A Bay Area native now residing in Brooklyn NY, Dayna Stephens – the No. 2 “Rising Star, Tenor Saxophone” in the 2017 Down Beat Critics Poll – continues to amass critical plaudits for his playing, compositions and arrangements. Stephens admits he’s always searching to find what’s “singable,” and the result of that search often challenges traditional concepts of harmony, sending beautiful and unintentional melodies in unlikely directions. Dayna has toured and recorded with a distinctive cross–section of players: pianists Brad Mehldau, Fred Hersch, and Kenny Barron; saxophonists Wayne Shorter and Chris Potter; singers Gretchen Parlato and Sachal Vasandani; and guitarists John Scofield, Julian Lage, and Carlos Santana. Dayna Stephens’ album Gratitude, issued on his own Contagious Music imprint, featured performances by Brad Mehldau, Julian Lage, Larry Grenadier, and Eric Harland. Dayna Stephens – tenor saxophone Gilad Hekselman – guitar Samora Pinderhughes – piano Orlando LeFleming – bass Eric Harland – drums