Alexa Tarantino, Dariusz Terefenko - Crossing Paths (2014)

Alexa Tarantino, a gifted, 22-year-old alto saxophonist who grew up in West Hartford, has plenty to celebrate as she performs in a duo concert with the Polish-born piano virtuoso Dariusz Terefenko. The emerging saxophonist has a new CD out with Terefenko called Crossing Paths. Crossing Paths demonstrates Tarantino’s impressive ability as a fluent, resourceful soloist, and as an empathetic collaborator in tune with Terefenko, a professor of jazz studies and theory at Eastman. He's as learned in the works of Frederic Chopin as he is with those of Keith Jarrett, and is an explorer of creative, interactive links between the two seemingly disparate worlds of classical composition and jazz improvisation. At this early point in her career, Tarantino's new CD marks the culmination of her deep devotion to the alto saxophone, which began in elementary school. Tarantino said. "You can get so many colors from the instrument, and it’s so versatile. You can play fast. You can play ballads. You can fit yourself in anywhere with that saxophone." While absorbing everything she could about her chosen craft, Tarantino developed her own personal pantheon of alto saxophone heroes. "Phil Woods was my big number one idol when I started in high school after I heard his American Songbook album with his quintet," she said. "Now with the duo project with Dariusz, we're exploring a lot of Lee Konitz and Lennie Tristano music. I’m trying to cover the whole spectrum." 

Infinite Records, 2014 

Musicians:
Alexa Tarantino - Alto Saxophone
Dariusz Terefenko - Piano 

Tracks:
01. Crossing Paths {Alexa Tarantino} (5:55)
02. Kary's Trance {Lee Konitz} (7:54)
03. On A Misty Night {Tadd Dameron} (6:59)
04. Line Up {Lennie Tristano} (4:58)
05. In The Wee Small Hours Of The Morning {Bob Hilliard, David Mann} (8:03)
06. It's You And Me {Alexa Tarantino, Dariusz Terefenko} (5:25)
07. Dolphin Dance {Herbie Hancock} (8:33)
08. Final Breaths {Alexa Tarantino} (7:38)
09. Opus 2 No. 2 {Alban Berg; Arr. Alexa Tarantino, Dariusz Terefenko} (6:08)
10. Angel's Lament {Alban Berg; Arr. Alexa Tarantino, Dariusz Terefenko} (6:01)
11. A Beautiful Friendship {Stanley Styne, Donald Kahn} (4:58) 

Total Time: 01:12:32 

Co-Producer, Co-Arranger - Alexa Tarantino, Dariusz Terefenko

A saxophone/piano duo presenting fresh takes on jazz standards and re-inventions of classical works, along with original music and improvisation.