While Eugenia Choe is a relatively new face on NY jazz scene, she has been one of the most sought-after pianists around and her own group presented here has been actively performing in NY area for some time. Korean-born Choe also a prolific composer compiles an intriguing repertoire mostly based on her original works fit for the debut album of a burgeoning young artist.

Korean-born New York based jazz vocalist/pianist/composer Soyoung Park presents her debut album on SteepleChase which starts with a phenomenal rendition of “Baker’s Mood”. Park studied at Berklee College of Music. She then finished her Master’s degree at Manhattan School of Music. Park received Korean singer-songwriter title in Yoo Jaeha Music Award in 2007 and was named a top 6 finalist in 2016 Mid-Atlantic Jazz Voice competition. She was semi-finalist in 2016 Montreux Jazz Voice competition.

French-born saxophonist Jonathan Orland studied at the Berklee College Of Music in Boston with George Garzone, Bill Pierce, a. o. and furthered his studies at McGill University in Montreal, Canada. Now back in Paris Orland recorded this his third leader album with the quartet he leads and performs regularly in Paris. “Between classicism and modernity, Orland’s playing is impressive with its inventiveness and virtuosic character.” (Christian Larrede – Jazz News) “Jonathan Orland belongs to a category of young musicians whose superlative technique allows them to dominate their instrument so perfectly that they give the impression to overcome every difficulty with ease, even on fast tempos. He demonstrates some uplifting boldness in the way he treats harmonies and a real capacity to compose beautiful melodies”. (Jacques Aboucaya – Jazz Magazine)

Burak Bedikyan, Turkish-born Armenian pianist/composer, made a huge move in 2017 in his musical and personal life by leaving his homeland to be a permanent part of great jazz scene of New York. His previous album “New Beginning” (SCCD 31861) commemorating the fresh start received high marks from media and listeners alike. Shortly prior to his departure to US Bedikyan recorded this album with his Istanbul-based group including drummer Can Kozlu, one of his teachers from Istanbul Bilgi University. Here is a unique group of musicians with diverse ethnic and cultural background to present a daring, exciting improvisational music. “Burak Bedikyan is one of the finest artists on the horizon.” (Brent Black / Criticaljazz.com) “This is a first-class trio date and an important step forward for Burak Bedikyan.” (Scott Yanow, LA Jazz Scene - on New Beginning SCCD 31861)

Italy’s young piano talent Federico Bonifazi met Tolga Bilgin, Turkey’s rising star trumpeter at the Milan Conservatory where they studied a few years ago. Their mutual admiration and friendship let them to perform as duo or in a larger ensemble since. Bonifazi’s fourth album “Last Minute” makes a suburb example of where the European jazz stands today. “You'll see is an album worthy of particular attention, conceived and created with a strong artistic personality and with an enormous communicative generosity, in which Bonifazi holds up well with his traveling companions who support him, follow him without ever overlapping , with the humility and discretion that only great artists possess and that make this CD a real pearl in the musical production of the Umbrian pianist.” (Top 1 Communication – on SCCD 33125)

SteepleChase LookOut begins its new year 2020 release with this piano trio album by French pianist/composer Marc Benham (also known as Benhamou). Benham started to play piano at very young age and his prodigious talent enabled him to perform professionally with Dixieland and New Orleans oriented jazz bands while still a teenager. Through expansive performing experience of diverse styles of jazz piano Benham developed his personal, original voice. Here on his debut on SteepleChase Benham showcases his dynamic and at the same time lyrical artistry of piano trio. Benham is also a dedicated educator who teaches jazz piano at the Conservatoire CIMP (Paris 17) and at the Bill Evans Piano Academy also in Paris. “Whether it’s stride, classical music or modern jazz, Marc Benham has an incomparable grasp of the material both in fiery and in controlled manner. He whirls but delivers a melodic and clear musical concept that testifies both harmonious and technical skills.” (France Musique)

Saxophonist Bob Sands toured Europe in the 80s with The Lionel Hampton Orchestra and decided to make Madrid, Spain his home in 1992. Born in Manhattan in 1966 Bob started to learn piano at age 5 and saxophone at 9. He graduated from the Eastman School of Music with BA in 1988 and further earned the Master Degree with honors from at the Manhattan School of Music in 1991. He has performed with top jazz artists including Dizzy Gillespie, Gerry Mulligan, Mel Lewis, Clark Terry, Ron McClure, among others. In Spain he leads his own group which is presented in this new album and a big band with which he regularly gives concerts in Madrid.

