Eric Alexander, born in 1968, began by studying piano, then took up the clarinet at age nine. At age 12 he switched to alto saxophone, studying classical technique and repertoire initially. During a one-year stint at the University of Indiana, Bloomington, Alexander decided to become a jazz musician, switching to tenor when offered a gig with a group that needed a tenor player instead of an alto player. Eric decided he needed to get closer to New York City, so he enrolled at the William Paterson college in New Jersey and began studying jazz seriously. His mentors included tenor sax player Joe Lovano and pianist Harold Mabern. Mabern, who worked with Lionel Hampton and J.J. Johnson in the early 1960s as well as working with Roland Kirk. Sonny Rollins, Lee Morgan, and Freddie Hubbard, has remained influential in Alexander's development, and plays on his most recent recording, The Second Milestone. "From the day I met him, he was immediately the most influential musician in my life", says Alexander. "He always has ways of looking at the tunes that just seem to make everything better tha it would have been had he not come in with those ideas."

Following his college years, Alexander spent some time in Chicago, and played with several organ trios on the city's South Side. He made his recording debut in 1991 with jazz organist Charles Earland on the Muse recording Unforgettable. Like Chris Potter, Alexander remembers and pays tribute to those who came before and influenced him or helped him develop; The Second Milestone is dedicated "to the memory of Charles Earland." The same year he debuted with Earland, Alexander placed second behind Joshua Redman in the Thelonius Monk Interational Saxophone Competition. He returned to New York and continued to develop his playing, recording prolifically in the meantime. His first album as a leader, Straight Up, was recorded for Chicago's Delmark label. He recorded three more discs for Delmark, then four for Danish label Criss Cross, an four for the Japanese Alfa label. In addition, he recorded with a group that included bassist George Mraz, pianist John Hicks, and drummer Idris Muhammad. He also cut three CDs with the group One For All, which includes Jim Rotondi, Steve Davis, Joe Farnsworth, Peter Washington, and Dave Hazeltine. Rotondi, Washington, and Farnsworth also appear on The Second Milestone.

Second Milestone opens with a modal rendition of "Matchmaker, Matchmaker" that recalls John Coltrane's showtune workouts on "My Favorite Things" and "Chim Chim Cheree". While doing nothing that is derivative, Alexander makes you think of Trane as he plays solidly and with a newfound maturity. "Moment to Moment" was worked out after Alexander heard it on Freddie Hubbard's First Light album and fell in love with the arrangement. Harold Mabern contributes two beautiful compositions. "The Man From Hyde Park", a tribute to Herbie Hancock, which was pared down from a larger arrangement to its current format with just two horns. Alexander is unhurried and really plays with authority on his solo. There is no question that he has grown very quickly in a short period of time as a player, and on his current track he should be one of the tenor players jazz fans consider classic in a few years' time. Mabern's other composition is "John Neely Beautiful People", a tribute to the Chicago saxophonist. This hard-bop composition is probably the albums most frenetic piece, and it allows Alexander to blow off some steam and show that he has plenty of chops. Mabern also delivers with a solo that would put many Young Turk keyboardists to shame.

Mention must be made of the two Latin-inspired numbers, "Estate" and "Luna Naranja". "Estate" is a composition so languid, you feel that you are in a tropical climate, too hot to really move, but also too relaxed to care. The feel is reminiscent of Stan Getz in his bossa phase, but somehow calmer, even when Eric bursts into sixteenth-note runs, it still sounds like he isn't going to break a sweat. "Luna Naranja", which follows immediately, is a more traditional jazz workout with a Latin rhythm. Jim Rotondi takes a solo turn on trumpet that reminds one of Freddie Hubbard in technique and attack. He's followed by Alexander and Mabern, each offering a satisfying solo turn.

Listening to The Second Milestone, one really feels as though one is in the presence of a talent that is reaching its full fruition, but there's little doubt that Eric Alexander will provide us with more pleasant surprises next time out. In the meantime, he has recorded another album with One For All, embarked on a summer European tour with Pat Martino, Joey DeFrancesco, and Billy Hart. In addition, he is starting a teaching residency at the Stanford Jazz Workshop in California. "Taking things as they come, that's how you evolve. I just hope to continue moving forward, getting to play with as many great musicians as possible...that's cake for me."

Here's hoping that there's plenty more cake to come from Eric Alexander and Chris Potter. And, please, someone let Ken Burns know!