Eternal Child, Avishai Cohen's new album, will be released in May and showcases the full depth of his artistry as a bassist and composer. Years later, he reunites with drummer Jeff Ballard on selected tracks, recalling their strong musical connection forged alongside Chick Corea. Recorded at the renowned Studio de Meudon in Paris, Eternal Child stands as a major new chapter in Cohen's work.
Eternal Child, Avishai Cohen's new album, will be released in May and showcases the full depth of his artistry as a bassist and composer. Years later, he reunites with drummer Jeff Ballard on selected tracks, recalling their strong musical connection forged alongside Chick Corea. Recorded at the renowned Studio de Meudon in Paris, Eternal Child stands as a major new chapter in Cohen's work.
Captured live at Ann Arbor, Michigan’s renowned jazz club Blue Llama in June 2024, David Janeway presents himself at the height of his powers, joined by the world class rhythm team of Robert Hurst III and Billy Hart. A Detroit bred musician with a deep lineage in that city’s storied jazz tradition, Janeway channels decades of mentorship, swing, and blues rooted expression into a set that is both powerfully modern and historically grounded. The trio’s telepathic interplay fuels inventive takes on standards, luminous ballads, and Janeway’s distinctive originals, all delivered with the group’s tightly converging sound and emotional depth that define his artistry. Following acclaimed SteepleChase releases with Hart and Cameron Brown, this live recording stands as Janeway’s most vibrant statement yet—an inspired document of three master musicians creating in the moment.
“It is no small feat to say that not only is Janeway’s playing sparkling but so is his ability to write tuneful compositions.”
Michael P. Gladstone, All About Jazz Review
Anthony Ferrara’s fourth SteepleChase release, Straight Into The Sun Vision, marks a striking new chapter for the rising tenor saxophonist. After three acclaimed albums: SCCD 31920 Early Spring, SCCD 31932 Cold Faded and SCCD 31975 Factory Fresh with his “dream team” veteran rhythm section, Ferrara now leads a working quartet of peers whose shared history brings a fresh cohesion to his music. In a familiar group of contemporaries the performances took to a newly open personal level of expression. Ferrara’s original compositions range from high velocity, odd meter burners to lyrical, atmospheric pieces, all unified by his distinctive voice and narrative improvising. Two vocal features reveal yet another facet of his artistry, including the reflective title track penned by Ferrara. Straight Into The Sun Vision captures a rapidly maturing artist stepping fully into his sound—bold, inventive, and unmistakably his own.
“What is particularly impressive about Ferrara is that he not only has a mature, confident and appealing sound, but also is finding his own voice. Ferrara is also a capable composer, penning a diverse set of songs that invite repeated hearings, a huge challenge for any musician at the beginning of their career.” (Ken Dryden – NYCJR on SCCD 31938 Cold Faded)
The entire project is both spare and impossibly lush. While this may sound like a contradiction, it has everything to do with the virtuosic musicianship of pianist Art Hirahara and Jim Tomlinson, as well as Stacey's elegant and unadorned vocal approach. The opening track, Lucky To Be Me, works as an invitation to the theme of the album and uses the open space between vocal phrases to draw us in. And, while all of the tracks are worth an unadulterated listen, I'm going to list a few of my favorites, starting with La Javanaise, which is delivered with an almost offhanded musical precision and sung in Stacey's pitch-perfect French. The surprising warmth of Stacey's lower vocal range makes A Time For Love the intimate ballad it was meant to be. Jim's tenor sax does the same, so that his playing is the ideal complement to Stacey's voice. The entire album is a joy to listen to both musically and sonically. It was lovingly recorded and mixed by Jim (yet another of his talents) at their home studio in Virginia. - Cliff Goldmacher Stacey Kent is an American jazz singer in the mould of the greats, with a legion of fans, a host of honors and awards including a Grammy® nomination, album sales in excess of 2 million and more than one billion streams, and Platinum, Double-Gold, and Gold-selling albums that have reached a series of chart-topping positions. Stacey, a comparative literature graduate with a passion for music, travelled to Europe to further her studies after receiving her degree from Sarah Lawrence College in NY. Through a series of twists of fate, she found herself in London, where she enrolled in a graduate music program at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she met her future husband and musical partner, Jim Tomlinson. Kent's musical journey began with childhood