French guitarist and composer Michel LEONARDI made his name with ERGO SUM, a mythical Progressive rock band that recorded its sole album in 1971 ("Mexico"). One could already feel our man's jazz influences, as he started trying to follow the footsteps of such giants as Kenny BURRELL and Barney KESSEL, without mentioning B.B. KING's blues. After this experience, he was part of the rise of the electric jazz-rock style, playing with various bands. Then, he chose to retire from the musical scene in an early stage, refusing any sort of compromise that could have been alienating for his artistic freedom. He's back today with his own group LEO PROJECT, made of musicians from the "young" generation, such as the excellent trumpet player Christophe LELOIL and the pianist Robert BENZRIHEM. Still a big devoted to the works of artists who created modern music out of jazz, like John McLAUGHLIN, Wayne SHORTER or the almighty Joe ZAWINUL, Michel LEONARDI thus reaches his goal of performing only original and personal music. Here's the result, included in a self-titled album, published in the year 2008 on the Great Winds label. To be discovered !