Patrick Leonhard

"The music is thoughtful and colorful, like a Russell Chatham landscape, and there are more deep shadows and dark corners that you might expect, but then if you decided to view life as a fisherman, all that stuff would be in there somewhere."

- John Gierach, Lyons, Colorado


Like the Wyoming waterways and Montana streams that inspired it, Patrick Leonard's debut solo recording Rivers is a temperamental musical beauty. Featuring nine original contemporary instrumental piano compositions, the CD showcases a heretofore-unrevealed side of Leonard's musical character.

Renowned for his production work with Elton John, Madonna, Jewel, Roger Waters and countless other superstars, Patrick takes center stage on Rivers as composer and solo pianist. Accompanied by bassist John Patitucci, percussionist Luis Conte and cellist Sachi Patitucci, Leonard has created an uncategorizable recording that combines the melodic sweep of classical music, the rhythmic insistence of jazz and the epic caress of Gershwin-era pop. The result is an elegant yet primal recording that's as rootsy and lyrical as an Ansel Adams print.

Rivers was inspired by a fly fishing expedition. Upon returning home, Leonard spent nearly a week recording piano improvisations. He then sorted through the tapes and sculpted the most promising passages into the nine tracks featured on the CD. "I would just listen, and when something interesting would come up I would write it down," Leonard recalls. "The challenge was to see if I could put wings on these spontaneous improvisations."
At once modest and magnificent, Rivers redefines the American Gothic sensibility, combining the rustic allure of folk music with the citified splendor of classical and jazz. From the tempestuous strains of the opening track "Lewis/Shoshone," to the mysterious descending chords of "Boy Scouts & Cutthroats" to the closing notes of "Spring Creek," Rivers heralds the arrival of a compelling new musical conceptualist.

"I love those old records from the Seventies, especially the concept records," Leonard says. "There was a vibe there that continues to appeal to me. That's the same feeling I wanted to capture with Rivers. From the music to the artwork, I wanted this record to be an honest personal statement."

But music is only half the story here. Rivers also marks the official launch of Leonard's own record company, unitone recordings. With an emphasis on musical exploration, well-crafted packaging, insightful liner notes and uncompromising quality, unitone recordings is the label many alienated music lovers have dreamed of - a home for disenfranchised classical, jazz, contemporary instrumental, new age and world musicians and vocalists.

Patrick invites unitone artists to change the rules in their search for musical self-awareness. "Unitone is about musicians that want to put their emotional, musical and spiritual energy into something truly creative," Leonard says. "I try to encourage the musicians on the label to think only as artists and create from their hearts."

In all respects, Rivers exemplifies the unitone philosophy, from the performance to the artwork to the sound quality of the recording. Like all of the label's recordings, Rivers was mixed and mastered with audiophiles in mind. To further that end, unitone is working with DTS (Digital Theater Systems) to make label releases concurrently available in the 5.1 (discrete surround) format.

Rivers is just the latest chapter in Leonard's impressive career. Born and raised in the Midwest, he moved to Los Angeles in 1984. Immediately, Patrick won notoriety as Musical Director (and keyboardist) for the Jacksons epic "Victory" tour. Just months after returning from the Jacksons tour, Leonard teamed with Madonna for what remains one of the most successful collaborative unions in contemporary pop history. Beginning by organizing the music for Madonna's "Virgin Tour," Leonard went on to produce and co-write four albums for the songstress, including "True Blue," "Who's That Girl," "Like A Prayer" and "Breathless." He co-produced and co-wrote some of Madonna's acclaimed, multi-platinum 1998 album, "Ray of Light," including the hit "Frozen."

Leonard's remarkable ability for writing, arranging, producing and instrumental performance resulted in collaborations with some of the music industry's most revered artists. Since his early Eighties arrival, Leonard has overseen recordings by Rod Stewart, Fleetwood Mac, Jeff Beck, Roger Waters, Bryan Adams, Robbie Robertson, Bryan Ferry and others. Leonard was also a founding member and principal writer for the bands Toy Matinee and Third Matinee whose releases have become cult classics.

Additionally, Leonard composed the soundtracks for the acclaimed films "With Honors," "Nothing in Common" and "At Close Range." Most recently, he teamed with Elton John for the soundtrack to Disney's hit animated feature, "The Road to El Dorado."

With Rivers, Leonard has created an album inspired and animated by the tempestuous rhythms of nature; a gorgeous recording that ebbs, surges and carries listeners along on currents of pure musical energy. Like a river.