Dmitri Kolesnik - Blues For Dad (2001)

Over twenty or more years ago New York bassist Dmitri Kolesnik invited tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander, trumpeter Alex Sipiagin, pianist Andrei Kondakov and drummer Lenny White to record his music. The musicians clicked instantly, and were so comfortable playing Kolesnik's compositions that all the tracks used on the CD were first takes, alive with freshness and feeling. The recording, ‘Blues For Dad’, was released on a leading Russian label, Boheme Music, in 2001 and received good responses in Russia and the US. Since the release of that album, the group has been performing regularly in New York. The outstanding personnel on 'Blues For Dad', especially noted Alex Sipiagin, are among most sought-after players in New York. At the heart of the group, Lenny White brings his unique energy and style to the music. Kolesnik's friend and collaborator Andrei Kondakov is a famous Russian musician who often appears on the New York jazz scene. ~ Extract from challengerecords.com. 

Boheme Music, CDBMR 103207, 2001
Recorded 31st May, 2000 at Knoop Studios, River Edge, New Jersey 

Musicians:
Dmitri Kolesnik - Bass
Alex Sipiagin - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Eric Alexander - Tenor Saxophone
Andrei Kondakov - Piano
Lenny White - Drums 

Tracks:
1. Blues For Dad {Dmitri Kolesnik} (6:16)
2. Home {Dmitri Kolesnik} (9:11)
3. Waltz For B. E. {Dmitri Kolesnik} (7:45)
4. New York Wind {Andrei Kondakov} (11:37)
5. White Nights, Gray Days {Dmitri Kolesnik} (7:33)
6. Giving Rise To Doubt {Dmitri Kolesnik} (7:28) 

Total Time: 49:50 

Credits:
Producer - Dmitri Kolesnik, Andrei Kondakov
Sound Engineer - Tom Swift [Manfred Knoop's Studio]
Mixing Engineer - Jill McManus
Mastering Engineer - Iain Fraser
Liner Notes - Ron Carter 

Blues For Dad

David Sanborn - Closer (2004)

Saxophonist and composer David Sanborn has always been a maverick. A top-notch technician, he has always imbued his playing with deep emotion -- indeed, that emotional element in his playing has been his signature since he began leading his own bands on record in the 1970s. He has wed modern jazz sophistication to the smooth jazz groove for many years now, and has followed his muse while remaining a commercially viable artist. Closer is another exercise in ambition for Sanborn and his sidemen. They include bassist Christian McBride, guitarist Russell Malone, Larry Goldings on electric piano and organ, vibist Mike Manieri, and drummer Steve Gadd, among others. The material is a fine collection of pop tunes, standards, and surprises from the jazz canon. First, the bad news: Sanborn and vocalist Liz Wright team up for a version of James Taylor's "Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight" that is as bland as soy milk. That said, Sanborn's read of Abdullah Ibrahim's "Capetown Fringe" carries within it the joy and dignity of Ibrahim's original and proves to the public something Sanborn has been aware of all along -- that the composer's music is truly accessible to the masses. Underscore this for the album's opener, a smoking little groove read of Gil Fuller and Chano Pozo's "Tin Tin Deo." Horace Silver's "Enchantment" and "Señor" are given fine finger-popping treatments, as are the stellar standards "Ballad of the Sad Young Men," "You Must Believe in Spring," and the beautiful "Poinciana." There is a lovely version of Charlie Chaplin's "Smile" here, given chamber orchestra treatment. Sanborn contributes a pair as well, in the silvery ballad "Another Time, Another Place" and the album's closer, the haunting "Sofia," with a fine string and horn treatment by Gil Goldstein. Once more, Sanborn has wed his commercial and creative aspirations into a thoroughly engaging whole. ~ by Thom Jurek, AMG. 

