Tenor player Richard Torres was the premier solo voice in the Stan Kenton Orchestra for many years with a sound that is visceral, gutsy, modern, yet rooted in tradition, swing, boppin' humorous and playful, serious and soulful. This album features Richard and drummer Peter Erskine playing a collection of originals with a standard or two for good measure accompanied by Alan Pasqua on piano and Dave Carpenter on bass.

The Peter Erskine New Trio represents the latest evolution in Peter's musical journey exploring the more intimate realms of improvised music. Pianist and arranger Vardan Ovsepian may prove to be the hottest jazz keyboard discovery in a long time, while electric bassist Damian Erskine (Peter's nephew) brings new luster to the family name. With gorgeous graphics by designer Bob Smith, "Joy Luck" is a joy to behold and hear. The album sports originals, plus covers of tunes by Vince Mendoza, Bob James and Jerry Goldsmith. The album's single is "Joy Luck Club," penned by Peter and it features all three players, including Erskine's marimba-playing debut! Like other Fuzzy Music releases, the audio quality is superb and the music is fresh. Tracks: Joy Luck Club, on Land, on Sea, Man's Dream, Esperanca, Dr. Kildare, Iridescence, Something I Said, Dreaming Paris, I've Never Been in Love Before, Every Tomorrow, Song for Zoey. While the esthetic standard is uncompromising, this will prove to be one of the more listener-friendly Fuzzy titles.

Reissue. World Sinfonia was originally released in 1991 and was Al di Meola's first album with his World Sinfonia ensemble. On this exceptional album, he successfully combines his unpredictable and spontaneous guitar playing style with a predominantly analogue production. World Sinfonia is defined by introspection and thoughtful writing, enhanced by the unique artistic connection between Di Meola and Argentinian bandoneon player Dino Saluzzi. The influences on this record range from South American, Spanish and Middle Eastern elements to Argentinian Tango, which is most evident on the memorable 'Last Tango For Astor', an ode to Astor Piazzolla.

Reissue. Despite it's confrontative title, Kiss My Axe is a somber album, reflective of the mature artist Al di Meola had become at the time. First released in February 1992, the album is a brilliant showcase of his impeccable technique yet doesn't overwhelm listeners with it. Di Meola uses his guitar skills rather subtly, enchanting the listeners and inviting them into this album filled to the brim with Latin influences and World Music elements, ranging from Middle Eastern harmonies to African grooves. The result is an immaculately arranged and passionately performed album that is widely regarded as one of the highlights in Al di Meola's decades-spanning year career.

Al Di Meola - One Of These Nights - Al Di Meola assembled a thoroughly excellent group of musicians for this review of the highlights of a career spanning almost three decades! Right from the start and with an almost imperceptible smile Al Di Meola deftly conjured up the most amazing runs and gorgeous melodies. Concentration rather than tension, and devotion rather than routine are tangible in his playing. Masterful virtuosity combined with perfect feeling for emotions. Al Di Meola assembled a thoroughly excellent group of musicians for this review of the highlights of a career spanning almost three decades - a fantastic combination of romantic chamber music, traditional Latin American music and the freedom of jazz, constantly switching between off-thecuff improvisation and intricate set-pieces. Time and again the musicians manage to vary familiar pieces with surprising rhythm changes and brilliant soundscapes.

On his aptly titled 1973 solo debut, Spectrum, Billy Cobham revealed his interest and aptitude for the rock, jazz and funk genres. Cobham's impressive list of collaborators here include keyboardist Jan Hammer, guitarist Tommy Bolin, electric bassist Lee Sklar and Ray Barretto on congas. Cobham was fresh off his success with the Mahavishnu Orchestra when he recorded Spectrum. The guitar licks from Bolin (Zephyr, James Gang, Deep Purple), who overdosed three years later, are particularly memorable and he merges beautifully with Cobham's Mahavishnu band mate Hammer. Spectrum reached No. 1 on the jazz charts around the world and became a crossover phenomenon, serving as a big influence on the burgeoning funk/jazz and fusion movements. All the hallmarks of a top-notch Analogue Productions (Atlantic 75 Series) reissue are here for you to savor: Mastered directly from the original master tape by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio and cut at 45 RPM. Pressed on 180-gram 2LP at Quality Record Pressings, and housed in a tip-on old style gatefold double pocket jacket by Stoughton Printing. Analogue Productions (Atlantic 75 Series) Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Atlantic Records! No. 1 jazz charting release worldwide! 180-gram 45 RPM double LP Mastered by Kevin Gray at Cohearent Audio from the original master tape Pressed at Quality Record Pressings Tip-on old style gatefold double pocket jacket by Stoughton Printing Tracklist: LP 1 Side A 1. Quadrant 4 LP 1 Side B 1. Searching For The Right Door 2. Spectrum 3. Anxiety 4. Taurian Matador LP 2 Side A 1. Stratus LP 2 Side B 1. To The Women In My Life 2. Le Lis 3. Snoopy's Search 4. Red Baron

Not just guitarists, but jazz lovers everywhere marveled at the feats of musicianship and musicality pulled off by Pass on the LP that made him famous ('73). These unaccompanied solos still stun and deeply satisfy: Night and Day; Stella by Starlight; Cherokee; How High the Moon; 'Round Midnight; the Song Is You, and more!

