Criss Cross Jazz new releases February 2013

Here are the new Criss Cross Jazz releases for February 2013, which
will be available around February 19. All details can be found on
the website:

         https://www.crisscrossjazz.com/

CRISS 1353 CD    WYCLIFFE GORDON QUINTET- THE INTIMATE ELLINGTON:
                                          BALLADS AND BLUES -

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).

Throughout the proceedings, which explore a broad array of flavors,
Gordon -- spurred by a killer rhythm section of pianist Aaron Diehl,
bassist Yasushi Nakamura, and drummer Alvin Atkinson -- plays with
characteristic effervescence and tonal creativity, matched by Adrian
Cunningham on saxophones and woodwinds and, on several selections,
the soulful violin virtuoso Zach Brock and vocalist Dee Daniels.

https://www.crisscrossjazz.com/album/1353.html


CRISS 1354 CD   ALEX SIPIAGIN QUARTET - OVERLOOKING MOMENTS -

A very prolific member of the Criss Cross family, trumpeter Alex Sipiagin
has logged in nine releases as a leader for the label over the span of 12
years. He is also a vital member of the all-star collective Opus Five,
that group's most recent effort being the critically acclaimed Pentasonic
(Criss 1351).

For his tenth session at the helm, Sipiagin has delivered his most
freewheeling recital to date. An integral member of the trumpeter's
inner circle since his 2000 debut, Steppin' Zone (Criss 1202), the
always exciting Chris Potter fills out the front line on saxophones.

And for the first time, Sipiagin has opted for an ensemble sans piano
or guitar. With frequent collaborators Scott Colley on bass and Eric
Harland on drums, the results over eight original compositions are as
fresh and contemporary as they come.

https://www.crisscrossjazz.com/album/1354.html


CRISS 1355 CD   TIM WARFIELD QUINTET - EYE OF THE BEHOLDER -

On Eye Of The Beholder, his seventh leader recording for Criss Cross
(and 12th label appearance overall), tenor and soprano saxophonist
Tim Warfield draws on musical relationships that have shaped his artistry
from the very start.

Pianist Cyrus Chestnut and drummer Clarence Penn, both of whom appeared
on Warfield's 1994 debut and several other sessions, bring their powerful
and sensitive presence to this new quintet date.

Rodney Whitaker provides an unshakable yet flexible foundation on bass.
Trumpet great Nicholas Payton, who featured Warfield  in his own incendiary
quintet of the mid to late '90, comes on board and contributes brilliant
playing as well as original music.

Highlights include the exploratory Blues For Mr. Bill, the sumptuous ballad
Ramona's Heart, and inspired reworkings of Payton's The Backwards Step,
Marlon Jordan's The Undaunted and the standard I Remember You.

https://www.crisscrossjazz.com/album/1355.html


CRISS 1356 CD   MICHAEL RODRIGUEZ QUINTET - REVERENCE -

For his Criss Cross debut, 33-year-old trumpet virtuoso Michael Rodriguez
assembles a world-class New York quintet of generational peers (pianist
Gerald Clayton and drummer Rodney Green) and mid-career masters (tenor
saxophonist Chris Cheek and bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa) to perform six
kinetic originals and a single standard, Portrait Of Jennie.

Known for his creative melodic approach and pellucid tone via consequential
engagements over the last decade with, among others, Charlie Haden's
Liberation Music Orchestra, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Bobby Watson, and Eddie
Palmieri, Rodriguez blends youthful fire with a veteran's focus and mature
intention, setting the tone for an immensely satisfying session.

https://www.crisscrossjazz.com/album/1356.html