CTA Records signs saxophonist Dayna Stephens; Debut album scheduled for Spring 2007

CTA Records has signed saxophonist, bassist and composer Dayna Stephens, adding another young talent to their Jazz rosters. Stephens will be entering the studio this fall to record his debut album featuring John Scofield, Rale Micic, Taylor Eigsti, Ben Street and Eric Harland.

Dayna Stephens, 28, has been described as “One of the most exciting young tenor sax players." A fluid, vigorous soloist with a warm, soulful sound, Stephens showed serious talent early on, winning many awards and scholarships with various music programs. After graduating Berklee College of Music in Boston on a full scholarship, he was selected by judges Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Terence Blanchard for the prestigious Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz at USC. While there he studied and played with, among others, Shorter, Hancock, Dave Holland, John Scofield and Mark Turner.

Since graduating from the Monk Institute in 2003, Dayna Stephens has appeared on stage with numerous established musicians and rising stars including Carlos Santana, Kenny Barron, Terence Blanchard, Oliver Lake, Roy Hargrove, Stefon Harris, Tom Harrell, Taylor Eigsti, Rale Micic and Peter Apfelbaum.