Beverly Hills Outlook

April 5, 2005 - Jennifer Leitham at The LAX Westin Hotel

Just because she looks like Sandra Bullock, plays a left-handed bass and plays melody in the piano trio she fronts—don’t even think about writing her off as a novelty. Jennifer Leitham plays ‘jass’ with a passion. While the other bassists are content to play quarter notes, a few eighth notes and an occasional double-stop—that’s playing on two strings at once—Jennifer is out of the box playing double and triple stops in 16th notes--that’s fast—and generally turning the support instrument we have heretofore known into a front-line horn. Supported by very capable sidemen, Josh Nelson, piano, and Randy Drake, drums, she has not only a first-rate trio but she also has superb taste in the selection of tunes she presents. Some of the tunes I heard were Laverne Walk by Oscar Pettiford (a renowned bassist), Deluge by Wayne Shorter (one of the most creative jazz saxophonist and composers I have ever heard), and an original by her entitled Studio City Stomp. The latter tune has the distinction of earning her $87.00 (at a quarter of a cent per play on PBS radio—about 35,000 plays). Now you know why many local jazz musicians play in studio orchestras for a living (or teach). My guess is that Jennifer spends most of her free time practicing to maintain her highly developed chops. Her one solo tune of the set was All I Want by Joni Mitchell and it was an experience to behold seeing her completely fill the musical space by herself. Suffice it to say that it was well received and deservedly so. The Westin Hotel deserves credit for featuring such a forward-looking musical group such as this. Keep an eye on them and Jennifer Leitham.