Gère Toi Criss

Chet Baker - Live at Nick's (1978) {Criss Cross Jazz, Criss 1027CD rel 1989}
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© 1978, 1989 Criss Cross Jazz | Criss 1027 CD
Jazz / Cool / West Coast Jazz / Trumpet

Recorded for Dutch radio, this is one of Chet Baker best live recordings. Live At Nick's is a very fine set, extermely well modulated, one of mere handful of albums from the last two decades of Chet's career that have to be considered essential.

At the peak of their popularity in 1978, Kiss decided to maximize their sales potential and exploit their loyal audience by having each member release a solo record on the same day. Instead of sending sales through the roof, it had the unexpected effect of stopping their momentum cold…

Sonny Criss - Intermission Riff (1951) {Pablo OJCCD-961-2 rel 1998}
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© 1951, 1998 Pablo / Fantasy | OJCCD-961-2
Jazz / Bop / Straight-ahead Jazz / Saxophone

Because of his extraordinary ability as a teenager, Sonny Criss was accepted into a circle of Los Angeles musicians that included Dexter Gordon, Teddy Edwards, Big Jay McNeely, Wardell Gray, and Charles Mingus. At 20, he was touring in Jazz At The Philharmonic with Howard McGhee and his idol, Charlie Parker. In a later J.A.T.P. tour, he teamed with Coleman Hawkins and Fats Navarro. In these 1951 J.A.T.P. recordings, not discovered until 1987, Criss made it plain that he deserved to be in fast company.

Brian Lynch Sextet - Peer Pressure (1986) {Criss Cross Jazz CRISS 1029 CD}
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© 1986 Criss Cross Jazz | CRISS 1029 CD
Jazz / Straight-Ahead Jazz / Trumpet

Lynch wrote three of the seven tracks, while Horace Silver, Benny Golson, Tommy Turrentine and Cole Porter penned one apiece. His trumpet sound definitely borrows from previous modern masters Freddie Hubbard, Lee Morgan & Bill Hardman, and the influence of Silver, Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers and those of the hard/post bop movement cannot be denied. The latin tinge is also prevalent on the Brazilian bossa inflected "Change Of Plan" and Silver's Afro-Cuban tinged classic "The Outlaw." These two selections serve Lynch well for future excursions away from strict mainstream jazz. A rock solid date from a promising musician whose star is on the rise.

Sonny Criss - Go Man! (1956) {Imperial–Toshiba-EMI Japan TOCJ-5978 rel 1995}
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© 1956, 1995 Imperial / Toshiba-EMI | TOCJ-5978
Jazz / Bop / Hard Bop / Saxophone

By the mid-'50s, William "Sonny" Criss was maturing as a significant voice on the alto saxophone. Heavily influenced by Charlie Parker, much of Criss' earlier output was plagued by a hurried time feel, awkward phrasing and an uncomfortably tense vibrato. Go Man!, one of three dates he did for the Imperial label, showcases a confident, energetic Criss on ten standard tunes and two original lines.

This double disc reissue on Blue Note contains the three releases that alto saxophonist Sonny Criss did for Imperial: Jazz U.S.A., Go Man!, and Plays Cole Porter. These sessions were all recorded in 1956 at a time when Criss had honed his amazing bebop alto precision. These 34 performances contain only five of his originals and are surrounded by mainly standards. The bands consisted of solid lineups with Sonny Clark or Kenny Drew on piano; Barney Kessel on guitar; Leroy Vinnegar, Buddy Clark or Bill Woodson on bass; Larry Bunker on vibes; and Larance Marable or Chuck Thompson taking care of drumming duties. While Criss had a career that erratically spanned the '70s, these Imperial sessions (reissued in glorious mono) contained highly regarded performances of passionate blues, moving ballads, and energetic up-tempo pieces.

Cedar Walton Quartet - Bluesville Time (1985) {Criss Cross Jazz, Criss 1017CD rel 1989}
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© 1985, 1989 Criss Cross Jazz | CRISS 1017 CD
Jazz / Hard Bop / Piano

A great group – with a young Dale Barlow on tenor, David Williams on bass, and Billy Higgins on drums. Features a hip take on "Naima", plus "Bluesville", "Ojos De Rojos", and "Rubberman". Cedar Walton is really good as usual but a possibly unsung saxophone player sets the standard for this recording. Dale Barlow gives a virtuoso performance which ranks with any of the modern sax men to inlude Lovano or Watts. There was some malaise in jazz in the 80s but this album was a firecracker in its day. I recommend it highly.

Luis Perdomo - Links (2013) {Criss Cross}
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© 2013 Criss Cross Jazz | Criss 1357 CD
Jazz / Post Bop / World Jazz / Piano

The highly sought after New York based pianist-composer continues 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 (Criss 1344 CD). Last but not least, Perdomo has been an integral part of the groundbreaking quartet led by saxophonist Miguel Zenón for the last 14 years.