Verve Records, 0602498631973, 2005
Recorded at Hiatus Studios, New York, NY;
Right Track Studios, New York, NY 

Musicians:
David Sanborn - Alto Saxophone, Rhythm Arranger
Alex Sipiagin - Trumpet, Flugelhorn (#1,2,5-7,11)
Mike Davis - Trombone (#1,2,5-7,11)
Bob Sheppard - Flute D'Amour, C Flute (#1,2,5-7,11), Tenor & Soprano Sax (#8)
Sheryl Henze - Alto Flute, Bass Flute (#1,2,5-7,11)
Gil Goldstein - Electric Piano, , Accordion (#8), Rhythm Arranger, Orchestration
Larry Goldings - Electric Piano, Organ
Mike Mainieri - Vibraphone
Russell Malone - Guitar
Christian McBride - Bass
Steve Gadd - Drums
Luis Quintero - Percussion
Lizz Wright - Vocals (#3)
+
Strings [#1,2,4,5,11]
Belinda Whitney, Joyce Hammann - Violin
Ron Lawrence - Viola
Dave Edgar - Cello 

Tracks:
01. Tin Tin Deo {Gil Fuller, Chano Pozo} (6:19)
02. Señor Blues {Horace Silver} (5:09)
03. Don't Let Me Be Lonely Tonight {James Taylor} (6:08)
04. Smile {Charlie Chaplin, Geoffrey Parsons, John Turner} (3:52)
05. Enchantment {Horace Silver} (4:28)
06. Ballad Of The Sad Young Men {Fran Landesman, Tommy Wolf} (4:01)
07. Another Time, Another Place {David Sanborn} (6:05)
08. Capetown Fringe {Abdullah Ibrahim} (3:25)
09. Poinciana {Buddy Bernier, Nat Simon} (6:03)
10. You Must Believe In Spring {Bergman, Demy, Legrand} (3:50)
11. Sofia {David Sanborn} (3:45) 

Total Time: 53:11 

Credits:
Producer - Stewart Levine
Audio Engineer, Engineer, Mixing - Joe Ferla
Engineer - Jonathan Duckett
Assistant Engineer - Bryan Pugh, Jason Spears, Jason Finkel
Digital Editing, Pro-Tools - Dean Sharenow
Mastering - Bernie Grundman
Coordinator - Heather Buchanan, Stephanie Pappas
Design - Isabelle Wong
Art Direction - Hollis King
Photography - Henry Leutwyler 

Enchantment

Jim Snidero - MD66 (2016)

From the title MD66 it highlights the aesthetic lines of this project by Jim Snidero, which intends to pay homage to the second Davisian quintet of the 1960s. The original compositions feature short melodic cells as they fly for a solid rhythmic texture, crossed by an excellent interplay. It is not a record that redefines the future of jazz, but transmits its most genuine meaning thanks to a sincere communication and highly enjoyable musical textures. Starting from the first track, high school solos are imposed with great assertive strength in terms of technique and executive imagination. The leader's non-derivative style does the rest, giving the listener a convincing and far-reaching work. The executive intelligence has allowed the quintet to project tradition into a rich creative bed, where the various rivers of jazz contemporaneity coexist. The result is a particularly successful record, which far from rigid virtuosity of manner, stands out for its structural balance and stylistic coherence. ~ by Maurizo Zerbo, AAJ. [Translated from Italian] 

Savant Records, SCD 2156, 2016
Recorded 22nd April, 2016 at Acoustic Recording Studios, Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
Jim Snidero - Alto Saxophone
Alex Sipiagin - Trumpet
Andy LaVerne - Piano
Ugonna Okegwo - Bass
Rudy Royston - Drums 

Tracks:
1. MD66 {Jim Snidero} (7:15)
2. Recursion {Jim Snidero} (9:38)
3. Free Beauty {Jim Snidero} (5:47)
4. Unified {Jim Snidero} (6:08)
5. Who We’ve Known {Jim Snidero} (6:27)
6. Un4Scene {Andy Laverne} (6:40)
7. Blue In Green {Miles Davis} (4:33)
8. Purge {Jim Snidero} (6:02) 

Total Time: 52:32

Credits:
Producer - Jim Snidero
Executive Producer - Joe Fields
Recording Engineer - Michael Brorby
Mixing & Mastering - Dave Darlington [Bass Hit, New York]
Photography [Booklet] - Earl & Sedor Photography
Photography [Front] - Christopher Drukker
Photography [Back] - Michael Brorby
Graphic Design - Christopher Drukker
Liner Notes - Dan Bilawsky 

“Miles is a muse more inspirational than technical”. ~ Jim Snidero.

