This record is the follow-up to Jon's highly acclaimed 2007 album "Outright!", and features a new cast of characters and guests. However, it retains the wide arch of influences (as well as the group improvisation mindset) that the first record captured so well. This time around, the musical inspiration comes from influences as disparate as The Brecker Brothers, Mongo Santamaria, Dave Douglas, Charles Mingus, Duke Ellington, '50s R&B, Ornette Coleman, and John Coltrane (and Paul Desmond, at the same time!!!). All of these styles are wrapped up together in strong, focused group improvisation, featuring some of New York City's most exciting and traveled improvisors-- Ralph Alessi, Jacob Sacks, John Hebert and Tom Rainey, along with special guest appearances by Mike Pride, Eivind Opsvik, Glenn Alexander, Chris Cash, and the 30 person Outright! Jazz Orchestra. One of two flagship releases for his new Irabbagast Records label, this edition of Outright! demonstrates Jon's personal growth and progress in the 5 years since his initial release, years that saw him win the Thelonious Monk Saxophone Competition as well as the Downbeat Magazine Rising Star Alto Saxophone Award, as well as get nominated for Up-and-Coming Artist of the Year and Tenor Saxophonist of the Year by the Jazz Journalists Association. Jon also was named one of New York City's Jazz Icons by Time Out Magazine in 2011.