David Berkman - Old Friends and New Friends (2015)

The title of Old and New Friends, the latest release from award-winning pianist/composer David Berkman, refers specifically to the exceptional sextet that he assembled for the recording. The band joins two members of Berkman s recently-formed quartet saxophonist Dayna Stephens and bassist Linda Oh with three renowned musicians who can definitely be considered old friends: drummer Brian Blade, who appeared on three of Berkman s albums in the late 90s and early 2000s; and saxophonists Adam Kolker and Billy Drewes, both of whom Berkman has known for more than 30 years.