The Press —

“Stephens emerges as an artist full of composure and imagination”
— Dr. Herb Wong, Downbeat Magazine

“A Must See — Within the expanse of the jazz landscape, a limited handful of stunning newcomers emerge as exciting harbingers of the growing edge of jazz.” “a bounty of warm sounds and emotional glow to the listening experience. Everything flows with unusual fluency and makes you feel rewarded. The aesthetic catalyst is tenor saxophonist Dayna Stephens, an intensely organic player ” — New York Times

“A Saxophone Star Ready to Go Nova”
— Jerry Karp,
DownBeat Magazine, San Francisco Chronicle, SFweekly, JazzWest.com

“Just when the brilliant young jazz musician seems to come into focus, he reveals another facet of his already improbably expansive musical gift.”
– Andrew Gilbert, San Jose Mercury

Friends and Musicians —

“Since I was 16, I’ve known Dayna to be one of the most thoughtful, caring individuals I’ve ever met. I am always entranced with his beautiful sound and invigorating spirit. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that if anyone he knew were going through what he’s going through, he’d be the first one to offer what he could to help.” — Justin Balch

“He’s a total genius!” — Tom Harrell

“Dayna is one of the people who will move music to a new place. He drives the band as he drives himself. He puts us all to a different level.” — Taylor Eigsti

“He’s a beautiful person, and musically he’s just magic” — Gretchen Parlato

If you know Dayna or his music: » Send us your words about Dayna to add to this page.