piano lessons. A keen ear and true voice led her to search out opportunities to express her love of music. However, nothing suggested the shift from the academic path to the one that propelled her to international recognition as one of the foremost jazz singers of her generation. With a catalogue of 13 studio albums, including the Platinum-selling, Grammy®-nominated Breakfast On The Morning Tram (Blue Note/EMI 2007) and an impressive list of collaborations, Stacey has graced the stages of nearly 60 countries over the course of her career. Her worldwide fan base is testimony to her ability to express the emotional heart of her songs with delicately nuanced interpretations that transcend borders and defy categorization. Her unique multi-lingual repertoire includes standards, chanson, Bossa Nova, and originals written by Jim Tomlinson, her saxophonist/producer/composer/arranger husband, in collaboration with the Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro, with whom they have worked since 2006. She has also recorded with Brazilian legends Marcos Valle, Roberto Menescal, and Danilo Caymmi, and the celebrated French string quartet, the Quatuor Ébène. Stacey's last studio album, Summer Me, Winter Me, was released in November 2023 on Naïve Records. A collection of fans' requests from her as-yet unrecorded concert repertoire, Summer Me, Winter Me entered the French jazz charts at number 1 and has quickly established itself as a new highlight in her discography. She now returns with A Time For Love, set to appear on April 3rd, 2026.
The entire project is both spare and impossibly lush. While this may sound like a contradiction, it has everything to do with the virtuosic musicianship of pianist Art Hirahara and Jim Tomlinson, as well as Stacey's elegant and unadorned vocal approach. The opening track, Lucky To Be Me, works as an invitation to the theme of the album and uses the open space between vocal phrases to draw us in. And, while all of the tracks are worth an unadulterated listen, I'm going to list a few of my favorites, starting with La Javanaise, which is delivered with an almost offhanded musical precision and sung in Stacey's pitch-perfect French. The surprising warmth of Stacey's lower vocal range makes A Time For Love the intimate ballad it was meant to be. Jim's tenor sax does the same, so that his playing is the ideal complement to Stacey's voice. The entire album is a joy to listen to both musically and sonically. It was lovingly recorded and mixed by Jim (yet another of his talents) at their home studio in Virginia. - Cliff Goldmacher Stacey Kent is an American jazz singer in the mould of the greats, with a legion of fans, a host of honors and awards including a Grammy® nomination, album sales in excess of 2 million and more than one billion streams, and Platinum, Double-Gold, and Gold-selling albums that have reached a series of chart-topping positions. Stacey, a comparative literature graduate with a passion for music, travelled to Europe to further her studies after receiving her degree from Sarah Lawrence College in NY. Through a series of twists of fate, she found herself in London, where she enrolled in a graduate music program at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama, where she met her future husband and musical partner, Jim Tomlinson. Kent's musical journey began with childhood piano lessons. A keen ear and true voice led her to search out opportunities to express her love of music. However, nothing suggested the shift from the academic path to the one that propelled her to international recognition as one of the foremost jazz singers of her generation. With a catalogue of 13 studio albums, including the Platinum-selling, Grammy®-nominated Breakfast On The Morning Tram (Blue Note/EMI 2007) and an impressive list of collaborations, Stacey has graced the stages of nearly 60 countries over the course of her career. Her worldwide fan base is testimony to her ability to express the emotional heart of her songs with delicately nuanced interpretations that transcend borders and defy categorization. Her unique multi-lingual repertoire includes standards, chanson, Bossa Nova, and originals written by Jim Tomlinson, her saxophonist/producer/composer/arranger husband, in collaboration with the Nobel Prize-winning author Kazuo Ishiguro, with whom they have worked since 2006. She has also recorded with Brazilian legends Marcos Valle, Roberto Menescal, and Danilo Caymmi, and the celebrated French string quartet, the Quatuor Ébène. Stacey's last studio album, Summer Me, Winter Me, was released in November 2023 on Naïve Records. A collection of fans' requests from her as-yet unrecorded concert repertoire, Summer Me, Winter Me entered the French jazz charts at number 1 and has quickly established itself as a new highlight in her discography. She now returns with A Time For Love, set to appear on April 3rd, 2026.
