Vladimir Kostadinovic Sextet - Iris - Criss Cross

Vienna- based drummer, composer and arranger Vladimir Kostadinovic is one of the European jazz scene’s most sought after drummers, garnering  international acclaim for his dynamic style and exceptional musicality. Known for his versatile approach and profound sense of rhythm, Kostadinovic has captivated audiences worldwide, solidifying his reputation as a standout figure in the contemporary jazz scene. “Iris”, his third album as band-leader, is characterized by a deep emotional connection with the music being performed. The front-line players – Chris Potter, Ben Wendel, Alex Sipiagin – are undoubtedly world-class, and throughout this incredible recording they prove just why they are so highly regarded. And the notable rapport between Geoffrey Keezer and Joe Locke is exceptional. The whole band connect in magnificent style. But it’s the band-leader’s truly wonderful compositions that allow them to play with such emotive power and freedom here.

by Kim Giles

Alex Sipiagin – Reverberations - Criss Cross

On his 14th Criss Cross leader album, titled Reverberations, Alex Sipiagin booked a six-concert tour in November by a sextet of long-time friends and bandmates from several years of activity that constitute his thriving career. After a few days off, they convened at a well-appointed studio in Bassano del Grappa, the grappa capital of Italy, a 10-minute drive from Sandrigo, the village in the north Italian region of Vicenza, where Sipiagin resides with his wife. “My improvisations and compositions have more space, more air, more stopping to process what I feel,” Sipiagin, now 58, said, “Living here, you can breathe, create and practice.” On Reverberations you can feel that attitude suffusing the contributions of Will Vinson and John Escreet, both U.K.-born, the formidable Berlin-based Russian expat bassist Makar Novikov, and Donald Edwards, a son of Baton Rouge and New Orleans, Louisiana. “There’s nothing super-complicated except a few melody heads,” Sipiagin says. “We took our time and relaxed, played it in the same order as the concerts, and it came out quite spontaneously.”

by Kim Giles