Michael Leonhart's new album is a testament to his glorious, unbridled ambition. He composed, arranged and conducted all the music on The Painted Lady Suite, an album that he also produced. He recruited more than 30 musicians- including guitarist Nels Cline and tenor saxophonist Donny McCaslin-for the recording sessions, during which he played trumpet, bass trumpet, French horn, mellophonium, electric bass, organ, pump orgran, mellotron, bass harmonica and bass melodica. The bulk of the album consists of the seven-part titular suite, which was inspired by Leonhart's fascination with migrating swarms of painted lady butterflies. - DownBeat Magazine Editors' Pick