“Love Grows Deep” reunites vibraphonist Dick Sisto and pianist Fred Hersch in a luminous duo setting, drawing from their long musical friendship and the acclaimed 2001 concert at the Kentucky Center for the Arts. Sisto — a deeply melodic player shaped by Chicago’s golden age jazz scene and decades of artistic life in Louisville — finds an ideal partner in Hersch, whose lyricism and harmonic imagination have made him one of modern jazz’s most celebrated pianists.
This hybrid release combines newly selected performances from the original Duo Live album with additional, previously unreleased material from the same concert. Originals by both artists sit alongside works by Wayne Shorter, Thelonious Monk, and Benny Carter, revealing a rapport marked by clarity, warmth, and effortless interplay.
A quarter century after its recording, “Love Grows Deep” stands as a testament to two master musicians whose shared sensibility turns every piece into an intimate conversation.
Experience Louis Armstrong at the height of his powers with this definitive 1959 Copenhagen concert, captured just months before his life changing heart attack. Drawn from newly restored Danish radio tapes, SCCD 36513 showcases Armstrong’s All Stars in explosive form—fiery “Tiger Rag,” soulful “Basin Street Blues,” a powerful “Black and Blue/Do You Know What It Means” medley, and joyous favorites like “Mack the Knife” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.” Featuring Velma Middleton, Trummy Young, Peanuts Hucko, Billy Kyle, Mort Herbert, and Danny Barcelona, this release reveals Armstrong’s unmatched stamina and emotional depth. Liner notes are by Ricky Riccardi, the Grammy winning Director of Research Collections at the Louis Armstrong House Museum and one of the world’s leading Armstrong scholars. A major archival addition to the Armstrong discography, presented with SteepleChase’s renowned audio restoration.
The acclaimed Danish jazz trio GinmanBlachmanDahl, consisting of pianist Carsten Dahl, bassist Lennart Ginman, and drummer Thomas Blachman, return with the album Play Ballads, a collection of 10 jazz standards rendered in their signature, contemplative style on Storyville Records. The trio's deep musical rapport is immediately apparent. Each note and silence are measured with care, revealing a rare comfort and understanding cultivated over decades of collaboration. Play Ballads is distinguished by it's contemplative approach to well-known standards such as Vernon Duke's Autumn in New York, Billy Strayhorn's Take the 'A' Train, Thelonious Monk's Blue Monk, and Duke Ellington's Satin Doll. Each track is performed at deliberately slow tempos, allowing the trio to explore the subtle beauty and emotional depth of each melody. Dahl's piano often leads with sensitive, improvisational statements, while Ginman's bass and Blachman's drums provide understated yet essential commentary. The album reveals new facets of these standards, balancing tradition with innovation and showcasing the trio's ability to make each melody their own. Their shared history stretches back to the late 1980s, encompassing projects with Page One, Thomas Agergaard, Claus Hempler, and numerous individual recordings. Separately, they have worked with American jazz luminaries including Ed Thigpen, Joe Lovano, and Eddie Gomez, and together they have explored standards and original compositions across multiple albums since 2004. Play Ballads is a testament to the trio's mastery, musical intuition, and their ability to make every note and every silence count. This album is not only a must-listen for longtime jazz aficionados but also an invitation for new audiences to experience the artistry of three of Denmark's finest jazz musicians at the height of their powers.
Storyville Records proudly announces the release of Never Say Yes - 1986, a previously unreleased live-in-studio recording by the Doug Raney Quartet, captured in Studio 3 at the Danish Broadcasting Corporation on January 9, 1986. The album features Doug Raney on guitar, Ben Besiakov on piano, Jesper Lundgaard on bass, and Finnish drummer Jukkis Uotila. Never Say Yes - 1986 offers seven tracks of inspired modern jazz, full of interplay, elegance, and technical brilliance. Doug Raney, the son of jazz guitar legend Jimmy Raney, carved out a distinctive path of his own, particularly within the vibrant Scandinavian jazz scene, where he lived and worked for decades. This recording, unearthed from the archives of the Danish Broadcasting Corporation, captures Doug in strikingly fine form following a return to health, backed by some of the most intuitive players on the Scandinavian scene. "He had an incredibly refined technique on the guitar, I'd almost call it organically innate, " writes bassist Jesper Lundgaard in the liner notes. "His playing felt like an extension of his personality, effortless, and yet grounded in a deep understanding of jazz's inner architecture, which is so difficult to truly master. Doug had a special ability to voice chords, and in my opinion, there was a beauty in his soloing that only very few possess." The session was the culmination of a brief Danish tour and showcases Raney's wide-ranging repertoire, from the burning drive of John Coltrane's Giant Steps to the aching beauty of I'm Old Fashioned and a soulful take on Nat Adderley's title track. Raney's melodic instinct, rhythmic command, and harmonic depth shine throughout, with dynamic support from Besiakov, Lundgaard, and Uotila. Despite his remarkable talent, Doug Raney remains a somewhat overlooked figure in modern jazz. With this release, Storyville Records shines a new light on a singular voice whose artistry remain as vital and moving as ever.
