HighNote welcomes Russell Malone, one of the most gifted guitar players to emerge in recent years, to its roster. Malone seems comfortable in a variety of settings, performing with such diverse artists as Diana Krall, Freddie Cole, Mulgrew Miller, Kenny Barron, Roy Hargrove, Cyrus Chestnut and Patti Austin. Malone was also a featured performer in Robert Altman's 1996 film "Kansas City." From his first recordings in 1992 to his HighNote debut Russell Malone has proven himself to be the consummate musician capable of both swinging hard and caressing a ballad like few guitarists today can.