John Swana - Philly: New York Junction - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

One of the supreme trumpeters of the current generation, Swana has developed his voice over the course of a string of previous Criss Cross releases. On this, his 7th Criss Cross album, he is once again varied & brimming with creative energy, creating something special & a bit different this time around. He's backed by tenor saxophonist Bootsie Barnes, pianist Sid Simmons & bassist Mike Boone.

For his ninth Criss Cross session as a leader, trumpet sensation John Swana makes the scene again with several of his peers from the city of Brotherly Love for a follow-up to 2001's InchPhilly GumboInch (CRC #1203). Featuring the twin tenors of Bootsie Barnes and Larry McKenna, this CD offers a bristling set of hardbop delights, the kind of fare you might hear in Philly when dropping in at Ortlieb's Jazzzhaus to catch Swana for a set or two. The rhythm section has Sid Simmons on piano, Mike Boone on bass, and drummer Byron Landham.

For his tenth Criss Cross date as a leader, trumpeter John Swana presents his first twin-tenor sextet. Swana, tenor saxophonists Eric Alexander and Grant Stewart, pianist David Hazeltine, bassist Peter Washington and drummer Kenny Washington have intersected on many occasions, but never together in a group. Bright Moments focuses largely on original material with a couple of standards thrown in for good measure; but the writing is so captivating, the performances so attention-grabbing, that it feels like an album of well-known songs. The ever-inventive Swana creates here challenging contexts for his sextet, with an emphasis on hard-swinging and refined balladry.