Leslie Pintchik, a NYC-based jazz composer and pianist, taught English literature at Columbia University as a teaching assistant before she embarked on her musical career. Leslie was first seen on the Manhattan jazz scene as a member of a trio that included Red Mitchell, the legendary bassist. Red chose Leslie, along with Scott Hardy, for the warmth and power interplay that he heard in their music. Red Mitchell wrote, “Leslie Pintchik u0026 Scott Hardy play miracle music – in tune all the ways.” You can trust me when I say that. Pintchik, along with Scott Hardy, formed her own trio, as well as a number of drummers including current band-mates Satoshi Takeishi and Michael Sarin. Her trio regularly performs at New York City jazz venues like the Kitano and Smalls Jazz Club, Bar Next Door (Blue Note), Knickerbocker (Kickerbocker), and 55 Bar. They were one of four finalists for the Cognac Hennessy Jazz Search. More recently, they performed at the JVC Jazz Festival at Kitano Hotel in Manhattan. In June 2004, Leslie released her debut album entitled So Glad To Be Here on Ambient Records with Scott Hardy and Satoshi Takeishi as percussionists. Ken Micallef, in Downbeat magazine’s review, wrote “… Pintchik is fresh, light, and immediately invigorating …. So Glad to Be Here is a joyful release …. Pintchik u0026 Takeishi show such joy in their musical conversations… that it is contagious. Quartets, her second album, was also released on Ambient Records in October 2007. The album features Scott Hardy as bassist and Mark Dodge as drummer, along with special guests Steve Wilson and Satoshi Takeishi playing percussion. Timeout NY said that pianist Leslie Pintchik encourages reflection in her listeners and uses the same techniques to make things shine. Check out the beautiful, reserved version of “Happy Days Are Here Again” from her new album Quartets. Two new projects were released by Leslie in the autumn of 2010. They were her third CD, We’re Here to Listen, and a DVD/CD combo entitled Leslie Pintchik Quintet Live In Concert. Both albums feature Hardy as bassist, Dodge as drummer and Takeishi as percussionist. Jim Wilke, the creator of nationally syndicated jazz radio program “Jazz After Hours”, included We’re here To Listen on his list of “Best CDs of 2010”. W. Royal Stokes, jazz journalist and scholar, included both projects on his “Best of 2010” list. Leslie recorded her new CD, “In The Nature Of Things”, recently with a stellar group: jazz saxophonist Steve Wilson and Ron Horton as well as Scott Hardy, Scott Hardy, Satoshi Takeishi, drummer Michael Sarin, and Scott Hardy. The new CD will be released on March 25, 2014. from www.lesliepintchik.com
