherrie Maricle, Drums

Strunkin’ is baritone saxophonist Leigh Pilzers first recording as a bandleader. She is joined by Jen Krupa on trombone, Sherrie Maricle on drums, Amy Shook on bass, and Jackie Warren on piano; long-time friends and colleagues from The DIVA Jazz Orchestra, the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra, and the critically acclaimed show Maurice Hines is Tappin Thru Life.

The musicians shared love and respect for straight-ahead, swinging jazz is evident throughout the CDsix original compositions by Leigh and one each by Amy and Jenstarting with the Konitz-inspired title track and continuing with the Ellingtonesque Miss Ally in Allyworld, the blues-drenched sass of Amys Brag Time, the reimagined bebop of Jens Duel at Dawn, and more.

Strunkin was recorded live at the 6th Annual Washington Women in Jazz Festival by Grammy-winning engineer Charlie Pilzer at Allyworld, the dual-purpose performance/tracking space at Airshow in Takoma Park, MD.

She is her own player, engaging in her own right and successfully so as this recording illustrates.
Robert Rusch, Cadence Magazine

She improvises with fluency and panache.
CapitalBop

Gruff and punchy, keeping to the low end, Pilzers got plenty to say.
Michael J. West, Washington CityPaper