of Grusin and Rosen's artists staying on board, including David Benoit, Arturo Sandoval (who would depart in 1997), Lee Ritenour (who would depart in 1996 and return in 2002), The Rippingtons featuring Russ Freeman (who would depart the label in 2000), Gary Burton (who would depart in 1996), Spyro Gyra (who would depart in the late 1990s), Diane Schuur (who would leave after 1997) Tom Scott (who would depart late in the 1990s), Nelson Rangell (who would depart in 1997), Joe Sample (who stayed with the label until his passing), Larry Carlton (who would go onto record with his regular group, Fourplay, and would sign with Warner Bros. Records after 1996), and Ramsey Lewis (who would leave after 1997). Many original or recently signed artists departed, including Dave Valentin (who had recorded 15 albums for the label from the beginning until 1994), Chick Corea (who left for Concord Music during 1995 after his final release for GRP), Sergio Salvatore, Yellowjackets, B.B. King, Michael Brecker (whose contract was transferred back to Impulse! Records where he had originally signed during the 1980s), Teodross Avery (who Grusin and Rosen signed in 1993 had his contract transferred to Impulse!), Eddie Daniels (had already left in 1994), Patti Austin, Urban Knights (who would leave for Narada Jazz after 1997) and John Patitucci (who would leave for Concord Music in 1996) among the many artists who were not brought back when their contracts expired. With this turnover, LiPuma brought in some familiar faces and new artists that he felt would keep Grusin and Rosen's vision of the label alive while integrating his own musical ideals. These artists included Grammy Award winners George Benson, Al Jarreau, David Sanborn, Mindi Abair, Keiko Matsui, Marc Antoine, Rick Braun, Chris Botti, Rachel Z, Will Downing, and former New York Yankees outfielder Bernie Williams' debut album as a professional jazz guitarist. This established group of popular jazz artists were the perfect complements to those artists who survived the purge of the label. However, the biggest coup for GRP was signing Grammy Award-winning pianist and singer Diana Krall from Impulse!, which gave the label class and stability over the next decade or so. Her popularity had kept the label afloat for a long time (until she eventually signed with Verve in the mid-2000s), along with saxophonist Mindi Abair, who made her debut in 2003 and was an instant hit with smooth jazz