Wayne Escoffery

with special guest Nicholas Payton

Wayne Escoffery – tenor saxophone
Nicholas Payton – trumpet
David Kikoski – piano
Ugonna Okegwo – bass
Mark Whitfield Jr. – drums

Saxophonist Wayne Escoffery celebrates the release of his anticipated new album Like Minds (Smoke Sessions) by performing the music from with a superb quintet—special guest trumpeter Nicholas Payton, pianist David Kikoski, bassist Ugonna Okegwo, and drummer Mark Whitfield Jr. Escoffery, a prominent protégé of the great Jackie McLean, faithfully channels his former mentor’s powerful approach. All About Jazz says, “Not since the works of bassist Charles Mingus and saxophonist John Coltrane has there been music so charged with emotion and so engulfed in spirituality.” Stereogum adds, “the leader’s playing has thoughtfulness and muscle in equal measure.”

“Every time he plays, saxophonist Wayne Escoffery brings a sense memory that includes early days in the church choir in New Haven, Connecticut; the wisdom and watchful eye of the legendary Jackie McLean; time spent with The Mingus Big Band, Ron Carter and Tom Harrell.” – Gary Walker, WBGO.org