Dayna Stephens - Reminiscent (2015)

For his third Criss Cross release, following 'Today is Tomorrow' and 'I'll Take My Chances' tenor saxophonist Dayna Stephens presents a fresh take on the "saxophone battle" genre, in partnership with rising star Walter Smith III, himself the leader of the critically acclaimed 'III'.

Complemented by a state-of-the-art rhythm section of A-list 30-somethings (Aaron Parks, piano; Mike Moreno, guitar; Harish Raghavan; and Rodney Green, drums) the protagonists juxtapose their distinctive instrumental voices and apply their melody-centric sensibilities to a varied program comprising original music, as well as the iconic two-tenor standard Blues Up And Down and Bill Evans' "Blue in Green".

Less a cutting contest than a forum for collective story-telling, 'Reminiscent' is a tour de force that will repay repeated listenings.

Tracklist:

01. Seems Like Yesterday
02. Isn't That So?
03. Blue in Green
04. Uncle Jr.
05. A New Beginning
06. New Day
07. Contrafact
08. Our World
09. Walt's Waltz
10. Blues up and Down

Personnel:

Dayna Stephens (tenor, soprano and baritone saxophone),
Walter Smith III (tenor saxophone),
Aaron Parks (piano),
Mike Moreno (guitar),
Harish Raghavan (bass),
Rodney Green (drums).