Like its predecessor, Painter of Dreams features two highly reworked standards along with six recent melody-forward compositions, to which Tsiganov applies his signature blend of radical reharmonization, mixed meters, shifting tempos, and changing keys. Otherwise, this ambitious recital presents documents several "firsts." For one thing, Tsiganov expands beyond the saxophone-trumpet-piano-bass-drums format, scoring five of the eight selections for either three or four horns. For another, he broadens his tonal palette beyond the almost entirely acoustic soundscape of his prior Criss Cross oeuvre, liberally weaving the Rhodes and Minimoog into the flow, as well as the preternaturally flexible voice of Hiske Oosterwijk, who also contributes two lyrics.

Also, for the first time as a leader, Tsiganov augments the luminous trumpeter-flugelhornist (and 13-time Criss Cross leader) Alex Sipiagin on the front line with alto sax titan Miguel Zenon, who plays for the entirety of the proceedings, and - on three pieces - the transcendent Chris Potter on tenor and soprano saxophones.

"The earlier records had different songs and moods, but the same sound - trumpet-saxophone-piano-bass-drums," Tsiganov says. "I wanted a totally different color." While working on the repertoire, he drew on information accrued in arranging courses with Michael Mossman at Queens College, where he earned a Masters in 2019. "That opened the gate of big band music for me," Tsiganov says. Soon after receiving his degree, Tsiganov informed Sipiagin (a dear friend and musical partner since each emigrated to the United States from Russia more than thirty years ago) that he'd recently completed his first big band arrangement - on a standard - as a student assignment.

"Alex told me he was recording a project of his music for the Romanian Radio Big Band and asked me to arrange a few songs," Tsiganov recalls. "I said I wasn't ready. Alex pushed me: 'I'm sure you can do it.' I did one arrangement. He really liked it and sent it to the band director, who also liked it. Then I did another one. They liked it again. I did a third one, and they liked that, too."

The Album was recorded January 6, 2024 at the Samurai Hotel Recording Studio, NYC. Recording engineer Mike Marciano. Sound engineer Mike Marciano also did the mixing and mastering at Systems Two in NYC. Photography by Anna Yatskevich.

Misha Tsiganov: piano

Chris Potter: saxophones (tracks 1-3)

Miguel Zenon: saxophone

Alex Sipiagin: trumpet

Johnathan Blake: drums

Matt Brewer: bass

Hiske Oosterwijk: vocals (tracks 2,4,6)