A native of the Kansas City Area, award-winning composer and saxophone artist, Chris Burnett began his prolific professional start at the age of 18 years old while performing, touring and recording with Army bands from 1974-1996. His 22-year career with noteworthy professional military music organizations provided vast legitimate educational... [+] Read More

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No relation to the other Bill Evans, this saxophonist has an adventurous spirit and strong improvising skills despite his utilization of a rapper on some records. Evans started on piano before switching to tenor. He moved to New York in 1978 and was with Miles Davis during most of 1981-1984. He also played with John McLaughlin's short-lived,... [+] Read More

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Dave Liebman has developed through time to become one of the top soprano saxophonists in jazz. A highly individual and explorative (yet versatile) improviser who can stretch from bop to free, Liebman studied early on with Lennie Tristano and Charles Lloyd. He gained important experience playing with Ten Wheel Drive (1970), Elvin Jones... [+] Read More

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George Coleman's highest visibility occurred when he was a member of the Miles Davis Quintet (1963-1964), playing alongside Davis, Herbie Hancock, Ron Carter, and Tony Williams. His decision to leave the group after several notable recordings cut short his potential fame (his eventual replacement was Wayne Shorter), but Coleman has created a... [+] Read More

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One of the Blue Note label's definitive hard bop artists, tenor saxophonist Hank Mobley remains somewhat underappreciated for his straightforward, swinging style. Any characterization of Mobley invariably begins with critic Leonard Feather's assertion that he was the "middleweight champion of the tenor saxophone," meaning that his tone wasn't as... [+] Read More

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Once accurately billed as "the world's fastest saxophonist," Johnny Griffin (an influence tone-wise on Rahsaan Roland Kirk) has been one of the top bop-oriented tenors since the mid-'50s. He gained early experience playing with the bands of Lionel Hampton (1945-47) and Joe Morris (1947-50), and also jammed regularly with Thelonious Monk and Bud... [+] Read More

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"Based in Los Angeles, Larry Martus boldly goes solo for his debut recording, even more boldly featuring an all-original playlist. Martus has been playing guitar since age 11 after first experimenting with trumpet and other instruments. Initially studying classical guitar, he was drawn to the music of Pat Metheny, John Scofield, John McLaughlin... [+] Read More

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It is to McCoy Tyner's great credit that his career after John Coltrane has been far from anti-climatic. Along with Bill Evans, Tyner has been the most influential pianist in jazz of the past 50 years, with his chord voicings being adopted and utilized by virtually every younger pianist. A powerful virtuoso and a true original (compare his... [+] Read More

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A remarkable technician and a highly influential tenor saxophonist (the biggest influence on other tenors since Wayne Shorter), Michael Brecker took a long time before getting around to recording his first solo album. He spent much of his career as a top-notch studio player who often appeared backing pop singers, leading some jazz listeners to... [+] Read More

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Throughout a professional career lasting 50 years, Miles Davis played the trumpet in a lyrical, introspective, and melodic style, often employing a stemless Harmon mute to make his sound more personal and intimate. But if his approach to his instrument was constant, his approach to jazz was dazzlingly protean. To examine his career is to examine... [+] Read More

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Whether called Meditative Jazz, World Jazz, or World Fusion, Neon Egypt's offering is decidedly unique. Expressive, free-flowing saxophone melodies float gracefully over Taiko-like melodic drum lines, featuring the one-of-a-kind Shendai Ceremonial Drums.



All of Neon Egypt's selections are "first takes" of... [+] Read More

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Although he started out playing in fusion-oriented settings, Steve Grossman developed into an excellent hard bop tenor in the tradition of Sonny Rollins (although he developed his own sound). Grossman originally started on alto when he was eight, added soprano at 15, and tenor at 16. He started at the top as Wayne Shorter's replacement with... [+] Read More

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