Tenor saxophonist and composer Dayna Stephens is an adept post-bop musician whose music reflects the influence of players like Wayne Shorter, Joe Henderson, and Charlie Rouse. Following his emergence in the early 2000s, he has played with a bevy of heavy-hitting jazz artists, including Phil Ranelin, Ambrose Akinmusire, Kenny Barron, and others. He has released a number of highly engaging small-group albums, including 2013's That Nepenthetic Place, 2017's Gratitude with Brad Mehldau, and 2020's Right Now! Live at the Village Vanguard.