A leading drummer and producer, Nate Smith seamlessly blends jazz, funk, R&B, and hip-hop, driven by a groove that is both razor-sharp and deeply musical. LIVE-ACTION quickly made an impact, earning two GRAMMY® Award nominations in the categories of Best Alternative Jazz Album and Best Arrangement, Instruments & Vocals for the track featuring säje. With LIVE-ACTION Deluxe, Smith expands on the album's live energy, staying true to his organic, hands-on approach while once again collaborating with top voices in contemporary jazz, including Braxton Cook. Nate Smith envisioned LIVE-ACTION as a producer-driven project inspired by the legacy of Quincy Jones. "As a producer, I wanted to activate all the relationships I've built over the past five or six years, especially since the pandemic, many of them through social media," he explains. The album features an all-star cast of collaborators including Josh Johnson and Marquis Hill, rapper JSWISS, guitarists Charlie Hunter and Lionel Loueke, bassists Michael League, Ben Williams, and CARRTOONS, keyboardists DJ Harrison and Keifer, the vocal group säje, singer Jermaine Holmes, and Lalah Hathaway. Hathaway delivers a standout performance on a bold reimagining of the Pointer Sisters' 1984 classic Automatic, fully reharmonized and reworked alongside Smith. While LIVE-ACTION is highly collaborative, Smith maintains a strong sense of cohesion through intentional creative limitations. "I wanted the record to feel like it was recorded to tape in my bedroom. I limited myself on purpose, using analog gear and the same instruments throughout. I did just two or three takes per part, with no copy and paste or studio tricks. Everything you hear was played live. Nothing is programmed or sequenced." With the release of LIVE-ACTION Deluxe, Nate Smith builds on that momentum, introducing new collaborations and previously unreleased performances while celebrating the success of the original album, which earned two GRAMMY® Award nominations.
Cornetist Kirk Knuffke, hailed as “one of modern jazz’s most skilled navigators of the divide between freedom and swing,” unveils another striking SteepleChase album this March. Following acclaimed projects like Cherryco, Tight Like This, Play Date, and Super Blonde, Knuffke again redefines ensemble possibilities with daring instrumentation and imaginative repertoire. His warm, distinctive cornet tone—played on the rare double shepherd’s-crook horn—anchors a program balancing tradition and innovation. Standards, early jazz gems, and soulful classics are transformed through collective improvisation, while Knuffke’s originals sparkle with wit and lyricism. Critics have praised his ability to honour past masters while sounding entirely himself. This new release continues that legacy: colourful, inventive, swinging, and deeply memorable.
This new release confirms his stature and offers another dazzling chapter in his ongoing story. For longtime admirers, it is a welcome continuation; for newcomers, it is an ideal entry point into the world of a cornetist whose artistry bridges past and present, inside and outside, swing and freedom.
