Russell Kranes, Alex Levine, Sam Weber, Jay Sawyer

Since meeting through the New York City jazz scene a decade ago, pianist Russell Kranes, bassist Sam Weber, guitarist Alex Levine, and drummer Jay Sawyer have performed together for thousands of hours across a multitude of musical contexts. In doing so, they have developed deep chemistry and a collective musical identity, all of which is the centerpiece of their debut recording, <em>Anchor Points,<em> released on OA2 records October 20, 2023. The album contains two iterations of the band: a quartet, and a stripped down trio with piano, guitar, and bass - a nod to the classic instrumentation utilized by the likes of Oscar Peterson and Nat King Cole, as well as the instrumentation in which Russell, Alex, and Sam initially played together. The project is both an homage to the band's mentors, which include Geri Allen, Rodney Jones, Miles Okazaki, Henry Grimes, Fred Hersch, Billy Hart, and many others, and a celebration of years of musical camaraderie and connection.

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