Russian-Born Gene Segal, who moved to USA as a child, is one of the elite guitarists of the younger generation from the New York scene. After receiving his Master’s Degree in composition from prestigious William Patterson University Gene immersed himself in New York’s competitive and creative milieu to find his own voice as an instrumentalist and composer. This Gene Segal’s SteepleChase Lookout debut is the first glimpse into an ever-evolving artist revealing his fascination with Frensh composer Olivier Messiaen, one of the most important composers of the 20th century.

SteepleChase Lookout is proud to introduce another new exciting artist, originally from Italy currently New York-based Paolo Sapia who started his professional career as jazz pianist. Paolo changed his instrument to alto saxophone in 2004 and moved to New York City with a scholarship from New York University in 2005.Since then Paolo has studied, performed and recorded in USA with a broad range of musicians including Eric McPherson, Jimmy Cobb, Antonio hart, Kevin Hays, Bob Mover, Jeremy Manasia, Mark Turner, Reggie Workman, Quincy Davis, Sam Harris, Eden Ladin, Marco Panascia, Harold O’Neil, Vincent Herring, Joseph Lepore, Luca Santaniello. Philip Dizack, Peter Zak, Rafal Sarnecki, Joel Holmes, Wayne Escoffery, Reggie Quinerly, Mike Eckroth, Jimmy Owens , among others..

Organist Mark Minchello is no stranger to SteepleChase, having been a member of Elliot Zigmund’s group Trio EZ. He is at home in both the jazz and pop worlds. He has worked with traditional jazz artists Cecil Payne and Ted Curson as well as contemporary jazz artists Boney James, Gerald Albright and Will Downing. For 18 years he served as musical director to R&B Diva Regina Belle. On this leader debut album Mark brings fresh ideas to the great tradition of organ jazz.

Korean-born New York-based pianist/composer Eugenia Choe received quite a few superlative reviews for her 2016 debut album “Magic Light” (SCCD 33127) from international press. Eugenia’s second album here is an impressive display of her original and intriguing compositions presented superbly by her working trio. “Eugenia Choe rode her personally distinctive currents into this amalgamated music and made a magnificent record.” (James Nadal – AAJ on SCCD 33127 Magic Light) “Everything's here: the pianist's exquisite touch, her compositional acumen infused with an alluring and idiosyncratic intelligence, her soul, sympatico trio mates, adept sequencing, and a cool cover photo and design. This could be the debut of the year.” (Dan McClenaghan – All About Jazz)

Guitarist/composer Gene Segal is rapidly becoming a stalwart regular player of SteepleChase Lookout with this his 3rd album, for which Gene assembles an organ trio. With his unpredictable, open, unconventional style still intact Segal applies a mini paradigm shift to straighter jazz and reveals a new dimension. “While Segal still loves the funk, as the opening "Healing Feeling" definitively shows, the remainder of the album doesn't easily fit into any one musical pigeonhole; unless there's a category at your local music store called "accomplished, original jazz-rock from out of left-field."” (Dave Wayne – AAJ on SCCD 33114)

Allegra Levy, a New England Conservatory graduate in her early 20s, has already established herself as a singer/composer/band leader in the New York jazz scene with her sultry, rich tones and truly original compositional skills. Assisted by the legendary trumpeter John McNeil with recording and producing, Allegra makes her recording debut here showcasing her enormous talent. “This is a mature first recording by a singer you're sure to hear more from. I think you'll enjoy it as much as I enjoyed producing it. The tunes are catchy and well-constructed, and you'll probably find yourself singing them in a short time. I sing them still.” (John McNeil from the liner notes)

