(Post-Bop, Contemporary Jazz) [CD] Olegario Diaz (with Alex Sipiagin, Seamus Blake, Scott Colley, Jeff Tain Watts) - Basquiat By Night/Day - 2014, FLAC (tracks), lossless

Pianist/composer Oregario Diàz, graduate of The Manhattan School of Music, divides his time in his homeland Venezuela and New York performing with different groups he leads. On 'Basquiat By Night/Day' his all-star quintet includes the exceptional talents of trumpeter Alex Sipiagin, saxophonist Seamus Blake and drummer Jeff "Tain" Watts.
The title song dedicated to the New York-born Haitian artist Jean-Michel Basquiat reflects Diaz' deep appreciation of various art forms. For this his third album, Diaz put together a highly cohesive ensemble to paint an attractive collage of joyful music, with seven of the tracks composed by Diàz alongside covers of songs by Irving Berlin and Victor Young.
Ole Nimand of Jazz Special (Denmark) commented on Diaz' previous release 'The Skyline Session' (SCCD31753), "The two tunes from Diaz' own pen confirm again his compositional talent and his melodies and expressive solos steal the scene...This is a brilliant and stylish presentation of the kind of jazz that is otherwise no longer on the throne these days."

Olegario Diaz - piano
Alex Sipiagin - trumpet
Seamus Blake - tenor saxophone
Scott Colley - bass
Jeff Tain Watts - drums