Take five SteepleChase leaders (three of them brilliant modern exponents of the electric guitar), have them bring some tunes they dig into the studio, roll the tapes, sit back and listen to a creative hour of spontaneous combustion. That’s what producer Nils Winther did when he laid on a rendez-vous for a trio of the label’s top plectrists - Vic Juris, Dave Stryker and Tony Purrone.
To give this formidable “string section” the appropriate drive, two fellow SteepleChasers, drummer Keith Copeland and bassist Scott Colley, both leaders in their own right, were pressed into service.
(from Mark Gardner's liner notes)
Dave Stryker’s most successful band “Blue To The Bone” is back again. This long-waited third volume is dedicated to Brother Jack McDuff and Stanley Turrentine, both of whom left tremendous influence on Stryker.
“… a truly original guitar voice to break new ground in large ensemble music …. Stryker has assembled a fantastic group to realize his pieces … There is no more satisfying guitarist, with such a large body of original works to be heard today … ” (Charles A Apicella)
Dave Stryker’s music is deeply rooted in blues, having performed with Jack McDuff in the 80s and Stanley Turrentine in the 90s. Dave’s special blend of jazz and blues culminated first time in 1996 in the form of “Blue To The Bone I” (SCCD 31400). Since then the project has become a popular on-going series. The fourth addition features Stryker’s regular organ trio (Jared Gold on B-3 and McClenty Hunter on drums).
“There are solid solos from all hands throughout the album …. Based on the personnel and the feeling of these performances, I'd like to catch this group live”. (Owen Cordle – JazzTimes on Blue To The Bone III SCCD 31465)
“As great as the first set was, it's without hesitation that I deem this new one a valiant leap forward. …..They, along with the charts and an elation that the blues almost paradoxically provide, make for an end product that is indeed greater than the sum of the parts” (C. Andrew Hovan-AAJ on Blue To The Bone II SCCD 31524)
The 10th of SteepleChase’ ongoing series of Jam Sessions finds three ace guitarists in creative, competitive but friendly atmosphere of recording studio.
On earlier Jam Session series, Chris Parker of CD Reviews commented, “… a varied programme skilfully played by all concerned … .” and Derek Taylor of All About Jazz wrote, “… The Danish SteepleChase imprint has long recognized the fertile dynamics of jam sessions, fronting the resources for many in its roster of players to convene in just such supportive surroundings … ”
Dave Stryker, who is ever striving to meet a new challenge, re-examines here on his 12th album on the label, the impact of Miles Davis’ music from the late 60s. Based on the sound and format of Miles’ “Bitches Brew” period, Stryker creates intriguing music of his own.
In the linernotes, renowned tenorman David Liebman comments,”…Dave Stryker and his band have created a wonderful and joyous palette of sound for you to enjoy with the ghost of the Prince of Darkness looming in the shadows. I could imagine Miles listening and voicing his approval of this recording. Enjoy!!”
Dave Stryker, who is ever striving to meet a new challenge, re-examines here on his 12th album on the label, the impact of Miles Davis’ music from the late 60s. Based on the sound and format of Miles’ “Bitches Brew” period, Stryker creates intriguing music of his own.
In the linernotes, renowned tenorman David Liebman comments,”…Dave Stryker and his band have created a wonderful and joyous palette of sound for you to enjoy with the ghost of the Prince of Darkness looming in the shadows. I could imagine Miles listening and voicing his approval of this recording. Enjoy!!”
Dave Stryker, who is ever striving to meet a new challenge, re-examines here on his 12th album on the label, the impact of Miles Davis’ music from the late 60s. Based on the sound and format of Miles’ “Bitches Brew” period, Stryker creates intriguing music of his own.
In the linernotes, renowned tenorman David Liebman comments,”…Dave Stryker and his band have created a wonderful and joyous palette of sound for you to enjoy with the ghost of the Prince of Darkness looming in the shadows. I could imagine Miles listening and voicing his approval of this recording. Enjoy!!”
Dave Stryker, who is ever striving to meet a new challenge, re-examines here on his 12th album on the label, the impact of Miles Davis’ music from the late 60s. Based on the sound and format of Miles’ “Bitches Brew” period, Stryker creates intriguing music of his own.
In the linernotes, renowned tenorman David Liebman comments,”…Dave Stryker and his band have created a wonderful and joyous palette of sound for you to enjoy with the ghost of the Prince of Darkness looming in the shadows. I could imagine Miles listening and voicing his approval of this recording. Enjoy!!”
This is a sequel to Stryker’s highly successful nine-piece band Miles tribute “Shades of Miles” (SCCD 31480). With a smaller ensemble (quintet) this time the music originally inspired by Miles Davis took on a life of its own.
About “Shades of Miles” (SCCD 31480), Bob Protzman of St Paul Pioneer Press wrote: “Even with the recent massive reissuing of Miles’ recordings form the late 1960s and early 70s, this is an album very much worth hearing.”
And Derek Day of JazzReview, “A convincing record, one that breathes new life into a tried and tested formula… ”
One For Reedus, Dave Stryker’s first recording for the label since the 2003 set “Strike Up The Band” (released in 2008) is also Dave’s return to a format that was so much part of his musical development on moving to New York in the early 1980s - the guitar/organ/drums combination.
The Dave Stryker Organ Trio has been a working band for the past several years. This album is dedicated to the band’s great drummer Tony Reedus who passed away early 2009, who was very much involved in this project.
“The album has a definite polish: Nils Winther's production is of a very high quality, and each of the four musicians plays with a distinctive and clear sound…..” (Jay Deshpande on Strike Up The Band SCCD31637 – AllAboutJazz)
Recorded at the end of the millennium, Dave Stryker’s latest release (13th on SteepleChase label) presents a collection of his intriguing original compositions with some different time signatures, perhaps inspired by the times that are changing. “…Changing Times reflects not only the growth of one of jazz’s most exceptional performers but also captures the feelings of working musicians through compositions presaging the future as we head into the new millennium.” (Jim Eigo)
C. Andrew Hovan of AllAboutJazz once observed, “What has marked all of Stryker's previous SteepleChase sides has been his penchant to not repeat formats or ideas. Each session sports a different group of musicians and the material covers new ground.” Mr. Hovan’s observation proves true here on Stryker’s latest recording of mesmerizing organ quintet with repertoire raging from Michael Jackson to Clifford Brown together with his originals.
“(Stryker) combines tradition and modernity in equal balance, arranges with skill and imagination, teases optimum performances from associates with good-natured relish, and plays the blues with deep felt conviction.” (Mark Gardner – from the liner notes)
