Dmitry Baevsky - Introducing Dmitry Baevsky (2004)

Over two years after advance copies teased the jazz press about the capabilities of teenaged alto saxophonist Dmitry Baevsky's surprising chops, the Lineage label finally came into being in early 2006, with Baevsky's debut as one of their inaugural releases. Well accompanied by veterans like pianist Cedar Walton and drummer Jimmy Cobb, along with bassist John Webber and guitarist Ilya Lushtak, the young Russian is still forming his own style, though he has obviously done his musical homework and was prepared for the recording session, which is sometimes a problem with young musicians prematurely given the opportunity to record as leaders. The set list covers a lot of ground, mixing standards and jazz compositions (both favorites and forgotten gems). He shows a bit of Phil Woods' influence in "Love Is a Many Splendored Thing," while he easily negotiates the tricky changes of Charlie Parker's "Klactoveedsedstene" and displays a bit of playfulness. The young man also measures up in ballad settings such as the lush "Autumn Nocturne" and Kenny Dorham's down-and-dirty blues "Buffalo." While it is impossible to render a verdict on a newcomer based on his first CD, Dmitry Baevsky obviously has studied his craft and has a lot of potential to offer; this initial session likely provided him some terrific seasoning by getting the opportunity to work with Walton and Cobb.