Jazz Articles about Dayna Stephens
About Dayna Stephens
Instrument: Saxophone
Article Coverage | Calendar | Albums | Photos | Similar ArtistsDayna Stephens: Right Now! Live At The Village Vanguard
by John Chacona
In his 2018 book, Playing Changes, Nate Chinen argues that the fundamental jazz dialectic of the 1980s and 90s, namely tradition vs. innovation, was ultimately a false choice. Two years later, Dayna Stephens' Right Now! Live at the Village Vanguard proves the point in the most eloquent way possible. In many ways, Right Now! is a traditional undertaking, from the classic horn-and-rhythm-section formation to the set list heavy with tunes taken at a mid-stroll tempo. And nothing cements ...
read moreDayna Stephens: Gratitude
by Geno Thackara
Dayna Stephens is happy to be here. It's not just in the obvious “Hello Clevelaaaand!" sense you'd get from any visiting performer saying hello to a crowd (not that that's a bad thing), but a heartfelt conviction. After a battle with a rare kidney disease and a life-saving donation from his aunt, the New Jersey saxophonist is acutely aware of how great it is to still be present and able to make beautiful music. His picturesque eighth album is meant ...
read moreDayna Stephens: I'll Take My Chances
by Andrew Luhn
For his second Criss Cross release I'll Take My Chances, saxophonist Dayna Stephens has put together an impressive recital showing off his skill for composition, arranging, and improvisation. The ten tunes presented here are a nice mix of Stephens's originals, an Ellington classic, and original tunes from contemporary pianists Brad Mehldau and Aaron Parks. The tunes all prove to be fantastic vehicles for Stephens to showcase his warm, soulful sound, and the prowess of the group he has put together ...
read moreDayna Stephens: The Timeless Now
by Jim Santella
"But Beautiful , the final track from saxophonist Dayna Stephens' debut album, summarizes his session. This modern mainstream performance centers on his warm tenor saxophone conversations, and includes seven originals as well as two standards. Pianist Taylor Eigsti, bassist Ben Street and drummer Eric Harland are seamlessly cohesive throughout and, with guests guitarist John Scofield on three tracks and trombonist Nick Vagenas on one, the disc has variety as well as creativity. When the leader or one of his partners ...
read moreTake Five With Dayna
by AAJ Staff
Meet dayna: Dayna Stephens was born in Brooklyn, New York August 1st, 1978, and was raised in the San Francisco Bay Area. He began playing the saxophone at age thirteen. He attended the prestigious Berkeley High School and took part in their jazz ensemble. Dayna was then accepted to Berklee School of Music in Boston, MA on a full scholarship. There, he studied with Hal Crook, Billy Pierce, George Garzone and Andy McGee among others. While in Boston, Dayna also ...
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