For his Stateside debut as a leader, Edsel Gomez could have introduced his wonderful keyboard facility, deft touch and advanced sense of harmony to American jazz fans in a more conventional piano trio setting. Instead, he aimed much higher. With Cubist Music, an auspicious debut that showcases his expansive musical vision, the native of Puerto Rico and resident of New York City puts theory into action with wholly satisfying results. Accompanied by a world-class crew consisting of clarinetist Don Byron, tenor saxophonists David Sanchez and Greg Tardy, alto saxophonists Miguel Zenon and Steve Wilson, bassist Drew Gress and drummer Bruce Cox -- all bandleaders and composers in their own right as well as being among the most important players and improvisers of their generation -- Gomez fully explores his concept for which this album is named. "The basic principle of Cubist music is very simple and can change the way a musician improvises insta...