Peter Bernstein really makes things kick here – thanks to a hip quartet that features Richard Wyands on piano, John Webber on bass, and Jimmy Cobb on drums! With a rhythm section like that, the session better cook – and it does so nicely, in the open freedom of the Smalls Live setting – with some long tracks that are awash in extended, exploratory solos from Bernstein – really showing off his skills on the guitar in a way you don't always get on some of his solo sessions, often with a nice raspy edge that reminds us of Kenny Burrell at his best from years back. Titles include the originals "Vida Blue" and "Sideburns" – plus "Say Little Mama Say", "Love Walked In", and "Stairway To The Stars".

Keyboardist Will Boulware and company strike again with another dose of to-die-for contemporary jazz. His first Eighty-Eight's label effort, "Over Crystal Green", won Swing Journal's Golden Disk award and helped to launch a label that has now received extensive acclaim from jazz and audiophile press. Boulware pulls out some heavy artillery on "Harmony", including a very special appearance by Phoebe Snow, who sings on three tracks. Will & Rainbow is rounded out by Peter Bernstein on guitar, Michael Brecker on tenor saxophone, Philippe Saisse on synthesizers, Steve Gadd on drums, and Anthony Jackson on bass.

Why New York? "To record an album in New York with his heroes was also a lifelong dream for me. It felt so good the first time that I wanted to repeat it." Bernhard Wiesinger had been to New York several times before, but he never lived there for a long time. "The energy is simply different, even as far as such a production is concerned," he can only confirm. That's exactly what he excellently captured with "Enlightened". A brilliant decision.

Mike LeDonne has appeared on over 100 CDs as a sideman with so many jazz giants it is hard to keep count: Art Farmer, Clifford Jordan, Dizzy Gillespie, Stanley Turrentine, Milt Jackson, Christian McBride and others. LeDonne made his first recording as a leader on the B-3 for Savant in 2003 and has since added seven additional records to his discography on the label. To his regular band, The Groover Quartet (Eric Alexander, Peter Bernstein and Joe Farnsworth) Mike has added guests Jeremy Pelt on trumpet and the venerable bassist, Bob Cranshaw. With such an illustrious line-up there are few jazz combos that burn hotter, swing harder or generate more excitement than this all-star aggregation.

Peter Bernstein and his guitar join together with Brad Mehldau on piano, Larry Genadier on bass and Bill Stewart on drums to complile a 10-track SACD that features Bernstein originals "Venus Blues" and "Just A Thought" as well as jazz staples from Phillip Springer, Harry Warren and many more.

The long-awaited fourth release from Naama Gerber, a jazz vocalist born in Beersheba, southern Israel, and currently based in New York. This album features a quartet of Peter Bernstein (g) and Glenn Zaleski (p), providing great support. Naama showcases a lovely and sophisticated vocal style that firmly follows the tradition of white female vocalists. This is a classic vocal work in which great standards are delicately interpreted with an elegant voice and clear phrasing.

Lee Konitz's Chesky Records debut, now available in this Multi-Channel SACD format, demonstrates in full surround sound that Konitz continues to maintain his role as a true icon and legend of innovation within the Jazz community. Lee proves once again his unique improvisational ability by infusing his alto sax lines into the solid framework constructed by his quintet. This recording marks the manifestation of Lee's desire to represent the "possibilities to be creative" in the organic, improvisational nature of Jazz by combining it with the parallel basis of Chesky's recording philosophy - recreating a live, spontaneous event with the greatest accuracy possible, now dramatically improved via the SACD format.