Shows starring
Channeling Chet
Channeling Chet
Artist Bio
LEIF ARNTZEN - BIOGRAPHY
Leif is a trumpeter/singer songwriter from Vancouver, British Columbia, now living in New York. Born into a large family of musicians and artists, Leif was playing regional junior classical and jazz concerts by the age of 13. He started gigging professionally at the age of 15 with his father Lloyd, a jazz soprano saxophone player and singer. Between his charismatic stage appeal and his understated playing style heavily influenced by Chet Baker and Miles Davis, Leif has been a popular pick among New York based acoustic performers, singers, songwriters, and other original recording projects. Leif brought all those experiences into forming The Leif Arntzen Band, and since 2000 has been his full time personal project. Leif released “Channeling Chet”, a tribute to jazz great Chet Baker. The recording met with unanimous critical acclaim.
Leif has since recorded two follow up albums: “TLAB” (2003 Gwendoline Records), a collaborative collection of original songs, and “Ain’t Beauty Strange?” (2007 Gwendoline Records), a collection of original songs Leif composed in tribute to his native Canada.
In the spring of 2010 Leif recorded and released his latest interpretation of American classic My Funny Valentine, incorporating fresh new rhythms and harmonies that showcase his unique vocal and trumpet style. This recording of the timeless classic finds Leif at a new level, with fresh depth of artistry and musical nuance. He is currently engaged to further develop and record classics associated with Stan Getz, Chet Baker, Frank Sinatra, Miles Davis, and Antonio Carlos Jobim. A full length album is due to complete in the Fall.
Leif is at home in any modern setting. With his strong identity, technique and transcending style of interpretation, Leif allows the beauty of the classic song melody to bring his unique sound into universal appeal, and finds a special way to make the music yours and his alone.
Reviews and Quotes
PRESS QUOTES
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter: "Trumpeter Leif Arntzen, taking a brief vocal turn, provides the evening's most affecting moment - a gentle, Chet Baker-like rendition of 'Days of Wine and Roses.'"
Vin Scelsa, On-Air Host of "Idiot's Delight", WNEW New York: "Wonderful, moody, atmospheric, haunting, lyrical..."
Dan McGuire, Macintosh New York Music Festival: "Beautiful..."
David Finkle, The Village Voice: "And jazz fans, Chet lives. They're all worth watching, but Arntzen's the one to watch."
Chip Deffaa, The New York Post: "Gentle, curiously affecting..."
Dawn Eden, writer for Salon Magazine: "Leif's songs take you to a place of dreams, and his voice makes you want to stay there."
Ken Marks, New York Press: "The weird, compelling, twisted heart of the evening came in the short middle set...Leif Arntzen played a gorgeous muted trumpet and offered a sweet vocal on 'Be Nice To Me.'"
Linus Gelber, Music Dish: “Is Leif here yet? Yes, Leif is here. On soft, eloquent trumpet, gruff vocals and acoustic guitar, Leif Arntzen quiets the house with his jazzy and determined candlelight numbers”
SONG TITLES:
MY FUNNY VALENTINE
SILVER LINING
GIRL FROM IPANEMA
AUTUMN LEAVES
I CAN’T GET STARTED
I CONCENTRATE ON YOU
DO IT THE HARD WAY
EVERYTHING HAPPENS TO ME
THE THRILL IS GONE
YOU’RE DRIVING ME CRAZY
IT COULD HAPPEN TO YOU
MY IDEAL
BODY AND SOUL
SOLITUDE
OVER THE RAINBOW
BAUBLES, BANGLES, AND BEADS
QUIET NIGHTS OF QUIET STARTS (CORCOVADO)
I FALL IN LOVE TOO EASILY
‘ROUND ABOUT MIDNIGHT
YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT LOVE IS
SUMMER WIND
TWO COINS IN A FOUNTAIN
BLACK ORPHEUS
Specialties
Soloist - instrumental & vocal Jazz Duo or Group Jazz Vocal Film accompaniment Ensemble & Group - vocal & instrumental Duo - vocal & instrumental
Genre
jazz vocal jazz instrumental instrumental folk American Popular Standards