Holding On With Leigh

Holding On With Leigh

Bruce Von Stiers

Leigh Pilzer plays baritone saxophone. But she is more than a simple saxophonist. Leigh is also a composer and band leader. She has helped lead ensembles such as the DIVA Jazz Orchestra and the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra. Based in the Washington, D.C. area, Leigh has performed at the Kennedy Center as well as the Blues Alley and worked artists such as Chuck Brown and Eva Cassidy.

A couple of years ago, I reviewed Leigh's album Beatin' The Odds. It was a great album that reflected Leigh's recovery from cancer and how the world was working towards moving on from the recent pandemic.

This year Leigh has a new album coming out. The title of the album is Keep Holding On. It is being released on the Strange Woman Records label.

On the album, there is Greg Holloway on drums, Paul Bratcher on the Hammond B3, Jen Krupa and Joe Jackson on trombone, along with Kenny Rittenhouse and Ally Hany Albrecht on trumpet. And Leigh is on baritone saxophone. All of the artists except Bratcher played on Leigh's previous album I mentioned earlier, Beatin' The Odds.

The album was eleven songs and a play time of an hour and eleven minutes. Leigh wrote nine of the songs, with Holloway writing one and Bratcher writing the other.

The album opens with Swinging at the Station. It is a fast moving, toe tapping piece that slows down for a tiny bit for a drum solo. There is also a cool organ solo that, along with Leigh's sax playing, enhances the bop sound of the song.

Js and Ks is the second song. It is a fun tune with the horns playing off each other. It kind of reminded me of those cool, laid-back tunes from the old comedy films of Tony Curtis and company.

Musing Music has a mild and melodic sound, sort of like a nice evening stroll along the lakeside with your love.

What's Up, Puppy has some cool trumpet. Leigh wrote the song as homage to composer Dr. David Baker. And there is some nice sax back by organ and drums.

Then there is the title track, Keep Holding On. The song has a light, toe-tapping beat, with Leigh's sax playing front and center.

When It's Gone seems a bit sad and sullen in parts. It made me think of a funeral procession. Then the song moves into more of a celebratory tone.

Zingamomma is my favorite song on the album. It is a fun and energetic song that had my feet tapping and head bopping. This is the song written by Paul Bratcher and has cool sax and organ, backed by some tough drums.

Just Another Pretty Song is a slow and easy bossa nova styled song.

East Coast Andy speeds things back up with a toe-tapping beat. At times, it has an almost Pink Panther vibe to it. Maybe that's because the song is named after a cat. I also like this song quite a bit.

If you like the Big Band sound, then Sideburns is the song for you. It has a fun and enthusiastic Big Band vibe. The song has a killer trombone solo.

The last song is G's Bop. Written by Greg Holloway, it is cool bop tune, and a great way to close the album.

The press release for Keep Holding On homes in on Leigh's ability to mold musical instruments into a structured voice that provides a “single, cohesive artistic statement.” I think that the songs on this album do exactly that. Whether it's slow and easy, laid back or toe-tapping music, this album has a majorly cool jazz vibe.

There was a CD release party for Keep Holding On on May 29th in Washington, D.C. It will be available worldwide on June 19th , 2026.

For additional information about Leigh Pilzer and Keep Holding On, visit Leigh's website at https://www.leighpilzer.com .

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