For his Criss Cross debut, 28-year-old trumpeter Philip Dizack presents a suite of seven originals, an a cappella reading of Duke Ellington's I Got It Bad And That Ain't Good, and a trumpet bass duo of Lionel Loueke's Benny's Tune, that displays his exceptional maturity as a composer and facilitator of memorable improvisations. Providing the latter are multi-woodwindist-composer Ben Wendel on tenor saxophone, pianist Eden Ladin, and the kinetic bass-drum tandem of Joe Sanders and Eric Harland. Dizack himself enhances his ascendant reputation as a master of his instrument, displaying enviable range and consistent melodic invention, projecting deep emotion, and always telling a story.

Seamus Blake-ts & ss (Victor Lewis, Kevin Hays, Billy Drummond), Kurt Rosenwinkel-guitar, Kevin Hayes-piano, Larry Grenadier-bass, Bill Stewart-drums.

State of the Art is not only singer Dee Daniel's debut leader date for Criss Cross, but the label's first-ever release by a vocalist after three decades and hundreds of recordings by Jazz' best and brightest. It's a worthy addition-the Seattle-born vocalist, who sang two numbers on Wycliffe Gordon's recent Criss Cross date the intimate Ellington, brings her richly textured multi-octave voice, instrumentally-flexible phrasing, and keen interpretative abilities to a program comprising 13 gems from various corners of the American Songbook. Enhancing the swinging, soulful, old-master flavor and 21st century feel are tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, who contributes apropos testifying solos and obligatos throughout, and a synchronously grooving rhythm section with pianist Cyrus Chestnut, bassist Paul Beaudry, and drummer Alvester Garnett.

The highly sought after New York based pianist-composer contues his musical journey with Links. This high octane CD brings together three musicians with whom pianist Luis Perdomo has long standing musical relationships. Bassist Dwayne Burno and Luis began playing together, soon after Luis' arrival in New York City by way of Caracas. Drummer Rodney Green often pairs up with Luis in a variety of ensembles, most notably on Joe Sanders' Criss Cross release Introducing Joe Sanders (CRC 1344).Last but not least, Perdomo has been an integral part of the groundbreaking quartet led by saxophonist Miguel Zenon for the last 14 years.

On Reflections, a co-led sextet recital comprising two charts from Russian tenor saxophonist-bandleader Igor Butman and six from trombonist Conrad Herwig. For the tenth CD that Herwig has either led or co-led for Criss Cross since 1997, he recruits trumpeter (and Criss Cross veteran) Alex Sipiagin to round out the front line, and a killer rhythm section comprising pianist David Kikoski, bassist Kenny Davis and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts. Well-known as the leader and guiding intelligence of the Moscow State Jazz Orchestra, Butman, in a rare sideman appearance with a combo of New York A-listers, brings his A-game, improvising with heat and logic that his partners match throughout.

Hazeltine showcases the virtuostic pianistics & nuanced arrangements that have become his trademark on this, his 4th Criss Cross release; quartet features Eric Alexander, Dwayne Burno & Joe Farnsworth.

With Swing On This, the all-star quintet Opus 5 presents it's fifth Criss Cross album, and first since 2015, when Criss-Cross released Tickle [Criss 1383), which itself was preceded - in backwards chronology - by Progression [Criss 1369], Pentasonic [Criss 1351], and Introducing Opus 5 [Criss 1339], each recorded a year apart. The "all star" sobriquet is not an exaggeration - the collective discographies of trumpeter Alex Sipiagin, tenor saxophonist Seamus Blake, pianist David Kikoski, bassist Boris Kozlov, and drummer Donald Edwards, all international first-callers, total more than 30 Criss Cross leader dates. The Album was recorded September 7, 2021 at the Samurai Hotel Recording Studio in NY. Recording engineer Mike Marciano who also did the editing, mixing and mastering at Systems Two in NY.

For his tenth Criss Cross date as a leader, trumpeter John Swana presents his first twin-tenor sextet. Swana, tenor saxophonists Eric Alexander and Grant Stewart, pianist David Hazeltine, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington have intersected on many occasions, but never together in a group. Bright Moments focuses largely on original material with a couple of standards thrown in for good measure; but the writing is so captivating, the performances so attention-grabbing, that it feels like an album of well-known songs. The ever-inventive Swana creates here challenging contexts for his sextet, with an emphasis on hard-swinging and refined balladry.

It would be fellow Criss Cross associate Walt Weiskopf who would bring Conrad Herwig into the label's fold back in 1992. The trombonist would then go on to record his own Criss Cross debut, Heart of Darkness (CRC 1155) in 1998. Now some 15 years into his tenure, Herwig has recorded eight remarkable and engagingly diverse albums with A Voice Through the Door being his latest breakthrough. Highlighting a distinguished composer, this inspired recital includes seven new Herwig originals along with a reworking of the standard All or Nothing At All. Then emphasis is on shared communication, an aspect that is clearly evident through Herwig's long track record with pianist Orrin Evans and drummer Donald Edwards. Adding something new to the mix, however, are new associations with tenor man Ralph Bowen and bassist Kenny Davis, thenselves frequent collaborators going back to their days with the band Out of the Blue.

Justin Robinson's adventurous alto saxophone sound is at the center of this powerful quintet session, a tribute to the late bassist and Criss Cross regular Dwayne Burno. Featuring Burno himself on bass in one of the last sessions before his untimely death in late december 2013. Alana's Fantasy finds Robinson and his esteemed colleagues in peak form, playing standards, originals, music by Jackie McLean, Thelonious Monk and more.Trumpeter Michael Rodriguez, a noted Criss Cross leader and sideman, joins Robinson in the frontline, while Sullivan Fortner makes his Criss Cross debut, and drummer Willie Jones III his first label appearance since 2008.

