This music was recorded in New York City on June 6, 1997.

I lived in Brooklyn from 1981 until 2001.  During that period of time Brooklyn was a bit of an oasis for younger jazz musicians.  Dave Douglas, Mark Feldman, Mike Formanak, Jeff Lederer, Mark Dresser, Herb Robertson, Todd Isler, Ralph Hamperian, Billy Hart, Jay Branford, Kip Reed, John Goldsby, Pheeroan AkLaff, Jeff Siegel, Tim Whalen, Lily White, Phil Haynes, Scott Napoli, Bruce Barth, Jeff Raheb and a multitude of other young musicians were living in close proximity to each other in Brooklyn.  Ron Vincent, the drummer on this recording, lived two blocks away from me as did Adam Kolker who performs here on saxophones and bass clarinet.  Dean Johnson was also a neighbor and together they formed a rather tight rhythm section with Ron on drums and Dean on bass.  There were sessions happening all the time.  My apartment had drums, a piano, amplifiers and was available for sessions any afternoon of the week.

So here it is.  Twenty-five years later.  I was truly blessed to record these compositions with some of the finest musicians in the world.  That was always the main reward for living in the “City”.  It was never about the money.  It was always about the music.