Since finishing second to Joshua Redman in the Thelonious Monk Institute's tenor sax competition, Eric Alexander has built an impressive discography as a leader, while also drawing a lot of attention in both the U.S. and Japan. This Venus release, recorded in 2005 and one of the last sessions by pianist John Hicks, primarily focuses on standards, with the exception of Hicks' tense hard bop vehicle 'Avotcja.' A loping treatment of 'Sunday in New York' is a solid opener, conveying the image of a brisk walk in Central Park on a cool autumn day.

On the Wings of an Eagle is an album by pianist John Hicks, recorded in 2006. The album was recorded by the working trio led by Hicks, with bassist Buster Williams, and drummer Louis Hayes. The Penguin Guide to Jazz commented that "Hicks died eight weeks after the recording, which lends it a certain poignancy, but even without that association it would be a cracking set".

Like many other prominent jazz musicians, master pianist John Hicks started his early career with Art Blakey's Jazz Messengers (1964-1965). This special album for Venus Records was recorded in 1992 as a tribute to his former boss who had passed away two years earlier. Aided by his well-known collaborators Marcus Maclaurene on bass and Victor Lewis on drums, Hicks here perform some of the familiar Jazz Messengers' repertories with a lot of emotion and extra earthiness.

Cry Me a River is an album led by pianist John Hicks. John Hicks is joined by fellow musicians Dwayne Burno on bass and Victor Lewis on drums for a compilation of jazz standards titled Cry Me A River. Tunes include "Witchcraft", "Alone Together", "Moon And Sand", "Cry Me A River" and more.

As James Carter's career has progressed he's always attempted something new, never just producing an album without building on the previous one. On this album of Billy Holiday tracks he not only places himself within the confines of what could seen as an album of covers,(relatively well known tunes as well) but also chooses to add strings to the mix, as well as three tracks with vocalist Miche Braden. That it works so well and so effectively is a tribute to both Carter and his arrangers Greg Cohen and Cassius Richmond.