Manhattan Sessions Part 1

Barry Finnerty is back. One of the top guitarists on the New York jazz scene in the 1970s, '80s and '90s, his brilliant playing with the Crusaders, Miles Davis and the Brecker Brothers put him on the international map - Finnerty has just released his first live studio recordings in a decade: Manhattan Sessions Part 1, a far-ranging contemporary set full of pleasing melodies and dancing grooves, deft arrangements and vital solos. The disc capture a masterly musician in peak form, playing in the inspired company of trumpeter Randy Brecker, bassists Victor Bailey (electric) and Ron McClure (acoustic), pianist David Kikoski, drummers Graham Hawthorne and Victor Jones, and Chuggy Carter on percussion. A San Francisco prodigy known for the fire and fluidity of his deep-grooving guitar work, Finnerty returned to the Bay Area in the late 1990s to compose, perform, and teach. He wrote a lot of music -- his new CD showcase his artful songwriting, arranging and improvising - and also two volumes of his acclaimed "Serious Jazz" practice books, which were published by Sher Music. Fired up with a new sense of purpose, he recorded Manhattan Sessions, Part 1 in New York over a two-day period in 2008. The guitarist, who was featured on such classic records as The Crusaders' top-selling "Street Life" and the Brecker Brothers "Heavy Metal Be-Bop". has never played with more feeling, elan and invention.