Edward Simon celebrates his illustrious three-decade career in music with this expansive two-disc collection.

Throughout his 30 years of making music, the Venezuela-born pianist and composer has led or co-led award-winning ensembles and collaborated with some of today’s most prominent jazz artists, including vocalists Luciana Souza and Gretchen Parlato; Afinidad, the long-running virtuoso quartet featuring David Binney, Scott Colley, and Brian Blade; the acclaimed chamber ensemble Imani Winds; and the all-star SFJAZZ Collective. To observe this milestone, Ridgeway Records release a compilation album comprising Simon’s personal selections from his distinguished discography from 1995 to the present.

Titled 25 Years, the limited-edition 2CD set includes compelling selections from his acclaimed and influential early recordings, including the 1995 New York Times Top 10 album Edward Simon (recorded with Mark Turner, Adam Cruz and Larry Grenadier), and the cutting-edge, Latin-infused, La Bikina, from 1998.

Of more recent vintage are Venezuelan Suite, on which Simon blends the tuneful, buoyant sounds of his native country with the harmonically sophisticated vocabulary and forward-looking attitude of jazz, and the NAACP Image Awards-winning trio date Latin American Songbook.

Also represented is Simon’s collaborative work with saxophonist David Binney on the albums Afinidad and Océanos; his all-star trio work with bass icon John Patitucci and drummers Brian Blade or Eric Harland; and Simon’s most recent collaborative project, Steel House, in which the pianist joins bassist Scott Colley to blend acoustic jazz improvisation with electronic-tinged atmospherics for an inviting, song-oriented, sound. In short, 25 Years is a unique way to experience and enjoy Simon’s music -  a must-have for his fans and the perfect introduction for those not yet familiar with his elegant playing and unique compositional sensibility.

TRACKS

Disc 1: Ericka
Alma Llanera (Pt. 2)
Govinda
Fiestas
Simplicity
Pathless
Path
Pere
Impossible Question

Disc 2:
What If
Aguantando
Caballo Viejo
Barinas
Uninvited Thoughts
Navigator
Gracias A La Vida
Venezuela Unida
Triumphs