Manuel Valera And New Cuban Express - In Motion (2014)

What’s new in the idiom of jazz? The next generation of Cuban musicians have arrived. Look no further than what they have brought with them. They have infused the Blues and Jazz with Blues and Jazz of their own. Their music is tempestuous, beguiling and always exciting. Like making that left turn unexpectedly to find something so inviting that the listener is stopped in his or her tracks. This new album by Manuel Valera and the New Cuban Express In Motion is the third release since Mr. Valera formed the band. The new cast of characters includes the terrific bassist, Hans Glawischnig and awesome trumpeter Alex Sipiagin. This incarnation makes them somewhat stronger than they have ever been, their sound has become rounder and fuller with the addition of a trumpet and the more voluptuous acoustic bass. Manuel Valera has taken musical meter and stretched it as far as it possibly can. His writing plays on the innermost ear like a very fast game of hopscotch, swinging, skittering and chasing the stone. Of all of the Cuban pianists playing today Mr. Valera’s pianism is most strongly aligned to classic melodicism. The rhythmic element of his left hand exists in the dance-like structure that holds up the melody like an edifice that is suddenly built before the wonderstruck listener. His statements are elaborate as he expands on the geometry of the melody making wondrous structures in a high-wire act that is breathtaking to behold. Here, on In Motion his music unfolds best in the collaborative effort that he has forged with this ensemble. His ability to arrive in the limelight and withdraw from it is generous. This is evident in most of the music here, but is especially gracious on "Descargando," the profoundly beautiful "Bantu" and the epic "Storyteller," which are just three of the defining tracks on this exquisite album. ~ Extract by Raul Da Gama, LatinJazzNet.com. 

Criss Cross Jazz, Criss 1372 CD, 2014
Recorded 29th January, 2014 at Systems Two Recording Studios, Brooklyn, New York 

Musicians:
Manuel Valera - Piano, Fender Rhodes
Alex Sipiagin - Trumpet, Flugelhorn
Yosvany Terry - Alto & Soprano Saxophones, Chekeré
Tom Guarna - Guitar
Hans Glawischnig - Bass
Ludwig Alfonso - Drums
Mauricio Herrera - Percussion 

Tracks:
1. Descargando {Manuel Valera} (6:24)
2. Preamble {Manuel Valera} (8:55)
3. Bantu {Manuel Valera} (6:48)
4. No Puedo Ser Felix {José Arturo Méndez} (5:42)
5. Storyteller {Manuel Valera} (8:45)
6. Mirrors {Manuel Valera} (7:19)
7. Para Emiliano {Manuel Valera} (6:23)
8. NYC {Manuel Valera} (6:37)
9. Factors {Manuel Valera} (6:22) 

Total Time: 63:23

Credits:
Producer - Gerry Teekens
Recording & Mixing Engineer - Michael Marciano
Mastering - Max Ross
Photography - Jimmy Katz
Design - Gerry Teekens/Bloemendaal In Vorm

Alex Sipiagin - Live At Smalls (2013)

Wonderful Live Date

Alex Sipiagin was recently voted a "rising star" in the Down Beat Critic's poll, and this terrific recording will only boost his growing reputation. It's a blistering live date with Seamus Blake on tenor sax, David Kikoski on piano, Boris Kozlov on bass, and Nate Smith on drums. Sipiagin has recorded about 15 albums as a leader and another 25 or so as a sideman, many of which are with members of this band, and this is one of my favorites. The band is tight and the energy is high throughout the set. In terms of style, Sipiagin sounds a bit like the late great trumpeter Woody Shaw -- very fluent post-bop that is rich with ideas. Unfortunately, the recording is on the pricey side, but the quality of the music is terrific. Recommended. ~ by Kerron, Amazon.com.

