Full of inspired, fiery conviction, saxophonist Stephen Martin channels the Kansas City jazz ecosystem that nurtured his professional and musical development on High Plains, his second album as a leader. Teaming with the virtuosic vibraphonist/pianist Peter Schlamb, bassist Ben Leifer and drummer David Hawkins, Martin tears through the Coltrane-inspired original, "The Void," and Frank Foster's "Simone," while Joe Henderson's "Punjab" lopes and swings conversationally. The classic "Easy Living" delivers a ballad's restraint while seeming ready to unfold and burst at any moment. With two of his mentors close at hand - saxophonists Bobby Watson & Matt Otto as featured soloists, with Otto also producing the session - the atmosphere is loose, rollicking and familial, reflecting the shared sense of dialect, rhythm and purpose.

"Stephen Martin may be fond of a specific jazz segment from the past, but he knows how to frame it in the right way and immediately gives it a contemporary twist. He does that completely in the vein of Mark Turner and Chris Potter. A powerful and especially promising debut full of auditory fireworks." Georges Tonla Briquet, Jazz'halo, Belgium

Artists: Stephen Martin - Saxophone Matt Otto - Tenor Saxophone Bobby Watson - Alto Saxophone