Chris Byars - Jasmine Flower

Saxophonist/composer/arranger Chris Byars leads group in various formats including a quintet, as on this album, which is supplemented by two guest instrumentalists - his father James Byars on English horn and his fianc�e Mine Sadrazam on piano.

Chris could be dubbed a Jazz Ambassador conducting cultural exchange programmes in the Middle East, Central Asia and the Balkans for the U.S. Department of State since 2007. While his previous three albums were highly creative tributaries to jazz's true heroes: Freddie Redd, Lucky Thompson and Gigi Gryce, this album is a superb collection of Chris's original compositions many of which are depicting diverse cultures of the world.

Special praise is due to Byars, not only for heading up this fine, swinging outfit but also for his considerable skills as a soloist...Byars has learned the thing they can't teach in the schools; he sounds like himself and not like everybody else. - Coda Magazine

Personnel: Chris Byars (alto saxophone), Stefano Doglioni (bass clarinet), John Mosca (trombone), Ari Roland (bass), Phil Stewart (drums), James Byars (English horn), Mine Sadrazam (piano - track 5)