Andy LaVerne, a veteran of over five decades in performing, composing and educating often teaches master classes at the famed Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop. At this workshop in 2019 Andy LaVerne met and performed with Zak Brock for the first time. The Grammy Award Winning violinist Zak Brock left huge impression on the pianist. Andy invited Zak to record together three months later. The collaboration between LaVerne the master of reharmonization and contrafacts and Zak the star member of the crossover group Snarky Puppy turned out to be a true Rhapsody with an intriguing program. “The album is filled with stimulating originals, most of which seem to be newly written for the session…. Shangri-La is another valuable addition to Andy LaVerne’s discography.” (Ken Dryden – NYCJR on Shangri-La SCCD 31872)

Veteran pianist/composer/educator Andy LaVerne has been a stalwart of SteepleChase Label for almost four decades. His latest album here is the sequel to “Live At The Kitano” with his unique piano/organ trio named One Of A Kind, which aptly describes its out-of-the-ordinary nature of the ensemble. C. Andrew Hovan of AAJ commented on the first SteepleChase release of the group Intelligent Design (SCCD 31618), “Really one of the most welcomed surprises of the season, Intelligent Design lives up to its name as one of LaVerne's best efforts thus far and one of the finest jazz releases of the year.”

SteepleChase opens a new century with one of its favourite genre, piano trio, with the label’s long time contributor Andy LaVerne. This LaVerne’s 20th entry on the label features recent originals by the pianist including title tune “Know More”.

One of the earlier entries of Andy LaVerne’s discography on this label was a highly acclaimed duo recording with vibraphonist Dave Samuels “Fountainhead” (SCCD 31261). Nine years later the two artists got together again in the studio with an addition of bass by Jay Anderson this time. The unique trio format of piano, vibes and bass offers a refreshing trip to a less travelled universe.

Andy LaVerne’s unique ensemble of piano/organ/drums wraps up the two-night engagement at New York’s prominent jazz lounge at the Kitano Hotel with this last volume of intriguing original compositions by LaVerne and a handful of appealing standard titles. “In hindsight, it's surprising that the piano and organ format has been so rarely utilized in jazz because it makes so much sense. The B3 is able to provide a bass line and a unique textural counterpoint that can complement as well as step forward ... it's Andy's superb originals that supply the fodder for this most rewarding collection…” (Andrew Hovan – AAJ on “Intelligent Design” SCCD 31618

On this his latest solo recording the composer / performer Andy LaVerne states, “This CD, as a personal statement, is one of the most important I have made since I began recording for SteepleChase 30 years ago. It demonstrates and documents how my writing has evolved over the years.”

Trombone-piano duo may sound unlikely but if it concerns with the two masters of the respective instruments here, the result is a total delight. “… It isn’t the instruments that determine the outcome of this intimate collaboration, but the musicians, their skills, interplay, sensitivity and consummate artistry which are the decisive factors.” (Mark Gardner)

To quote Danish critic Niels Overgaard, Andy LaVerne is “one of jazz’s analytical workmen”. The enormous body of his work as pianist, composer and educator over the five decades does not stop LaVerne from being creative to add new dimension to his artistry as evidenced in this new album. “… pianist Andy LaVerne possesses talent that should be commensurate with a much broader public awareness. (C. Andrew Hovan – AAJ) “LaVerne's writing chops are as impressive as his playing.” (Harvey Siders – Jazztimes on Pianissimo SCCD31512)

The instrumentation of piano/organ/drums may be highly unusual but with Andy LaVerne and Gary Versace on the keyboards the format is a sure winner as their earlier collaboration in “All Ways” (SCCD 31569) – “(LaVerne and Versace) sound absolutely natural and complementing together….two equally appealing keyboard voices…” (Thomas Conrad – JazzTimes)

Andy LaVerne continues to explore the path he set out with his previous critically acclaimed release “Genesis” (SCCD 31818), this time with an added voice in trumpet/flugelhorn by Alex Sipiagin as well as Mike Richmond’s overdubbed cello over his bass-line. As in the previous album all titles are new originals by LaVerne, who, to quote Neil Tesser, Grammy Award winning American journalist, is a committed melodist, with truly individualistic tone. “… Intelligent Design lives up to its name as one of LaVerne's best efforts thus far and one of the finest jazz releases of the year.” (C. Andrew Hovan – AAJ on SCCD 31618 Intelligent Design)

“Frozen Music” was recorded in New York City 32 years ago and like most of Andy LaVerne’s releases this album has not lost its original energy and charm. Tenor and soprano saxophonist Rick Margitza was then a young rising star under contract with Blue Note. Andy was already a prolific composer who penned all the tunes of this album. Bassist Marc Johnson who was a member of Bill Evans’s last trio gave graceful and subtle coloring to LaVerne’s compositions. “Frozen Music, Andy LaVerne’s third album for SteepleChase, is a solid, modern blowing session...he makes skilful use of suspensions, pedal points, and ostinatos, which along with the music’s floating harmonies, give the soloists a wealth of elbow room...” (Mark Stryker, Cadence) “un disque du plus haut niveau musical.” (Henri Marchal – Spectacles)

The “Three” of “The Three Is Not A Crowd” goes way back to 1977 when Andy LaVerne, Mike Richmond and Billy Hart comprised the rhythm section for the great Stan Getz quartet. Andy LaVerne cut his debut album with Richmond and Hart that year in Copenhagen which was released as “Another World” (SteepleChase SCCD 31086). 35 years later the “Three” convened in a NJ studio to record. The result here is not just a reunion but a new world of creative outpouring by the three mature artists.