“Cornetist Kirk Knuffke’s exquisite taste is long established. _at aesthetic has always arrived subtly and cleanly, as it does on this beguiling new album”. (Peter Margasak - Downbeat on SCCD31964 Super Bonde)
The Guesthouse is about collaboration, inclusion, and the essence of welcoming which is the essence of an open door. It's my most ambitious project to date, sonically and compositionally. It involves so many incredibly talented people: some are in the front, playing music together with me, offering their insight, time, effort, and love, and some incredibly talented and hardworking people are behind the scenes, facilitating, allowing, and inspiring me to keep pushing forward. Musically speaking, the color palette on The Guesthouse is huge. It introduces many musical guests that I admire deeply: MARO, Immanuel Wilkins, Michael Mayo, and many more. It includes lyric writing for the first time, electronic instruments, guitars, trumpets, flutes, flamenco musicians, in-depth production work, my quartet, solo piano, odd meter explorations, improvisations, songs with no time, strings, two pianos conversing and more and more and more.. I dove as deep as I could into these deep waters. The result is my attempt to turn the creative chaos that lives in mind mind into one coherent artistic statement, always having a simple melody as a thread that tells the story of this collective. Shai Maestro Shai Maestro (b. 1987) is one of the most inventive and influential pianists of his generation. Since debuting with his own trio in 2011, he has developed a distinctive musical voice that is fluid, expressive, and profoundly lyrical. His artistry has made him a defining figure in contemporary jazz, merging improvisation, composition, and global influences into a sound that is both cinematic and deeply personal. Maestro began studying classical piano at the age of five and discovered jazz at eight through the recordings of Keith Jarrett and Oscar Peterson. At nineteen, he joined bassist Avishai Cohen's trio, co-writing the acclaimed Gently Disturbed and performing worldwide. In 2011, he formed his own trio, recording six albums that solidified his reputation as a singular voice in modern jazz. His years with ECM Records, under the guidance of Manfred Eicher, placed him among the lineage of pianists such as Keith Jarrett, Paul Bley, and Chick Corea. With drummer Ofri Nehemya and bassist Jorge Roeder, he recorded his first ECM album "The Dream Thief", later joined by trumpeter Philip Dizack for the second - "Human", both expanding the expressive language of the modern jazz quartet. Today, Maestro continues to evolve artistically with a new quartet featuring keyboardist Gadi Lehavi, drummer Ofri Nehemya, and bassist Jorge Roeder. Gadi, the new wild card in the group, brings a distinctive energy and vision; his presence as another pianist opens fresh possibilities for dialogue, texture, and experimentation between two keyboards. This lineup functions as a powerful, cohesive engine driving Maestro's musical exploration, blending jazz improvisation with modern production into a sound that is organic, cinematic, and forward-looking. In 2025, Maestro signed a long-term partnership with the Paris-based label naive records, a defining milestone that opened an expansive new chapter in his artistic life. The collaboration with naive marked a moment of renewal and bold creative ambition, setting the stage for a period of profound exploration. The first fruit of this partnership was his solo piano album, Solo: Miniatures & Tales. Introspective and deeply personal, it revealed the most intimate side of Maestro's artistry; a work of quiet reflection, nuance, and restraint. This album stands in deliberate contrast to the broader, outward-looking vision of his forthcoming project, The Guesthouse, highlighting the duality at the heart of Maestro's creative world: the tension between introspection and expansion. In March 2026, Maestro will release The Guesthouse, a record that features Portuguese singer MARO alongside Immanuel Wilkins, and Michael Mayo. The album represents a bold leap forward, combining the sensitivity of modern jazz with electronic sound design and the harmonic depth of classical music. The Guesthouse creates a lush, cinematic space where boundaries dissolve, embodying Maestro's exploration of openness and collaboration.
The Guesthouse is about collaboration, inclusion, and the essence of welcoming which is the essence of an open door. It's my most ambitious project to date, sonically and compositionally. It involves so many incredibly talented people: some are in the front, playing music together with me, offering their insight, time, effort, and love, and some incredibly talented and hardworking people are behind the scenes, facilitating, allowing, and inspiring me to keep pushing forward. Musically speaking, the color palette on The Guesthouse is huge. It introduces many musical guests that I admire deeply: MARO, Immanuel Wilkins, Michael Mayo, and many more. It includes lyric writing for the first time, electronic instruments, guitars, trumpets, flutes, flamenco musicians, in-depth production work, my quartet, solo piano, odd meter explorations, improvisations, songs with no time, strings, two pianos conversing and more and more and more.. I dove as deep as I could into these deep waters. The result is my attempt to turn the creative chaos that lives in mind mind into one coherent artistic statement, always having a simple melody as a thread that tells the story of this collective. Shai Maestro Shai Maestro (b. 1987) is