Saxophonist Miles Berry makes his recording debut as leader on the fine release Lost for You. Impressively, the up-and-coming New Orleans musician steps out on an album filled with material from his own pen. Five of the six cuts are his compositions.

Wisely, on this ambitiously-conceived project, Berry brings in top-notch artists to creatively fulfill his musical destinations. They include Nicholas Payton on acoustic piano (no trumpet here), guitarist Mike Clement, bassist Peter Harris and drummer Gerald Watkins Jr.

Berry’s soulful tenor opens on “You Weren’t Careful” with the full band in on the number that starts swinging upon arrival. It’s straight-up jazz that moves along in a user-friendly rhythm. In an often-typical jazz combo fashion, Berry’s leading horn is followed by strong solos by Clement and Payton.

It seems Berry enjoys the element of surprise. On the title cut, he blows soft and gentle while later he unexpectedly takes it “out” for a while until Watkins’ drums get more fully involved. Unfortunately, the repeated phrase at the end goes on a bit too long sounding as if the phonograph needle got stuck in the groove.

The melancholy “Rain Falls,” performed in a guitar-less quartet feels so relaxing that it’s time to put one’s feet up or put the car in cruise control. Here, and throughout the album, Peter Harris is the workhorse in the best sense of the phrase. His bass provides solid ground while always adding an inventive flair.

A curiosity was for the repertoire to go very far back in time for the inclusion of “Just a Gigolo,” made famous by New Orleans trumpeter and vocalist Louis Prima. It’s a sweet version performed as a duet by Berry and Clement. It turns out that Berry was giving his “props” to Prima as in 2012 he was honored to receive the ASCAP Foundation Louis Prima Award.

Discovering Miles Berry’s talents as a saxophonist and composer on Lost for You promises much anticipated opportunities for future excavations.