Recorded in NYC in the midst of Dexter’s great come back to the USA Biting The Apple was awarded the Grand Prix du Disque Diamant of 1978 by the Montreux Jazz Festival. “Biting The Apple being recorded around the same time as his “Homecoming” (CBS) album sounds much better with strong backing by pianist Barry Harris, bassist Sam Jones and drummer Al Foster.” (Oakland Tribune) 180g Audiophile Vinyl

Long considered as one of the Big Apple's most in demand sidemen, in recent years alto-tenor saxophonist Dick Oatts has stepped out as a leader. In this his fifth effort as a leader for SteepleChase seven out of the eight tunes are originals. The band is anchored by his long time rhythm section of Dave Santoro on bass and James Oblon on drums. On three of these tunes he is joined by SteepleChase stalwart pianist Harold Danko whom he first met and played with in the Thad Jones/ Mel Lewis Orchestra in the late seventies. Ken Dryden of the AMG All Music Guide describes Oatts as having a "fat confident tone." Indeed this is a saxophonist extrordinaire whose instrumental prowess is matched only by his compositional abilities.

In the summer of 1965 Dexter Gordon spent most of his evenings performing at Jazzhus Montmartre packed with his loyal fans. Five of these evenings were broadcasted by the Danish Radio and SteepleChase is making them all available for the first time. This CD captures high-spirited Dexter on the third night. This CD captures high-spirited Dexter on the third night.

After a short stay in New York, Dexter returned to his favourite city of Copenhagen in June 1965 and resumed his career’s best and most productive period. This is the first volume of magnificent live performances from Dexter’s favourite club “Jazzhus Montmartre” in 1965.

Dexter Gordon’s most creative and prolific years were spent in Europe in the 1960s and the first half of 1970s. Right until the great homecoming (to USA) of 1976 Dexter had performed frequently in Copenhagen’s famous Montmartre Jazzhus. Many of the nights were broadcasted by Danish Radio and later released by this label (The Dexter In Radioland series). This latest Gordon album recorded 1974 is special because of the fact that - except for a few tracks which were broadcasted - that night the whole concert of the evening has never been made available to the public before. And Dexter makes this concert even more special with his display of relaxed yet intense power of creativity. On Dexter’s 2004 release Loose Walk SCCD 36032 Chris Kelsey of JazzTimes wrote, “…the gritty soulfulness of his playing reminds us just how much we miss the greats of his generation. They don't make 'em like this anymore.”

“Don Friedman is probably playing better now than at any other period of his splendid career. Maturity has brought a deepening of emotional expression, a refinement of touch and the knowledge of exactly how much he wants to say within a given performance……On this beautifully conceived and executed CD, Don is in the bright company of three musicians who share his aims and ideals, and hold true to the tenets of balancing spontaneity with organisational clarity and discipline…” (Mark Gardner – linernotes)

The collaboration between Duke Jordan and SteepleChase in the 70s represents a major body of Duke Jordan’s creative output both as performing artist and as composer. Duke led his regular trio with Wilbur Little and Dannie Richmond during the extensive Scandinavian tour in the autumn of 1978. This release is from the concert at the Art Museum at Høvikodden, Norway, filled with Duke Jordan’s melodic magic.

Best-known for her classic 1955 Top 10 hit "Cry Me A River", Julie London was a fine sultry-voiced jazz and pop singer, who enjoyed her greatest popularity during the "cool" era of the late '50s and early '60s - Billboard magazine named her as the most popular female vocalist of 1955, '56 and '57. Although she sang as a child with her parents' vaudeville act on radio, the first decade of her career from 1945 was as a Hollywood movie actress, becoming a popular pin-up girl of GIs, and appearing with the likes of Gary Cooper. Beginning her recording career in 1955, she scored a hit with her first release for Liberty, "Cry Me A River", and over subsequent years released around twenty singles for the label, as well as having a regular output of concept albums, showcasing her smoky and sensuous vocal style with a mixture of sophisticated pop and mainstream jazz material. This great-value 58-track 2-CD collection comprises her debut recordings on an EP recorded for the Bethlehem label (the tracks were later released as singles by Liberty), and all her A and B sides for Liberty through to 1962, some of which came from her LP releases, plus selected tracks from the seventeen albums she released during those first important years of her recording career. As well as "Cry Me A River", it includes what was one of her best-known recordings, her vocal version of the jazz cha-cha "Desafinado (Slightly Out of Tune)" from 1962. "Cry Me A River" has been revived by many high-profile artists over the years. Julie London is an artist who has not received the accolades she deserved as a sophisticated jazz/pop singer to compare with the likes of Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah Vaughan and Peggy Lee, and this collection will help underline her distinctive talent.

