Scott Yanow

Music Connection
January 21 - February 3, 1991

The great altoist Richie Cole put on a typically good-humored set during his opening night at Catalina's...with the fluent (and very young-looking) bassist John Leitham taking solos worthy of a saxophonist.

The Real Me

All Music Guide to Jazz

A brilliant bassist, Jennifer Leitham also wrote all 11 songs for her trio set. The titles are often witty (including "Beat The Meatles" which is a Beatles medley), the music is straightahead and the musicianship is top-notch. There are a lot of bass solos on this program and on "Riff Raff" there are six bass parts, three apiece played by Leitham and guest John Clayton. But pianist Josh Nelson gets his spots, drummer Randy Drake is excellent in support and, once one gets used to the bass often playing the theme, this is a highly enjoyable outing.

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