SmallsLIVE Records, SL0033, 2013

Recorded 25^th-26^th June, 2012 At Smalls Jazz Club, Greenwich Village, NYC

Musicians:

Alex Sipiagin - Trumpet

Seamus Blake - Tenor Saxophone

David Kikoski - Piano

Boris Kozlov - Bass

Nate Smith - Drums

Tracks:

1. Live Score {Alex Sipiagin} (13:53)

2. Videlles {Alex Sipiagin} (15:01)

3. Calming {Alex Sipiagin} (10:49)

4. Pass {Alex Sipiagin} (19:34)

5. Returning {Alex Sipiagin} (13:50)

Total Time: 73:07

Credits:

Producer, Executive Producer - Spike Wilner

Producer, Mixing Engineer - Ben Rubin

Recording Engineer - Tyler McDiarmid

Mastering Engineer - Gene Paul (G&J Audio)

Photography, Design - Michelle Watt

Notes:

Where possible applause has been trimmed or edited out.

Mixed at The House of Cha Cha

Mastered At G&J Audio

Blistering Trumpet Skills, Deeply Interactive Band

A fantastically energized live album showcasing both Sipiagin's burning skills as a trumpet player but also the deep synergistic interactions between the band and all soloists. Nate Smith's highly interactive approach on drums is particularly captivating. 5 stars. THIS is a prime example of what modern jazz sounds like. ~ by Brownmanon, Amazon.com.

Alex Sipiagin - Images (1998)

This CD finds Alex Sipiagin in his first recorded role as leader. He is in great company with many other fine musicians that include Chris Potter, David Binney, Adam Rogers and Jeff Hirshfield to name a few of the outstanding crew on this TCB release. Essentially, he has come a long way since this earlier date clearly shown by his now broadening and extensive discography. It is an interesting collection of tunes which include two of his own and one from his Russian origins. The album starts off with a tried and test piece by Milton Nascimento followed by one penned by David Binney and wraps up with a contemporary composition by Pat Metheny. Overall his tone is sweet and clearly showcases his ability to handle a broad range of styles. Of course, he would go on to express further virtuosity across his 10 Criss Cross Jazz albums. Personally, for me this album rates well against his latter day works. Enjoy!

TCB Records, 98602, 1998

Recorded & Mixed in May, 1996 At Interlude Studio, New York

Musicians:

Alex Sipiagin - Trumpet, Flute

Joshua Roseman - Trombone

David Binney - Alto Saxophone

Chris Potter - Tenor Saxophone

Gil Goldstein - Piano, Accordion

Adam Rogers - Guitar

Scott Colley - Bass

Jeff Hirshfield - Drums

Kenny Wollesen - Percussion

Tracks:

1. Tarde {Milton Nascimento} (8:04)

2. Freaker {David Binney} (7:44)

3. Little Dancer {Alex Sipiagin} (11:58)

4. Song - 1 {Alex Sipiagin} (3:26)

5. Novgorod Bells {Russian Folksong, Arr. Alex Sipiagin} (12:34)

6. Midwestern Night Dream {Pat Metheny} (7:16)

Credits:

Producer, Arranger - Alex Sipiagin

Executive-Producer - Peter Schmidlin

Recording & Mixing Engineer - Keith Senior

Mastering Engineer - Antoine Ogay, Grens (Premastering)

Graphic Artwork - Gigi Schmid-Huetiger

Photography [Cover] - Valeria Iozas

Photography [Inside] - Anatoly Artomonov

Liner Notes - Mike Zwerin

Total Time: 51:02