For those unaware, 20 years after they first went head to head on 2005’s THE BATTLE, saxophone heavy-hitters Eric Alexander and Vincent Herring square off once again for a long-anticipated rematch.

The ferocious swing and robust melodicism of SPLIT DECISION is the third in a trilogy of blistering summit meetings captured live on stage at Smoke Jazz Club.

While THE BATTLE evoked the antagonistic tradition of cutting contests and sax duels, Alexander and Herring’s second meeting, FRIENDLY FIRE, suggested that its heated exchanges were at least on amiable terms.

With SPLIT DECISION, the pair has reached a musical détente, two masters meeting on equal terms, with “victory” merely a question of personal taste rather than virtuosic one-upmanship.

1. Pharoah’s Dance
2. Strollin’
3. A Peck a Sec
4. My Romance
5. Soft Impressions
6. Mo’s Theme

Recorded Live on July 6th, 2024 at SMOKE Jazz Club, New York City the new recording opens on the joyfully fervent, yet tapered and elegantly sculpted Pharoah’s Dance and then we get brought forth a flourishing Strollin’ and the upright and emboldened A Peck a Sec, which is in turn backed seamlessly by the languishing beauty of My Romance, the set rounding out on the confidently sumptuous, veritably resplendent Soft Impressions, coming to an all too soon close on the rhythmically melodic sax trade off battle royale that bursts forth on Mo’s Theme.

SPLIT DECISION is a testament to the vitality and excitement of being there when these sax giants face off. The six-song setlist also puts the whole band’s estimable gifts in the best possible spotlight, stacked with memorable but not over-familiar tunes.

Anytime these two powerhouse saxophonists step on stage their competitive spirit – not to mention two decades of friendship and collaboration – result in scintillating music of championship caliber.

Official Purchase Link

www.ericalexanderjazz.com

www.vincentherring.com