Jazzhus Montmartre in the summer of 1965 Dexter Gordon spent most of his evenings performing at Jazzhus Montmartre packed with his loyal fans. This is the fourth volume from those unforgettable five evenings taped by the Danish Radio and made available for the broader audience for the first time by SteepleChase. “…. absolutely essential live transcriptions…” (Mark Gardner)

In his new album “Lookin’ Up” Dick Oatts teams up with his colleague and friend of 34 years, veteran trombonist John Mosca. Dick Oatts notes, “I’ve always liked the way alto sax and trombone blend together and I’ve always been meaning to do a CD with John but the music was never quite right for it. So I sat down over the holiday break and wrote the music around John, the alto and the trombone.” Derek Taylor of Master of a Small House describes Dick Oatts’ previous release “Two Hearts (SCCD 31694) as “testament to Oatts’ improvisatory powers”.

A brilliant sequel to the highly acclaimed Standard Issue (SCCD 31439) of 1998, this volume has a welcome addition of pianist Harold Danko on three of the five tracks. In the warm atmosphere of live house, the band gets extra energy from the appreciative audiences. Dick Oatts’ personal sound on alto sax (and tenor sax on one track) is once again a real treat for all listeners.

Limited 180gm vinyl LP pressing in gatefold jacket. After appearing together at an all-star concert the night before, Ella Fitzgerald and Louis Armstrong went into an L.A. studio to record this gem of an album. Despite having little to no time for rehearsals, the sublime artistic mastery of Ella and Louis and the instant chemistry they achieved resulted in one of the few truly indispensable recordings in all of jazz. Verve's Acoustic Sounds Series features transfers from analog tapes.

Double 180gm vinyl LP pressing housed in gatefold jacket. The duo that critics have called "a match made in heaven" are in peak form on the sequel to their 1956 debut. Ella's voice - warm and sweet as honey - and Louis' gravelly croon formed a sound built for commercial success. Ella & Louis Again is a key element of what could be considered the most iconic jazz duo of all time. Verve Acoustic Sounds Series features transfers from analog tapes.

Simply put, Samara Joy is next. At just 22 years old, her Verve debut 'Linger Awhile' shows that with a voice, tone, and phrasing that harkens back to the most legendary jazz vocalists, Samara belongs in the company of iconic labelmates from Ella Fitzgerald to Sarah Vaughan to Billie Holiday. Samara is remarkably savvy on TikTok and Instagram, fostering a community of devoted followers through fully organic means. She is poised to be a household name, synonymous with timeless jazz music.

The unforgettable sound of Sarah Vaughan is captured in this collection of essential recordings. From the swinging hits, "Lullaby Of Birdland" and "It's Crazy", to her best-loved recordings, including "Misty" and "Broken-Hearted Melody", this album highlights Vaughan's impeccable phrasing, emotional depth and remarkable range. Whether backed by a trio or a full orchestra, singing hits of the day or jazz standards, every track serves to remind us why Sarah Vaughan is still known as 'The Divine One'.

Ella Fitzgerald - "Let No Man Write My Epitaph (Verve Acoustic Sounds Series)" - Verve Label Group; Jazz; Considered one of Ella's greatest recordings, she's backed on this 1960 release by pianist Paul Smith. Let No Man Write My Epitaph was a 1960 Hollywood movie featuring Fitzgerald. The album hits at a rare depth of emotional understanding and once again establishes Fitzgerald as one of the supreme interpreters of the Great American Songbook. Verve's Acoustic Sounds Series features transfers from analog tapes and remastered 180-gram vinyl in deluxe gatefold packaging.

Jazz critic Owen Cordle once described Dick Oatts as “an uncompromising jazz musician, one who possesses monster chops without trumpeting them.” Dick Oatts has, since his move to NYC in the late 70s, been one of the most sought-after soloists on alto sax on both the NY scene and the international stage. Dick Oatts’ sensitive and cerebral approach to music enhanced by his “monster chops” manifested here again on his 11th leader album on SteepleChase. “… maybe the best showcase we've ever heard for the alto sax work of Dick Oatts!” (Dusty Groove on Sweet Nowhere SCCD 31778)

Nina Simone - "Nina's Back" / Recorded in 1985 after a break from recording and time spent living in Barbados and Liberia, Nina's Back features a rejuvenated Nina Simone reaching out to a wider musical audience. Featuring a number of memorable Simone compositions, the band includes horns and backup singers for a unique recording in Nina's catalog. Now available again on vinyl with new album artwork.

The Essential is a testament to Melody Gardot's enduring artistry. This collection spans 14 years of her career and includes 25 tracks that showcase the breadth of her musical abilities. Featuring selections from her six studio albums, remixes, live recordings and previously unreleased tracks, the album captures the essence of Gardot's talent. Highlights include her multilingual performances, emotive renditions of classics like Elton John's "Love Song," and live recordings that convey the raw honesty of her concerts. Each track offers a glimpse into the diverse emotional landscapes Gardot can traverse, making The Essential a rich and compelling portrait of an artist whose music speaks for itself.

Ella Fitzgerald in Copenhagen April 1959 was said to be still shy at age 42 and still modest after the 25 years of downright success reign as “Queen of Jazz”. The third volume of “In Concert” series features Ella’s quintet. Roy Eldridge, Swing Era’s greatest trumpeter, opens the program with two tracks. The live recording of this concert in Copenhagen has been essentially unknown for half a century. We are happy to add this release to Ella Fitzgerald’s legacy of supreme vocal art of American jazz.