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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

Pianist's quintet/trio w. Tom Harrell, Gary Smulya Dennis Irwin, and Kenny Washington, recorded January 2, 1990.

Original, striking jazz from trombonist in a sextet setting, feat. Walt Weiskopf, Stefon Harris, Bill Charlap, Peter Washington & Billy Drummond.

This is Eric Alexander's 4th release as a leader, and is his most cohesive to date. His trademark big-sound tenor sax is joined here by 74 year old baitone sax legend Cecil Payne, pianist David Hazeltine, bass player John Webber and Joe Farnsworth on drums.

Hot rising tenor sax player & quartet is presented here in an organ context w. veteran Melvin Rhyne that transcends the traditional organ-tenor session w. a sensitive & swinging modern presentation, joined by Bobby Broom-guitar, Joe Farnsworth-drums.

Coryell is the classic 1969 studio album that is known as the best Sounding Larry Coryell release. Rolling Stone - "Play this loud and your life might change forever". Out of print on vinyl until now. This deluxe package includes an OBI strip, Single album jacket, Printed inner sleeve, Original record labels and special Crystal Clear Rose Color Vinyl.

Classic 1974 from The Godfather of Fusion. This is the 1st studio album from The Eleventh House which was a jazz fusion group of the 1970s, led by the guitarist Larry Coryell. The album is Known as Coryell's "Finest Achievement". This deluxe package will include an OBI strip, gatefold album jacket, printed inner sleeve, original record labels and specialty color vinyl. Clear, Blue/Purple/Clear Swirl Color Vinyl

Tenor saxophonist's second Criss Cross release, swinging tour de force from hard bop to ballads, standards & originals, w. John Swana-trumpet, Peter Bernstein-guitar, Kenny Barron-piano, Peter Washington-bass, Carl Allen-drums.

This album was recorded live on June 18, 1971, during the Jazz Festival at Montreux. This is one of the best Jazz Fusion live album... With Larry Coryell (guitar), Chuck Rainey (bass) & the famous Pretty Purdie (drums). A MUST HAVE ALBUM... in Marbled Pink & White vinyl LP.

New York-based trumpeter plays w. fire & authenticity; his tunes on this debut represent the essence of modern mainstream jazz, feat. Eric Alexander, Larry Goldings, Dwayne Burno, Billy Drummond. (Previously deleted 4/1/12. Original release date: 3/18/97)

Pianist's trio with Buster Williams on bass, and Lewis Nash on drums, recorded December 29, 1988 and January 2, 1989.

Not one to be typecast by a decidedly mainstream background that included stints with Wynton Marsalis & the Lincoln Center Jazz Orch., Wycliffe shows more sides to a versatility first hinted at by the the sounds of his album "The Gospel Truth". This new work finds his trombone in a number of settings, from funk to Ellington & even an impressive solo display. Joining him is Ryan Kisor, Victor Goines & Herb Harris.

Pianist Kikoski returns to a piano trio setting for a collection of provocative, often unconventional, original compositions; features bassist John Patitucci & drummer Jeff "Twain" Watts.

Alto saxophonist's quintet w. Brian Lynch, Benny Green, Peter Washington, and Jeff "Tain" Watts, recorded December 24, 1987.

Surrounded by his colleagues from the notorious sextet collective One for All (Eric Alexander, Steve Davis, David Hazeltine & others), trumpeter/flugelhornist reaffirms his charter membership in the no-holds-barred society of improvisers.

On his eighth Criss Cross leader date, Wycliffe Gordon (awarded 2012 Trombonist of the Year by both the DownBeat Critics Poll and the Jazz Journalists' Asssociation) distills his exhaustive knowledge of the oeuvre of Duke Ellington and Billy Strayhorn on a wellcrafted, ten-piece program spanning a timeline from 1927 (Creole Love Call) to 1967 (The Intimacy of the Blues).

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.

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.

ANACAPA

Between 2004 and 2016, alto saxophonist David Binney made nine albumsfor Criss Cross as either leader or co - leader, presenting predominantly his distictive original music. The tenth Criss Cross album with Binney's imprimatur, A Glimpse Of The Eternal, is, Binney says, completely different than anything I've ever done - chilled out, an honest and pleasant vibe, nothing too complicated or intense. The album was recorded June 29, 2021 at the Samurai Hotel Recording Studio and mixed and mastered by Mike Marciano at the Systems Two Recording Studios.

Trombonist Conrad Herwig continues his spiritual journey here on his fourth Criss Cross release. Long reknown for his work with Slide Hampton's World of Trombones, the Mingus Big Band, Eddie Palmieri and, more recently, Joe Lovano & Tom Harrell, Herwig's trombone playing is bold, brash & unpredictable. Through musical conversations with the wonderful rhythm section of Bill Charlap, James Genus & Gene Jackson, Conrad's new album speaks equally well to his prowess as a leader & composer.

With.. It Was Beauty, pianist Orrin Evans presents his seventh Criss Cross leader date, returning to the label for the first time since 2005. The title tells the story: On a reflective, immensely satisfying ten-piece program comprising mainly originals, the 36-year-old Evans-joined by bass titan Eric Revis and master drummer Donald Edwards, both partners of long standing-plays with old soul focus, presenting a deeply personal vision that privileges notions of dynamic contrast, immediately identifiable tonal identity, meaty harmonies, tension and release, and three-way conversation.

Countless gigs have come and gone for musical buddies David Hazeltine and Eric Alexander since the first volume of Blues Quarters (CRC 1188) came out in 1998, making this second edition an even stronger statement, with bassist Peter Washington and drummer Joe Farnsworth completing the line-up. Among an already fine set of originals are outstanding updates to the classics "Going Out of My Head" and "Unforgettable" with a Latin groove adding some extra spice.

Wycliffe Gordon's fourth Criss Cross release features tenor saxophonist Seamus Blake and drummer Bill Stewart, who appeared also on the trombonist's critically acclaimed 2002 recording, "United Soul Experience" (CRC #1224), plus Hammond B3 organist Sam Yahel and guitarist Peter Bernstein. The mixture of familiar and new company fuels Gordon's prodigious talents as a composer, arranger, and soloist. Utilizing various combinations of instruments, he creates an eclectic yet coherent program out of funky jazz grooves, blues, and ballads.