If you’re reading these program notes for Misha Tsiganov’s third release on Criss Cross, you’re probably familiar with its two predecessors, on whichthe pianist displayed his mastery of the art of “dearth arranging,” as Benny Golson describes the art of generating maximal expression with minimal instrumentation. The first, The Artistry of the Standard (Criss 1367), featured nine bespoke Tsiganov arrangements of repertoire culled from the canons of hardcore jazz and the Great American Songbook, chock-a-block with interesting reharmonizations and counterpoint, changing keys, shifting tempos and mixed meters that complemented and illuminated new pathways into the songs.

The second, Spring Feelings (Criss 1384), featured four more reimagined standards and five of Tsiganov’s own compositions. To perform the 9 pieces on each recital, Tsiganov recruited a world-class quintet, including the magisterial trumpeter Alex Sipiagin, saxophone titan Seamus Blake, and New Orleans drum modernist Donald Edwards, all members of the collective unit Opus 5, in which Tsiganov has occasionally subbed for pianist David Kikoski. Opus 5 bassist Boris Kozlov performed on Artistry; Hans Glawischnig played bass on Spring Feelings.

• 1. Playing With the Wind
• 2. Mama
• 3. Witch Hunt
• 4. Orange Dream
• 5. Dream Catcher
• 6. Cry Me a River
• 7. Virgo
• 8. To Ne Veter Vetku Klonit
• 9. The Very Thought of You