Daniel Ian Smith is a saxophonist who has performed in Asia, Europe and North America. He has performed and/or recorded with the likes of Claudio Roditi, Nick Brignola, George Russell, Maria Schneider, Kazumi Watanabe, Arturo Sandoval, Marty Ehrlich, Fred Ho, the Aardvark Jazz Orchestra, the Joe Mulholland Sextet, the Big and Phat Jazz Orchestra, Mike Abene, and many others. His new ensemble project and recording A Collective Directive, features Boston's most in demand rhythm section players in Luther Gray (Joe Morris, Jenny Toomey), Keala Kaumeheiwa (Patrice Williamson Quartet), Take Toriyama (Hal Crook, Brad Hatfield),in addition to composer and trumpet phenom Doug Olsen. The performances are loose and swinging, emphasizing each members personality and verve. Everybody hits a home run on this one. From the Blakeyesque opening cut A Critical Mass, to the classically conceived Tableaux for Quartet, to the free trio Dialogue 514, the group sounds assured and holds its own and provides a variety of compositions to hold the listeners interest. The record demands front to back listening as it tells its story to the listener. Check this one out!!!