Eric Alexander - Chicago To New York [CD]

2025 release from NY saxophonist Eric Alexander. Boasting a warm, finely burnished tone and a robust melodic and harmonic imagination, tenor saxophonist Eric Alexander has been exploring new musical worlds from the outset. His new album 'Chicago to New York' pays tribute to the intersection and interplay that still exists between Chicago and New York. Unlike Alexander's 2014 album, Chicago Fire that featured an all-NYC rhythm section, the stellar casting on this new album is split evenly with LeDonne and Alexander representing New York, and the always excellent bassist Dennis Carroll and drummer George Fludas representing Chicago, where this dynamic rhythm section continues to live and work. The record's theme cleverly explores the shared interconnection between two far-flung cities and benefits from a proximity that all four individuals share in terms of musical approach, supreme accomplishment on their instruments, and an adherence to a group aesthetic that prioritizes groove, swing, and the "give-and-take interplay" that is the hallmark of the best jazz. Coupled with thoughtful selection choices by John Coltrane, Matt Dennis, and Mongo Santamaria (among others), the recording's repertoire provides Alexander and company excellent improvisatory vehicles with which to skillfully traverse the nearly 800-miles that separate these two great American jazz cities... enjoy the drive!