Joe Pass / Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen Northsea Lights. Recorded at Northsea Jazz Festival, the Hague, Holland, July 1979. Joe Pass on guitar and bassit Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen are featured on "If I Were a Bell," "I Can't Get Started," "Blues for the Hague," "Round About Midnight," "How Deep Is the Ocean" and "Stella By Starlight."

“...Witchdoctor’s Son contains the most infectious, buoyant, gleeful music...the interaction between Pukwana and Tchicai’s vastly differing phrase sensibilities is one of the joys of this recording...” (Lange, Down Beat) “...from Dyani’s most consistently inventive period...” (The Penguin Guide To JAZZ)

The First Lady of jazz, Mary Lou Williams (1910 - 1981) was the evolution of jazz itself. Starting her professional career as pianist/composer/arranger in the 20s, her style was swing but in the 40s she adopted the bop and later on she even ventured into the realm of avant-garde jazz. Yet she never lost her blues feeling which is evident in this CD. She contributed compositions and arrangements for many famous big bands such as Andy Kirk, Benny Goodman, Earl Hines, Duke Ellington. In the late 60s and the 70s she was more focused on composing sacred music. And one of her jazz masses was choreographed by Alvin Ailey. Around the time of this recording Mary Lou in her mid-60s was still active in the New York jazz scene performing regularly at the Cookery with the group recorded here. SteepleChase was proud to have the opportunity of recording one of the most significant artists of jazz of this century.

Two CDs. The second complete show to be issued from Keith Jarrett's 2016 European tour, following the acclaimed Munich 2016 concert. This double album documents the pianist's solo performance at Budapest's Bela Bart¢k National Concert Hall. Jarrett, whose roots go back to Hungary, saw it as a homecoming; the context inspired much creative improvisation. His later concerts are comprised of independent movements, each a marvel of spontaneous resourcefulness and creative energy.

Teddy Edwards (April 26, 1924 – April 20, 2003) was born in Jackson, MS. He started to play alto sax as a child and later changed to tenor when he was invited to join Howard McGhee’s group in the late 1940s. Since 1945 he has been living in Los Angeles, where he has played and recorded with the bands led by Benny Carter and Gerald Wilson. Edwards is also known for his scores for TV and radio. Edwards toured in Europe frequently in the 70’s and 80’s. This recording was made late 1980 for SteepleChase. Although the pianist Kenny Drew and Edwards have long known each other, this is the only recording the two friends made together. “Edwards is a wonderful and distinctive tenor player, with a smooth tone in the middle and lower register, a bit brassier in the upper, and a great sense of swing. His work is replete with melodic ideas, a gestural sense of variation in dynamics, and a lot of freedom with the beat — here relaxed and behind, there right on top of it or a little ahead.” (Larry Koenigsberg – AAJ) “His sole SteepleChase outing found Teddy in his prime and in excellent company. The outcome was among his finest quartet sets - no hokum but simply pure jazz all the way.” (Mark Gardner)

Here is the second volume of “In The Tradition” with all titles in first takes to complete the session which started with Volume one. The session was originally meant for Dexter Gordon. As Dexter was taken ill at the time of recording, Braxton filled in and the rest is history. “ This music confirms Braxton’s talent for striking a fine balance between the purely experimental and the more conventional.” (Jazz Journal)

Music is the air I breathe and the planet I inhabit. The only way I can pay my debt to music is by bringing it to others, with all my love. (Cathy Berberian) Cathy Berberian was born in the United States of Armenian parents. While proficient in the traditional concert repertoire, Miss Berberian was renowned for her contribution to contemporary music. Her enormous flexibility and range together with a strong sense of theater and innate musicality have been acclaimed by press and public alike, and have inspired the creation of compositions by major contemporary composers such as Berio, Bussotti, Cage, Milhaud, Maderna, Pousseur, etc. One of the highlights of her career was her musical relationship with Stravinsky who made the final version of the "Elegy for JFK" for her voice and with whom she gave concerts and made Columbia recordings of Stravinsky's vocal music.