New York-based guitarist/composer Gene Segal was born in Russia and immigrated to USA as a young child with his musician family. His upbringing in European music tradition combined with American contemporary music including jazz enabled Gene Segal to create his unique universe of multi-layered music. “…the energy on this CD is different/better in major ways….if raw energy in jazz is your forte – GET THIS one!..I give Gene & all his players a definite MOST HIGHLY RECOMMENDED…” (Improvijazzation #146 on SCCD 33114 “Mental Images”)

Pianist/composer Federico Bonifazi is considered one of the most outstanding talents of younger generation of Italy. After studying music in Paris and Turin Bonifazi embarked on professional career as a jazz musician in Europe. His trip to NYC in 2014 enabled him to establish a network of friends in New York jazz scene. Bonifazi returned to NYC the following year with host of compositions of his own to record this SteepleChase Lookout debut album with New York’s leading artists including Eric Alexander and the legendary drummer Jimmy Cobbs.

Old Time Musketry presents a joyous music that draws on the exuberant spirit of early jazz, the poignant melodies and soulful grooves of rock and folk music, the energy and spontaneity of free improvisation, and a wilfully experimental attitude towards combining these elements into a unique vision of American music. Old Time Musketry joined forces in early 2009 in Brooklyn and has been developing their unique sound by performing widely in the New York area and around the Northeast.

Renowned educator, composer/pianist Skip Wilkins teamed up with his son Daniel, a new talent on tenor saxophone to present “Father & Son” album with Skip’s working trio: Scott Lee on bass and Jeff Hirshfield on drums. Tenor saxophonist, Daniel Wilkins is young artist on the New York jazz scene. Entering his Senior Year at the Manhattan School of Music, Wilkins has been studying with alto saxophonist Steve Wilson, tenor saxophonist Rich Perry, drummer John Riley, pianists Phil Markowitz and Garry Dial. He plays lead tenor in the Grammy-nominated MSM Afro-Cuban Jazz Orchestra. Skip and Daniel toured in Europe and perform regularly together in New York area.

SteepleChase LookOut’s new recording artist Joe Manis (saxophone) has originally established himself in Northwest – Oregon, though his active performing career reaches East Coast of USA and European cities as well. Manis’ SteepleChase LookOut debut album features pianist /organist George Colligan, who currently resides in Portland, Oregon. Manis finds in this organ trio the ideal stage to displays his intense yet sophisticated music. Manis is the recipient of 2013 Oregon Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowship.

Pianist/composer Kirk Lightsey (b. 1937 in Detroit, Michigan) is a contemporary of John Coltrane, growing up with Detroit’s jazz heavy weights such as Barry Harris, Paul Chambers, Tommy Flanagan, to mention a few. After a lengthy successful career in USA performing with Chet Baker, Woody Shaw, Dexter Gordon a. o. Lightsey moved to Paris, France in the 90s. This live recording from Basel, Switzerland with his European band makes a graceful continuation of his famous tribute albums: “From Kirk To Nat” and “Goodbye Mr Evans”. “A swinging and heartfelt recording ... You can feel definitely the spirit of John Coltrane throughout and the playing is stellar and on the highest level ... this is a great band and the music is both inspired and inspiring!” - Gary Smulyan

Classically trained pianist David Janeway was introduced to jazz when his father took him to hear Oscar Peterson live. He was 14 years old. He then immersed himself in the rich tradition of jazz of Detroit where he grew up. Janeway moved to New York City in 1978 and has since been an active part of New York jazz scene. In the mid-80s he branched out his career in medical science studying psychiatry at Medical School of Michigan State University. He has been holding a dual profession in NYC. For the past several years Janeway can be heard with his current piano trio featuring Billy Hart and Cameron Brown. “Distant Voices” is a tribute to the many jazz pianists that have inspired and influenced Janeway throughout his career. “…Janeway is not afraid to experiment in the moment and has a range of technique that allows him to test the waters fearlessly. ..he is constantly evolving, and I have never heard one player have so many different ways of texturizing.” (Monique Avakian, The Patch) “A skilled composer and pianist capable of creating music that is imaginative, sensitive and often exciting.” (David Franklin - Cadence)