Channeling the linear rhythmic energy of Bud Powell and Thelonious Monk, the reflective harmonic spirit of Keith Jarrett and Bill Evans, and the romantic spirit of Latin music, pianist Edward Simon presents a comprehensive portrait of his unique musical concept on his first trio album since 1995. Simon is accompanied by the great John Patitucci (Waynte Shorter's bassist) and drummer Eric Harland.

For his fourth Criss Cross Jazz release as a leader, young trumpet sensation Ryan Kisor reunites with the rhythm section from his "Point of Arrival CD" - Peter Zak on piano, bassist John Webber, and Willie Jones III on drums - for a program of six original compositions, the standard ballad "I Should Care," and the Dizzy Gillespie classic "Fiesta Mojo." on the latter track Ryan's quartet is augmented with the terrific tenor of Eric Alexander and percussionist Renato Thom's.

As he has done on his three previous Criss Cross dates, Russian trumpeter Alex Sipiagin brings together a cohort of New York's finest - here reedmen Chris Potter and David Binney, keyboardist David Kikoski, bassist Scott Colley, and drummer Gene Jackson - to perform on "Equilibrium." Comprising seven stimulating Sipiagin originals, a Monk tune and a bossa, the album features not only the ensemble interplay and virtuosic soloing we've come to expect from Sipiagin's albums, but also several tunes on which the trumpeter brings his rich imagination and ravishing tone to the forefront.

Sacred music has long been a source of inspiration and creativity for the jazz musician. "Forever," Jimmy Greene's second release as a leader for Criss Cross, finds the tenor saxophonist continuing this rich tradition. Backed by the hard swinging rhythm section of Xavier Davis on piano, John Benitez on bass and Jeff 'Tain" Watts on drums, Greene combines modern arrangements of traditional spirituals with originals inspired by sacred themes. Greene's talents as an arranger and bandleader are in full view, as he gives classic spirituals a fresh, contemporary treatment.

For his fifth Criss Cross recording, Alex Sipiagin assembles a top-shelf quintet of generational peers, all colleagues who rank at the top of the pack on their respective instruments, to play a program of original music. The mood is melodic, polyphonic, rhythmically intense, more simmering than fiery, defined by Sipiagin's burnished, golden sound, the individualistic voice-like statements of tourist Seamus Blake and guitarist Adam Rogers, and the intuitive accompaniment of bassist Scott Colley and drummer Antonio Sanchez.

Joined by New York A-list Larry Grenadier and Bill Stewart, young guitar virtuoso Jonathan Kreisberg offers an impressive leader debut. Equally comfortable with bebop (Charlie Parker's "Relaxing at Camarillo"), the American song book ("Summertime," "My Ideal" and "Just in Time"), Jazz Modernism (Wayne Shorter's "JuJu") and Pop ("Michelle"), Kreisberg's instrumental voice is zestful, reflective and warm - every solo states a considered point of view.

Tough young tenor Tim Warfield, permanent member of trumpet star Nicholas Payton's quintet, has his boss here in a sideman role with vibes-wizard Stefon Harris, pianist Cyrus Chestnut, bassist Tarus Mateen, and drummer Clarence Penn. This is an exciting, hard swinging album with mostly Warfield originals.

After presenting a program of gnarly originals for quartet on "Ultimatum" (CRC #1222), his Criss Cross debut, pianist George Colligan offers a beautifully paced trio recital. Mixing well-wrought originals with iconic standards like "Sophistcated Lady" and "Body and Soul" and such less-traveled repertoire as "Holiday for Strings" and "Three Views of a Secret," Colligan again displays the musicality and personal perspective that have marked his oeuvre over the past decade. In the rhythm section: bassist Vicente Archer and drummer Bill Stewart.

Pollwinning trombonist Conrad Herwig and acclaimed trumpeter Brian Lynch join together for a burning program of Latin Jazz treatments of compositions by the great John Coltrane. Herwig and Lynch use the unique rapport they've achieved through their many years of association with the Latin master Eddie Palmieri to pilot their working group of Latin Jazz all-stars with fire, finesse, and flair. Their illustrious band mates are baritone saxist/flautist Mario Rivera, pianist Edsel Gomez, bassist John Benitez, drummer Robby Ameen, and percussionist Richie Flores. With all new arrangements by Herwig and Lynch, this CD is a most worthy follow-up to Herwig's Grammy nominated "The Latin Side of John Coltrane."

Speaking eloquently to the benefits of keeping a working band together, One for All continues to add some distinctive flair to the mainstream tradition while building a singular book of originals and uniquely arranged standards. "Blueslike," their fifth effort for Criss Cross, finds John Coltrane firmly in mind with an uptempo romp through Giant Steps, and a bossa-inflected Naima. Rounding out this program of jazz standards are a few band originals and an updated arrangement of the Bacharach trinket in Between the Heartaches. In the band: Eric Alexander on tenor sax, Jim Rotondi on trumpet, Steve Davis on trombone, with pianist David Hazeltine, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Joe Farnsworth.

Perhaps no contemporary pianist blends Latin and Jazz vocabulary with the deftness and fluency of Ed Simon, who demonstrates the point on his second Criss Cross outing. Bassist Avishai Cohen and drummer Adam Cruz, both equally versed in the art of telling stories in swing and clave, join Simon on a program of six originals and a standard "You're My Everything." Guitarist Adam Rogers, himself a Criss Cross artist, and vocalist Luciana Souza augment the trio on the tune "Unknown Path."

