"The splendid Exit 13 is co-led by Sylvia Cuenca, a powerhouse drummer who has worked with Clark Terry for over a decade, and Jersey City-based organist Kyle Koehler, a rising star on the Hammond. West Orange guitarist Dave Stryker -- who joined his partners on their 2003, self-titled CD on Etoile Records -- fleshes out the trio.

"One of Exit 13's strongest aspects is that it can dig as deeply into pure, driving jazz as it can into the shake-your-body party mood that an organ trio is known for. At Cecil's, where Stryker served as de facto leader, calling tunes and setting tempos, both aspects were explored, sometimes in the same tune.

"Take the opening "Miss C's Shuffle," a back-beat blues. Here Stryker, using his thumb on his strings to coax forth a honey-colored sound, mixed lines that had a down-home, bluesy flavor with those that flowed in a bebop manner. Koehler, whose sound can be rich and fat like the dynamic organist Jimmy Smith but more often favors the dry, dreamy tones concocted by Young, also shifted his stance, going from brief, punchy thoughts to waves of crying tones to ideas that bordered on abstraction. All the while, Cuenca made her beat fluid, changing the color of her sound with varying hits on cymbals and drums.

"Similarly approached was "Speak Low," where altoist Williams guested with lines that ranged from sweet to edgy. Stryker unleashed undulating thoughts that often had a blues swagger, and Koehler maintained a hard swing via seemingly hollered notes, and others that careened purposefully. Cuenca again supplied essential rhythmic heat.

"On "Our Miss Brooks," where Stryker issued statements that recalled Jimi Hendrix or Muddy Waters, and the bouncy "More Today Than Yesterday," the band's "let's party" groove was celebrated.   Zan Stewart, Newark Star Ledger

"Drummer Sylvia Cuenca might not be as publicly recognized as other sisters of the skins, such as Terri Lynne Carrington or Cindy Blackman, but she deserves to be. Equally creative behind a big band (like Frank Foster's Loud Minority) or in a small group context, she is probably best known for her extended association with Jazzmaster Clark Terry.

EXIT 13 finds her in a trio setting with organist Kyle Koehler and guitarist veteran Dave Stryker taking care of plenty of business timewise. Koehler is a new name to me, but one that won't be forgotten anytime soon as he is a nimble keyboardist with fresh ideas that shoulders all the basswork while skillfully meshing with Cuenca's traps.

He also has two compositions present, the title tune and "Big Ed," a fatback boogaloo with a bridge that bubbles and boils. The adroit Stryker serves up a pair also. "Happy" and the self-explanatory "Miss C's Shuffle." Add to those two standards from Henry Mancini and Rodgers and Hart along with seldom-played goodies from Duke Pearson, Billy Harper, and Larry Young to make up a diversified setlist. This is a real sleeper that could easily slip off the radar, but don't dare let it if you enjoy excellent organ trios."    Larry Hollis, Cadence Magazine

...."Another quintet that made a strong showing was led by the young drummer Sylvia Cuenca. Unlike some of the other groups, Cuenca's band didn't appear overly eager to display it's versatility. Instead it focused on a series of complementary tunes composed by Joe Henderson, Antonio Carlos Jobim and others. The arrangements, uniformly powered by Cuenca's crisp attack, were further enhanced by a stellar lineup that included trumpeter Eddie Henderson, saxophonist Seamus Blake, pianist Kevin Hays and bassist Ed Howard."    Mike Joyce, The Washington Post

"What really impressed me is that Sylvia is not bombastic. Her playing is very, very tasty. She has good time, good imagination. This tour was a real pleasure. Michael Brecker kind of put some fire under her and she came through with flying colors."    Kenny Barron

"The Crossing features Cuenca's vital, exciting straight-ahead drive with a sextet featuring trumpeter Eddie Henderson. Recently a member of Clark Terry's quintet, Cuenca has toured with numerous name jazzers. Take notice!!!"   Modern Drummer Magazine

"Sylvia Cuenca's resume runs from the Vienna Art Orchestra to Joe Henderson to Clark Terry 's drummer of choice. Her impressive drive coupled with finesse has brightened numerous bandstands, though due in part to jazz's stilted sexual politics her skills aren't as widely recognized as they deserve. To document her work as a bandleader she seized the moment herself and went the independent Internet sales route for "The Crossing". From the jump she is crisply swinging, riding the wave of John McNeils" crisp arrangement of Joe Henderson's "Granted" at the helm of a meaty sextet that boasts saxophonists Vincent Herring and Seamus Blake; and trumpeter Eddie Henderson, Messengers-style. Cuenca's pen asserts itself via her richly harmonic tribute "The Crossing," in memory of pianist Mercedes Rossy. Proving again that his music is a touchstone for the 30-something generation, Shorter is here courtesy of the enduring beauty of "Infant Eyes" and lesser-known "Oriental Folk Song." Ms. Cuenca is a major league percussionist."    Willard Jenkins, JazzTimes Magazine

"Sylvia Cuenca is affectionately referred to by those of us in our quintet as ‘Cuenc's. She is an extraordinarily talented percussionist, who doesn't like to be thought of as "a girl drummer." I think of her as an alert, supportive, versatile and swinging drummer. This is ‘Cuenc's first CD under her own name, and I'm happy about it. She has chosen some fantastic players, and the group is really swinging. I'll give it six stars!!! Save a space in your CD rack - you're going to want to keep this one. Go, go, go, ‘Cuenc's - keep on keepin' on!!!"    Clark Terry

"There are a lot of good reasons to buy this one. One is trumpeter Eddie Henderson, who just gets better with age. Another is pianist Gary Fisher, whose smart comping keeps the horn soloists on their toes. And there's the leader, who has a driving beat, a real team player who prods the rest of the band a la Mr. Blakey. As producer, she's also responsible for the smart choice of songs, including Joe Henderson's "Granted" and a pair of Wayne Shorter's compositions."    Stuart Kremsky, Cadence Magazine

"Sylvia Cuenca's CD has a New York based group, performing in a modern style. Best known for her work with saxophonist legend Joe Henderson, and currently a member of the Clark Terry Quintet, Ms. Cuenca steps out with a noteworthy debut recording that showcases her wonderful talents as a jazz drummer. Working with an exemplary sextet that is enhanced by auxiliary percussion on two tracks, this is New York jazz at its finest. The material comes from Henderson, Jobim, Corea, Shorter, George Cables, and Cuenca herself, with John McNeil arranging four out of the seven cuts. On the opening Granted, the group launches into a powerhouse arrangement with saxophonists Vince Herring(alto) and Seamus Blake(tenor) cutting loose on two hard driving solos. Trumpeter Eddie Henderson is more restrained, but no less imaginative. All three solo extraordinarily throughout the CD. Pianist Gary Fisher is a revelation, a sensitive but passionate player who swings with abandon. Bassist Essiet Essiet is, as always, a rock solid foundation on which the others build their improvisational construction. His time is flawless and his playing outstanding. Percussionist Gilad enhances Cable's "Think on Me" and Jobim's "Favela" beautifully and unobtrusively. Cuenca's playing is sublime. She swings impeccably, has an authentic feel for the latin genre, and is a subtly understated ensemble player. When she solos, she does so with imagination and taste. She can swing intensely, as she does on Granted, and she can be deeply subtle, as on her own tune, "The Crossing," an excellent tune in waltz time. Her playing on "Think On Me" sets up a compelling groove, and she wrings great musicality out of Shorter's "Oriental Folk Song." This is a tasteful debut from a very talented musician."    Alan Chase, Seacoast Newsletter