Gifts and Givers

Seldom heard since the days of Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis and Johnny Griffin, saxophonist Jimmy Greene joins forces with Marcus Strickland for a two tenor line on his fourth set as a leader for Criss Cross. Easily his best album to date, Gifts and Givers crackles with excitement on a program of originals and iconic standards such as Sonny Stitt's Eternal Triangle, John Coltrane's 26-2 and Kenny Dorham's Blue Bossa, taken here in 7/4. Supported by veterans Reuben Rogers and Eric Harland, the horn men are also joined by two-up-and-coming talents, guitarist Mike Moreno and pianist Danny Grissett.