Edito de All The Things You Are(St. Louis, MO.) Capturing the attention of audiences and the respect of fellow jazz musicians wherever he performs, internationally recognized jazz guitarist, educator and clinician Corey Christiansen takes the next step in his ever-growing career with the release of "Awakening" on Mel Bay Records new jazz label, Guitar Sessions.

When Mel Bay Records decided to launch Guitar Sessions, they knew they needed an album and an artist who would set the stage for what is yet to come. Speaking of Christiansen's new release, William Bay, president of Mel Bay Publications, Inc. said, "The goal for Awakening was to produce an album which conveyed the intensity, the beauty and the virtuosity of Corey's burning jazz guitar.."

Christiansen took the opportunity to record "Awakening" with long-time friends and notable musicians Danny Gottlieb on drums, Per Danielsson on piano, and Mark Neuenschwander on bass. Christiansen explores all avenues on "Awakening" from playing Coltrane changes over the bridge of jazz standard "All the Things You Are" to his original modal composition "Little Hands, Big Dreams," written for and dedicated to his two-year-old son. After reviewing "Awakening," jazz guitarist Joe Diorio raved, "One of the best jazz guitar records I've heard in a long time. Beautiful playing, beautiful writing, beautiful sound."