Alex Sipiagin - Quintet Steppin' Zone

This may be Alex Sipiagin's debut recording, but the Russian trumpet virtuoso is a fixture in New York's hardcore jazz community.

Familiar to Criss Cross listeners through sideman work with trombonist Conrad Herwig, his long-time partner in the Mingus orchestra, Sipiagin gathers here young tenor giant Chris Potter and A-list rhythm men David Kikoski (piano), Scott Colley (bass) and Jeff 'Tain' Watts (drums) for a session marked by on-the-edge improvising tempered by authoritative knowledge.