Despite busy schedules, the five co-leaders of Opus 5 return once again with a fourth album, Tickle, a statement of great virtuosity, melodic integrity and rhythmic focus. Taking it's place alongside Introducing Opus 5, Pentasonic and Progressions, this session finds the band in peak form, interpreting compositions by all the band's members. From the shifting funk to swing of drummer Donald Edwards-penned title track, to the singable purity of tenorist Seamus Blake's opening Silver Pockets, to the poetic bass cadenza and plaintive mood of bassist Boris Kozlov's closing ballad Murzake, Tickle secures Opus 5's place as one of the most compelling and long-lived collectives in recent years. Pianist David Kikoski composed the beautiful New Old Ballad, trumpeter Alex Sipiagin wrote Equilibrium.

Joe Cohn's second Criss Cross outing is a swinging affair. Joined by Dutch master pianist Peter Beets, and New York A-Listers, bassist John Webber and drummer Kenny Washington, the young guitar veteran (who is the son of the iconic tenor saxophonist-composer Al Cohn) addresses a strong program of first-rate, less traveled jazz and songbook standards, uncorking a string of inspired solos that blend Polish and vigor with a style that traverses a broad timeline of vocabulary on his instrument - he reaffirms his position as a major voice on today's playing field.

An intriguing element of Michael Feinberg's superb Criss Cross debut is that the leader could easily have titled it "Bassist In The Background" (Fans of Duke Ellington's wonderful 1960 LP Pianist In The Background will know what I mean.) Throughout Blues Variant - which includes six tunefully percolating originals by Feinberg, one by tenor saxophonist Noah Preminger, and one by pianist Leo Genovese - the 35-year-old bass maestro hews to the mantra, "If you want to hear me solo, come to a gig, where I often play a solo on every tune". The Album was recorded January 17, 2022 at the Samurai Hotel Recording Studio in NY. Recording engineer Mike Marciano also did the editing, mixing and mastering at Systems Two in NY. Photography by Anna Yatskevich.

Famous recording session with Chet Baker on trumpet, Warne Marsh ontenor sax, Hod O'Brien on piano, Cecil McBee on bass and Eddie Gladden on drums. Originally this recording has been released on LP, the release on CD included two alternate takes. The album was recorded September 30, 1984 in Studio 44 in Monster (The Netherlands) with recording engineer Max Bolleman who also mixed and mastered the album.

Baritone saxophonist is backed by a 10 piece brass ensemble playing music composed, arranged & conducted by Bob Belden, who based all of the music on the blues; features Bill Charlap, Christian McBride & Kenny Washington.

Re-release of 1986 LP inc. 3 extra tracks, with Pete Leitch-guitar, Neil Swainson-bass & Mickey Roker-drums.

On his seventh Criss Cross date, and second two-trombone pairing with Steve Davis, Conrad Herwig offers a tribute to eight trombone heroes. Joined by the rhythm section with whom Herwig plays regularly in the Mingus Big Band and Mingus Dynasty, pianist Orrin Evans, bassist Boris Kozlov and drummer Donald Edwards, the trombonists navigate from bebop to modal, to Brazilian to Afro-Cuban, playing with invention and joie de vivre.

A major force in Russian jazz since the mid '90's, pianist Yakov Okun, finally places himself on the international stage with his Criss Cross debut, a trio date with world-class bass-drum team Ben Street and Billy Drummond on which he mixes challenging original material with strong arrangements and less traveled songbook repertoire and tunes by Sonny Rollins, and Fats Waller. At 38, Okun is an individualistic voice, an important player, able in his improvisations to refract an entire timeline of jazz vocabulary in a cogent, compositional manner.

Criss Cross is proud to present the leader debut of bassist Joe Sanders, who is most widely known on the international scene for his long association with pianist Gerald Clayton's Trio, and is often heard with the best and brightest of his New York City peer group, of whom he convenes three - pianist Luis Perdomo, alto saxophonist Wil Vinson, and drummer Rodney Green (rising star vocalist Gretchen Parlato joins the mix on Sanders' Journey and Sorrow) for a diverse recital comprising 7 strikingly melodic, harmonically sophisticated originals that cover a range of stylistic food groups, as well as 2 jazz standards (Cedar Walton's Hindsight and Pat Metheny's Question and Answer) and a songbook chestnut (The Things We Did Last Summer).

Fierce tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander is joined on 8 tracks (both standards & originals) by Jim Rotondi, Steve Davis, Daved Hazeltine, Peter Washington & Joe Farnsworth.

Recorded in New York City in 1994 by the collective quintet M.T.B., this album is a snapshot of 5 elite young improvisers - pianist Brad Mehldau, tenor saxophonist Mark Turner, guitarist Peter Bernstein, bassist Larry Grenadier & drummer Leon Parker.

Tom Williams Quintet w. Tom Williams-tpt & fluegelhorn, Gary Thomas-ts & ss, Kevin Hayes-pno, Peter Washington-bs, Kenny Washington-dms. (Previously deleted 5/1/08. Original release date: 10/11/94)

Solo release from member of Tana Reid Quinet led b Reid. (Previously deleted 1/1/07. Original release date: Pre-2000)

ANACAPA

On his Criss Cross debut, take-no-prisoners alto saxophonist Mike DiRubbo, a protege of Jackie McLean, explores a compelling program of modernist jazz standards and original music. Pushing the proceedings are a first-call New York rhythm section featuring pianist Mike LeDonne, bassist Dwayne Burno, drummer Joe Farnsworth, as well as firebrand trumpeter Jim Rotondi.