Tim Ries Quintet - Universal Spirits - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

For his fourth Criss Cross outing as a leader, trumpeter Jim Rotondi has chosen the two-horns-plus rhythm , presenting a program of compositions by Cedar Walton, Joe Henderson, Jimmy Rowles, Walter Davis Jr., Carole King & others, including one of his own works. Joining Jim are some of the finest players of the New York jazz scene - fellow Criss Cross artists Mike DiRubbo, Anthony Wonsey, John Webber & Willie Jones III.

Still on the shy side of 30, Ulysses Owens Jr.. has garnered an international reputation as drummer of choice for Christian McBride, Nicholas Payton, and Kurt Elling, three very different personalities who are very particular in what they want to hear from the kit. On his Criss Cross leader debut, Owens Jr.. convenes McBride and Payton, as well as pianist Christian Sands (even more visible for his work in McBride's year-old-trio), rising star alto saxophonist Jaleel Shaw (Roy Haynes' main sax voice for the last five years), and trombonist Mike Dease. The leader finds fresh approaches to various flavors of the swing timeline - Art Blakey and the refraction's of Buhaina established by Mulgrew Miller and Bobby Watson (each a one-time employer); Tony Williams' two phases with the Miles Davis Quintet; Ed Thigpen's crispness with the Oscar Peterson Trio - within a 21st century context.

New York-based trumpeter plays w. fire & authenticity; his tunes on this debut represent the essence of modern mainstream jazz, feat. Eric Alexander, Larry Goldings, Dwayne Burno, Billy Drummond. (Previously deleted 4/1/12. Original date 3/18/97)