one of the most inventive and influential pianists of his generation. Since debuting with his own trio in 2011, he has developed a distinctive musical voice that is fluid, expressive, and profoundly lyrical. His artistry has made him a defining figure in contemporary jazz, merging improvisation, composition, and global influences into a sound that is both cinematic and deeply personal. Maestro began studying classical piano at the age of five and discovered jazz at eight through the recordings of Keith Jarrett and Oscar Peterson. At nineteen, he joined bassist Avishai Cohen's trio, co-writing the acclaimed Gently Disturbed and performing worldwide. In 2011, he formed his own trio, recording six albums that solidified his reputation as a singular voice in modern jazz. His years with ECM Records, under the guidance of Manfred Eicher, placed him among the lineage of pianists such as Keith Jarrett, Paul Bley, and Chick Corea. With drummer Ofri Nehemya and bassist Jorge Roeder, he recorded his first ECM album "The Dream Thief", later joined by trumpeter Philip Dizack for the second - "Human", both expanding the expressive language of the modern jazz quartet. Today, Maestro continues to evolve artistically with a new quartet featuring keyboardist Gadi Lehavi, drummer Ofri Nehemya, and bassist Jorge Roeder. Gadi, the new wild card in the group, brings a distinctive energy and vision; his presence as another pianist opens fresh possibilities for dialogue, texture, and experimentation between two keyboards. This lineup functions as a powerful, cohesive engine driving Maestro's musical exploration, blending jazz improvisation with modern production into a sound that is organic, cinematic, and forward-looking. In 2025, Maestro signed a long-term partnership with the Paris-based label naive records, a defining milestone that opened an expansive new chapter in his artistic life. The collaboration with naive marked a moment of renewal and bold creative ambition, setting the stage for a period of profound exploration. The first fruit of this partnership was his solo piano album, Solo: Miniatures & Tales. Introspective and deeply personal, it revealed the most intimate side of Maestro's artistry; a work of quiet reflection, nuance, and restraint. This album stands in deliberate contrast to the broader, outward-looking vision of his forthcoming project, The Guesthouse, highlighting the duality at the heart of Maestro's creative world: the tension between introspection and expansion. In March 2026, Maestro will release The Guesthouse, a record that features Portuguese singer MARO alongside Immanuel Wilkins, and Michael Mayo. The album represents a bold leap forward, combining the sensitivity of modern jazz with electronic sound design and the harmonic depth of classical music. The Guesthouse creates a lush, cinematic space where boundaries dissolve, embodying Maestro's exploration of openness and collaboration.
Guitarist John Hart returns to the classic guitar-bass-drums trio format for his seventh SteepleChase release. After several adventurous outings, New Mantra marks a melodic homecoming, reuniting Hart with longtime collaborators Bill Moring and Tim Horner.
Known for his lyrical phrasing and harmonic depth, Hart emphasizes melody and clarity, crafting originals like “Think” and “Abyss” alongside fresh takes on standards such as “Stella by Starlight” and “Some Other Time.” With over 100 sideman credits and decades of leadership, Hart continues to shape modern jazz guitar — blending tradition, intellect, and soul in every note.
“Resonance resonates…and how. Mucho bravos to John Hart and his bandmates for providing jazz guitar fans with a refreshing and inspired offering which exhibits the time-honoured legacy of the instrument.” (UK JazzNews on SCCD 31948 Resonance)
C’est si bon - Foreign Artists Singing in French 1931-1962
Frémeaux
CD
$32.99Feb 20, 2026
An irresistible invitation to a journey into the heart of the "so chic" glamour of 1950s and 1960s France! This 2-CD box set, curated by Olivier Julien, brings together tracks from major international artists like Blossom Dearie, Eartha Kitt, Marlene Dietrich, and Louis Armstrong, who ventured into French, the language of love. These unforgettable performances transport us back to an eternal Paris, with it's restaurants, it's fashion, and it's music at the forefront of global sophistication. - Patrick Frémeaux
This live album brings together two legendary Parisian concerts, recorded in 1956 and 1961, that capture all the explosive energy and contagious enthusiasm of a "Lion" at the peak of his glory. These dynamite performances are a testament to the boundless generosity of one of the most formidable entertainers in jazz history, an artist capable of transforming a simple concert into a true show. The listener is carried away by Hampton's infectious enthusiasm and the powerful swing of his big band. It's dance jazz at it's zenith. - Patrick Frémeaux The Live in Paris collection by Michel Brillié allows listeners to hear previously unreleased recordings (made at concerts, private-, or radio-sessions) by the great 20th century stars in jazz, rock & roll and song. These "live" takes, and the artists' rapport with their audiences, give these performances an additional soul and sensibility in counterpoint to the rigorous demands of studio recordings. Particular care was taken when restoring the sound of these tapes in order to meet CD standards while preserving the original colours of the period. - Patrick Frémeaux & Gilles Pétard
A Vibraphone Dialogue Like No Other.