For his fourth disc for Criss Cross, drummer/leader Ralph Peterson has reconstituted the Fo'tet, his critically acclaimed forward-looking quartet featuring vibraphonist Bryan Carrott. Founding member clarinetist Don Byron returns after a nearly 15 years hiatus to revisit the group's truly unique, original sound. Percussionist Eguie Castillo augments the band to help it fuse Latin rhythms into the mix, including a Puerto Rican plena arrangement of Joe Henderson's "Shade of Jade" and a Brazilian samba flavored reworking of the leader's "Keep it Simple." Features bassist Belden Bullock.

WIDE HORIZONS

25-year-old trumpeter Jeremy Pelt has garnered notice for his superb charts and professionalism since landing in New York four years ago. "Insight," his Criss Cross debut, demonstrates that he's also a composer with a point of view. Helping him articulate it are a take-no-prisoners ensemble of New York's finest callers, all 30-and-under, with the exception of veteran drum avatar Ralph Peterson. Features tenor saxophonist Jimmy Greene, alto saxophonist Myron Walden, pianist Rick German son and bassist Vincente Archer.

For his ninth Criss Cross session as a leader, trumpet sensation John Swana makes the scene again with several of his peers from the city of Brotherly Love for a follow-up to 2001's "Philly Gumbo" (CRC #1203). Featuring the twin tenors of Bootsie Barnes and Larry McKenna, this CD offers a bristling set of hardbop delights, the kind of fare you might hear in Philly when dropping in at Ortlieb's Jazzzhaus to catch Swana for a set or two. The rhythm section has Sid Simmons on piano, Mike Boone on bass, and drummer Byron Landham.

Every note of Yahel's debut album is marked by a quality of analytical reflection - he's been working Wednesday nights for 3 years at Smalls in Greenwich Village w. young masters Peter Bernstein & Brian Blade, who back him up here.

Within the small circle of modern jazz trombonists, few would argue that Steve Davis stands apart from the crowd, not only as a singular instumental voice but also as a gifted composer. With Systems Blue, his fifth Criss Cross album to date, Davis explores a distinguished set of jazz standards while being accompanied by his rhythm section partners from One for All - pianist David Hazeltine, bassist Peter Washington, and drummer Joe Farnsworth. Alto saxophonist Mike DiRubbo joins the group on two titles.

Walt Weiskopf's eighth recording for Criss Cross is a ten-part suite for jazz sextet. A celebration of the relationship between various art forms, the suite was inspired by the graphic art of modern masters ranging from Dali, to Picasso, to van Gogh. Weiskopf utilizes elements of jazz and classical music, skillfully integrating improvisation and written themes. The CD is brought to life by Weiskopf and his longtime associates: alto saxophonist Andy Fusco, trombonist John Mosca, pianist Joel Weiskopf, bassist Doug Weiss and drummer Billy Drummond.

Rare is the debut album that presents a vision so mature and cosmopolitan as that expressed by guitarist Adam Rogers on this CD. Nor is it a commonplace for any musician to realize their concept with the authority and elegance Rogers imparts to the entire program. The A-list rhythm section, pianist Ed Simon, bassist Scott Colley, and drummer Clarence Penn, are fully in synch throughout a varied program.

Tenor saxophonist's quartet w. James Williams on piano, Christian McBride on bass and Elvin Jones on drums, recorded December 16, 1991.

Tenor saxophonist Walt Weiskopf - following a series of Criss Cross recordings featuring his original music for larger ensembles - places here the primary focus on his instrumental voice. Joined by star pianist Brad Mehldau, mega-bassist John Patitucci, and rising star drummer Clarence Penn, Weiskopf plays with characteristic surge, trampolining through the notes as though liberated from gravitational encumbrance. At all times he achieves the improviser's grail of telling a singular story.

Save for a major revamp of "Lullaby of the Leaves," trombonist Conrad Herwig's fifth Criss Cross release, "Land of the Shadows," is a program of originals performed by a hard-swinging sextet that features trumpeter Tim Hagans, tenor saxophonist Ben Schachter and Criss Cross regulars David Kikoski on piano, James Genus on bass and Jeff "Tain" Watts on drums. A veteran of the Mingus Big Band and Eddie Palmieri's Latin combo, Herwig continues to turn heads by displaying virtuosity of the highest order.

New York guitarist Peter Bernstein has a focused, musical concept that features a pure tone and singing phrases. He chooses notes carefully and creates intelligent and interesting solos. Consequently, he is in great demand, and appears on many Criss Cross dates. Peter is also a prolific composer - next to Billy Stayhorn's "Blood Count" and the song "Dedicated to You," the CD offers six Bernstein compositions. Here, on "Heart's Content," his fifth for the label as a leader, he is in the company of a top-notch rhythm section featuring famous pianist Brad Mehldau, bassist Larry Grenadier, and drum wizard Bill Stewart.

Again, another impressive session from the Russian trumpet player (and New Yorker since 1991) Alex Sipiagin. His highly interesting compositions and arrangements are played by a group of top-notch New York jazz musicians, tenor saxist Chris Potter, rising guitar great Adam Rogers, fellow Russian bassist Boris Kozlov, and the formidable Herbie Hancock associate, Gene Jackson on drums.

One of the more ideal ensemble combinations in jazz is the piano trio, with David Kikoski serving as a major proponent of the genre. For his fourth Criss Cross album, Kikoski leads a powerhouse trio with bassist James Genus & master drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts. This is easily Kikoski's best album to date, giving him space to romp through a diverse set of tunes, covering everything from Brazilian sambas to pop masterpieces by Frank Zappa & Brian Wilson.