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Before embarking on her musical career, NYC based jazz pianist and
composer Leslie Pintchik taught English literature (as a teaching
assistant) at Columbia University, where she also received her Master
of Philosophy degree in English literature. While in graduate school,
she decided to change course in an effort to give music a larger
place in her life. After some years of study, jam sessions and local
restaurant gigs, Leslie surfaced on the Manhattan scene in a trio
with legendary bassist Red Mitchell at Bradley's. Red chose Leslie
(along with guitarist Scott Hardy) for the warmth and powerful interplay
he heard in their music. Red Mitchell wrote "Leslie Pintchik and Scott Hardy
play miraculous music - in tune in all ways. And you can quote me
on that."
In 1992, Leslie formed her own trio with her musical partner Scott
Hardy
(now playing bass instead of guitar), and with drummers Keith Copeland
and Rich DeRosa. Shortly after that, she performed and recorded -- for over a decade -- with Scott Hardy, drummer Mark
Dodge and percussionist Satoshi
Takeishi. And most recently, Pintchik has been playing as a trio with bassist Hardy and drummer Michael Sarin, with whom she plans to record a live CD in June of 2012. They perform primarily in the New York City area at jazz venues that include the Kitano, Smalls Jazz Club, Bar Next Door, the Blue Note, Knickerbocker, 55 Bar, Sofia's and Watercolor Cafe. Her trio was one of four finalists in the 1995 Cognac
Hennessy Jazz Search. More recently, they performed as part of the JVC Jazz Festival at the Kitano Hotel in Manhattan.
Leslie, with Scott Hardy and percussionist Satoshi Takeishi, released
her debut CD entitled So Glad to Be Here on Ambient Records
in June 2004. In his review in Downbeat magazine, Ken Micallef wrote "...
Pintchik's music is fresh, full of light and instantly invigorating....
So Glad To Be Here is simply a joyous release.... Pintchik
and Takeishi express such playfulness in their musical conversations...
that their elation is contagious."
Her second CD, Quartets, also on Ambient Records, was released in October 2007. It features bassist Scott
Hardy and drummer Mark Dodge, with special guest artists Steve Wilson on
soprano and alto saxophones, and Satoshi Takeishi on percussion.
Timeout NY wrote "Pianist Leslie Pintchik’s playing urges the same kind of reflection in her listeners that she uses to make things sparkle. Just check the reserved but gorgeous version of 'Happy Days Are Here Again' on her new album, Quartets."
In the fall of 2010, Leslie released two new projects: her 3rd CD (We're Here To Listen), and a DVD/CD combo (Leslie Pintchik Quartet Live In Concert). Both projects again feature bassist Hardy, drummer Dodge and percussionist Takeishi. Jim Wilke, creator of the nationally syndicated "Jazz After Hours" radio show included We're Here To Listen on his "Best CD's of 2010" list, and the jazz journalist and scholar W. Royal Stokes included both projects in his "Best of 2010" list.
Stay Tuned!
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