Glow, which is dedicated to the late vibraphone master Dave Samuels, is a landmark recording that redefines what’s possible in jazz vibraphone performance. Featuring two of the world’s most accomplished mallet percussionists—David Friedman and Tony Miceli—this album is not just a duet; it’s a revelation. It’s the first jazz album composed entirely of vibraphone duets, and it succeeds where others have hesitated: by solving the long-standing challenge of sonic overlap and range limitation.
What sets Glow apart is its innovative approach to range and texture. The vibraphone, with its three-octave span, presents a unique challenge when paired with another of its kind. Historically, artists have sidestepped this issue by pairing vibes with marimba, which offers a broader tonal palette. But Friedman and Miceli dared to go where others faltered: two vibraphones, no safety net.
Their solution? Instant arranging—a dynamic, real-time negotiation of register and role. If Miceli plays a melody in the upper octaves, Friedman anchors the sound in the lower range. If Miceli shifts to the middle, Friedman “sandwiches” him with left-hand bass and right-hand treble. This constant awareness of spatial and harmonic placement creates a rich, layered sound that feels orchestral despite the duo format.
Each player adjusts not only to avoid clashing but to enhance the other’s voice. The result is a seamless interplay where melody, harmony, and rhythm breathe together.
Swedish bassist and composer Thommy Andersson makes his long-awaited SteepleChase leader debut with Shimmering Blue, a striking trio recording featuring Kirk Knuffke (cornet) and José Davila (helicon, tuba, didgeridoo, euphorium, and bass flute).
Known for his work with Pierre Dørge’s New Jungle Orchestra, Andersson now steps forward with a highly personal sound world—drumless, low-brass rich, and full of lyrical nuance.
Drawing on his background as a trombonist and cellist, Andersson crafts compositions that shimmer with color and emotional depth. From rustic tone poems to avant-garde textures, the album explores space, resonance, and melodic interplay with chamber-like intimacy.
Critics have praised his “supremely weighted bass playing” and ability to “facilitate exalted music.” Shimmering Blue is a bold, poetic statement from a seasoned artist—grounded in Nordic tradition, yet open to global textures and sonic surprise.
The acclaimed Danish jazz trio Ginmanblachmandahl, consisting of pianist Carsten Dahl, bassist Lennart Ginman, and drummer Thomas Blachman, return with the album Play Ballads, a collection of fifteen jazz standards rendered in their signature, contemplative style on Storyville Records. The trio's deep musical rapport is immediately apparent. Each note and silence is measured with care, revealing a rare comfort and understanding cultivated over decades of collaboration. Play Ballads is distinguished by it's contemplative approach to well-known standards such as Matt Dennis' Angel Eyes, Vernon Duke's Autumn in New York, Billy Strayhorn's Take the "A" Train, Thelonious Monk's Blue Monk, and Duke Ellington's Satin Doll. Each track is performed at deliberately slow tempos, allowing the trio to explore the subtle beauty and emotional depth of each melody. Dahl's piano often leads with sensitive, improvisational statements, while Ginman's bass and Blachman's drums provide understated yet essential commentary. Highlights include a sparse and intimate Angel Eyes, the reflective melancholy of Gone with the Wind, and a subtle reinterpretation of Ellington's Things Ain't What They Used to Be. The album reveals new facets of these standards, balancing tradition with innovation and showcasing the trio's ability to make each melody their own. Their shared history stretches back to the late 1980s, encompassing projects with Page One, Thomas Agergaard, Claus Hempler, and numerous individual recordings. Separately, they have worked with American jazz luminaries including Ed Thigpen, Joe Lovano, and Eddie Gomez, and together they have explored standards and original compositions across multiple albums since 2004. Play Ballads is a testament to the trio's mastery, musical intuition, and their ability to make every note and every silence count. This album is not only a must-listen for longtime jazz aficionados but also an invitation for new audiences to experience the artistry of three of Denmark's finest jazz musicians at the height of their powers.
