Award-winning jazz bassist Barry Stephenson returns to the spotlight with The Iconoclast, his followup to 2015’s Basic Truths. What does it mean to be an “iconoclast” in 2020? Rather than smash idols, Stephenson instead strives to break down boundaries with his music, creating an “accessible freedom” that invites the listener to reconsider preconceived notions of what a contemporary jazz album “should” be.

“[O]ne of the most sought-after bassists on the scene today. His powerful sound, swinging concept and soulful approach to music come through in every note he plays, and I’m certain that he will continue to be one of the most important voices on his instrument for many years to come.”

—Mark Whitfield

“It’s like if Duke Ellington met Ornette Coleman. The melodies throughout the album complement each other in a way that creates a powerful thread of integrity and continuity between them.”
—Jason Moran