Looking Forward (2001)

"Alto saxophonist Miguel Zenón has made a name for himself as a member of David Sánchez's band. This fiery debut as a leader revolves around a quartet comprised of Luis Perdomo (p), Hans Glawischnig (b), and Antonio Sánchez (d). David Sánchez, guitarist Ben Monder, and trumpeter Diego Urcola each make cameos. While Zenón's music certainly owes much to Sánchez, his capacity for nuance and surprise sets him apart. Listen to some of his monster endings and you'll likely agree. His hard-edged, high-velocity alto suggests just a trace of Greg Osby; his compositions, like Sánchez's, blend indigenous Latin forms with highly advanced jazz harmonies, lines, and rhythms. In addition to the dense interplay of "El Bloque" and "El Cruze," and the blistering swing of "Yochabel," Zenón offers a Spanish chant/avant-garde freakout called "Anxiety," and gripping renditions of latin songs. Zenón comes across as focused, imaginative, and highly articulate, tempering chops with tremendous sensitivity." (D.A. Adler, Allmusic)