Bassist/guitarist began performing in Baltimore (then nationally) with brother Bill Leonhart as musical comedy duo in late-‘40s-50s. Locally Jay was a member of Rivers Chambers group, Pier 5 Dixieland Band, and as a member of Bob Vigoda Trio backed jazz vocalist Joyce Carr. Jay attended the Berklee School of Music in Boston, and joined Buddy Morrow’s touring band in 1960.
Leonhart went on to work with many well-known jazz and pop artists including James Taylor, Stevie Wonder, Carly Simon, and many others.
He appears on the 1977 Barbara Carroll album “From the Beginning.”
