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.

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.

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.

Highly spiritual & musically steadfast, pianist Joel Weiskopf has been making heads turn for quite some time with appearances on his brother Walt's acclaimed series of recordings before traveling on his own maiden voyage as a leader. Here he gives a broader picture of his talents as both a pianist & writer, backed by his brother on tenor, John Swana on trumpet, John Patitucci on bass & Jeff Brillinger on drums. Joel presents 8 distinctive compositions that are as deeply satisfying as they are harmonically complex & innovative.

For his sixth Criss Cross album, trombonist Steve Davis, also known for his work with Chick Corea, Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers, and the group One for All, shares the front line with Tom Harrell's tenor saxophonist Jimmy Greene. The rhythm section is made up of pianist Xavier Davis, bassist Dwayne Burno and drummer Nasheet Waits. Davis displays his customary buttery sound and understated propulsion - his seven originals are harmonically hip and unfailingly melodic.

This is Russian trumpet star Alex Sipiagin's third outing on Criss Cross. This time, as before, in the company of a group of New York jazz greats: tourist Seamus Blake and guitarist Adam Rogers plus a rhythm section consisting of piano star David Kikoski, bassist Boris Kozlov and drummer Jonathan Blake. Listen to the beautiful rendition of "Holland," a piece composed and arranged by Sipiagin and dedicated to bassist Dave Holland. The CD offers five Sipiagin originals and one Charles Mingus composition, "Tijuana Gift Shop".

On his Criss Cross debut, 29-year-old Detroit-born saxophonist J.D. Allen brings his own perspective to the aesthetic rumblings that stamped middle '60s jazz music. Boasting an open, richly textured tone, a meticulous, thoughtful approach, and a definitive sense of time, Allen interacts continuously with pianist Orrin Evans, bassist Eric Revis and drummer Gene Jackson over a stimulating hour of original music. On three titles as guest, the great new trumpeter Jeremy Pelt.

Award winning Dutch guitarist Jesse Van Ruller changes gears on his second Criss Cross outing, fronting a stellar quartet with Seamus Blake on tenor sax, Sam Yahel on organ, and Bill Stewart on drums. His previous album focused mainly on standards and classic jazz vehicles. In contrast, "Circles" showcases the leader's compositional talents first and foremost. In addition to six varied Van Ruller originals and one by tenor man Seamus Blake, the group offers a ballad reading of "Gone with the Wind" and a brisk, odd-metered rendition of the Irving Berlin classic "Cheek to Cheek." with his crisp tone, fluid phrasing, and vibrant imagination, Van Ruller continues to stake his claim as one of the globe's most promising straight-ahead jazz stylists.

Denver trumpet player (Vincent Herring) on 2nd Criss Cross outing fronts N.Y.C. quintet w. Don Braden-ts, Bruce Barth-pno, Ira Coleman-bs, Billy Drummond-dms, 5 Wendholt compositions+.

Long renowned as a sideman for Roy Haynes, the astute & insightful pianist/composer Kikoski is finally coming into his own as a leader in a quartet setting, inc. Seamus Blake, Scott Colley & Jeff "Tain" Watts.

On his first recording since 1993, pianist Campbell explores a program of nine iconic jazz standards composed in the '60s & '70s that defined his formative years from the perspective of a quarter century in the jazz business. Joined by the first-call bass/trap set team of Jay Anderson & Billy Drummond, Campbell, with a keenly calibrated touch, conjures fresh lines that embody cut-to-the-chase directness, always conscious of the fabric of the total trio sound.

This is Gisbert's 3rd Criss Cross album - he's joined on a four-horn front line by 3 of New York's finest - Conrad Herwig, Tim Ries, Jon Gordon & Greg Gisbert, as well as a 3-piece rhythm section.

Winner in the International Thelonius Monk Competition in 1999 presents his 4th recording as a leader for Criss Cross, with a band made up of creative improvisers like Nasheet Walt's, Reid Anderson, Duane Eubanks, Ralph Brown & Sam Newsome.

A Hammond B3 heavyweight since his days with Wes Montgomery, Melvin Rhyne returns to the fold for his first Criss Cross release since 2000's "Classmasters" (CRC #1183). His seventh effort for the label as a leader, "Tomorrow Yesterday Today" features guitarist Peter Bernstein and drummer Kenny Washington on a prime set of standards, with four cuts adding special guest tenor man Tad Shull.

Pianist has the ability to improvise lines that have the natural quality of an ear player, voiced & executed w. The sophistication & clarity of a conservatory-trained virtuoso, w. his quintet feat. Steve Wilson, Jim Rotondi, Peter Washington, Joe Farnsworth.

Tenor saxophonists join together on this set of up-tempo burners, ballads & medium tunes, feat. Kirk Lightsey, Christian McBride & Louis Hayes.

Debut album from master New Orleans drummer who spent 5 years with Ahmad Jamal, 6 years with Wynton Marsalis Quintet, as well Marsalis' Lincoln Center Jazz Orch.; he's joined here by LCJO colleagues Ryan Kisor, Wycliffe Gordon, Victor Goines, Farid Barron & Rodney Whitaker.

Two-saxophone setting is burning & atmospheric in the Cannonball & Coltrane mode, feat. Walt Weiskopf-sax, David Hazeltine-pno, Peter Washington-bss, Tony Reedus-drms.

Trumpeter joins his favorite musicians in a quartet/sextet setting feat. Tim Ries-sax, Steve Armour-trmb, Steve Wilson-sax, Bruce Barth-pno, Billy Drummond-drms + others. (Previously deleted 4/1/12. Original release date: Pre-2000)

Three tenor men from NYC, Eric Alexander, Ralph LaLama & Tad Shull are joined by the Melvin Rhyne Trio w. Melvin Rhyne-organ, Peter Bernstein-guitar & Kenny Washington-drums.

Young Philadelphia pianist's debut album, feat. his spontaneous, inventive style, inc. John Swana, Tim Warfield, Rodney Whitaker, Byron Landham.

Star-studded combination of two Thelonious Monk Competition first prize winners, Joshua Redman on tenor and trumpet player Ryan Kisor.

The Darrell Grant Quartet w. Grant-pno (Tony Williams, Betty Carter, Roy Haynes, Woody Shaw), Wallace Roney-tpt, Christian McBride-bs, Brian Blade-dms, originals and standards, 9 tracks.

Hard driving, big-toned Chicago tenor player, the Saxophone Competition.

Drummer with his quartet, feat. Chris Potter & Walt Weiskopf-sax, Peter Washington-bass.