“ ...if you appreciate Bley’s quintessential lyricism and Lundgaard’s singing lines, this one and the other (Live Again SCCD 31230) are noteworthy albums...” (A.G., Compact, September 1989)
“...The Rapport between Bley and Lundgaard is perfect...” (Birger Jørgensen, Aarhuus Stiftstidende)
Previously issued on SCCD 31223 & SCCD 31230
“...extremely charming main stream jazz..” (Swing Journal)
“...quite dynamic and impressive modern jazz approach...it is too interesting a sample of Drew’s work to be allowed to escape unnoticed.” (M.J. Melody Maker, Dec. 4, 1976)
“A valuable addition to the already extremely impressive series of albums Kenny Drew has recorded for SteepleChase over the last few years.” (M.S. Jazz Journal April 1976)
Previously issued on SCCD 31016 & SCCD 31034
“Brooklyn pianist enjoys first rate bass and drums backup…He’s one of the giants of the bop era, but his stylings are contemporary and entertaining.” (Recommended album, Billboard)
“…while Jordan’s elegantly simple playing is a delight, his compositions are equally intriguing. …the album has the best work I’ve ever heard from Pedersen and solos from Jordan that proceed with the serene clarity of a mountain spring.” (Larry Kart, Chicago Tribune)
Since the time vibraphone was invented in 1921 (could be 1916) there has been an impressive and growing list of exceptional practitioners of this mallet instrument. And one of them is Tony Miceli whom Victor Schermer of All About Jazz describes as, “a vibraphonist of astonishing virtuosity, musical resilience, and inventiveness. His vibes playing is nothing short of phenomenal.”
Miceli performs and gives masterclasses in the US and abroad. This is Tony Miceli’s leader debut album on SteepleChase.
New York’s ace trumpeter Joe “Mags” Magnarelli’s third outing on SteepleChase is condensed to a quartet format with trumpet as the sole frontline giving the leader new dimension and depth to define his voice.
His previous release (SCCD 31939 New York-Osaka Junction) received enthused remarks “…he is particularly outstanding, demonstrating a brilliant clarity that could be called the height of sophistication.” (Catfish-Records, Japan) and “Magnarelli has always been a jazzman-of-all-work, good in small groups like this one and great at starring in big bands and he's on fire here” (JazzWise-Peter Vacher UK)
Hammond B-3 organ has a rich host of illustrious players in the jazz history including Jimmy Smith, Jack McDuff, Joey DeFrancesco to mention a few, but Brian Charette is the first (and so far the only) jazz artist who recorded solo organ albums. The first release was highly acclaimed SCCD 31756 Borderline of 2013. Here on his third solo endeavour Charette delights us premiering as vocalist on 2 tracks.
“Charette is a burning soloist who understands the tradition of the Hammond B-3 as well its future—just as certainly as he understands his place in that lineage.” (Ken Micallef – Downbeat)
Yes, Brouqui is French and a phenomenal guitarist/composer and this is his SteepleChase debut album. But no, this is not of French Gypsy tradition. He is out of pure American modern jazz vein with a touch of French elegance. He commutes between Paris and NYC performing and recording.
“A warm jazz full of swing. His inspired and fast guitar interprets with assurance and sensitivity. We will savour the creative breath of his improvisations…. highly recommended.” (Claude Olberg - Jazz Magazine)
After the 45-year world jungle expedition, guitarist/composer/chieftain
Pierre Dørge takes his tribe to its home turf Copenhagen’s fabled Jazzhus Montmartre to record live their latest album filled with all but one new vibrant compositions by Dørge.
Donald Elfman of AAJ once remarked, “Pierre Dørge has what seems like a magical ability - he can re-imagine and re-think the way that music is voiced thus creating entire new worlds out of worlds we think we know.”
The pianist who goes by the name of Mferghu is SteepleChase’ newest discovery. Mferghu, a native of Harlem (Manhattanville), NY has just turned 70. And this is his very first leader album. Unassuming and reserved Mferghu never seeks the spotlight but could not avoid being spotted by the producer Nils Winther during Jamale Davis’ session last year. Here as the leader of his own trio Mferghu displays his immense aptitude for performing and composing music deeply rooted in hard bop and beyond.
Drummer/composer/educator Steve Johns moved to New York after graduating from the New England Conservatory of Music in 1982. While still a student, he won the Outstanding Drummer Award at the Notre Dame Collegiate Jazz Festival. His musical career then took off performing with a barrage of luminaries of the world jazz scene. Here is Johns’ SteepleChase leader debut showcasing not only his versatile dexterity but his astounding talent as composer.
Ken Micallef of JazzTimes noted, "Guitarist Nate Radley has the one thing that all musicians would kill for: He makes you want to listen." This his fourth leader album will be again the proof of the above statement as Radley formed the quartet with his favorite rhythm section to premiere all his intriguing original compositions written for this session.
Many of us old-timers remember George “Big G” Coleman in the late 50s and 60s performing with almost every single legendary name in that golden era of American jazz, a.o. Miles Davis. Coleman who turns 90 this year is still going strong and surrounds himself with the elite artists of younger generation including the leader of this album Brian Charette (Hammond-B3).
This album can be seen as the sequel to 2018’s “Groovin’ With Big G” (SCCD 31857) again with Charette in charge of keeping the music flowing.
“This is a mellow date, a blowing date to be sure but Charette’s B-3 rarely goes the funk route and is closer to Wild Bill Davis. Coleman’s tenor is as strong as ever and while not aggressive, it is still forceful.” (Papathomas on SCCD 31857)
Alex Norris has been one of the most sought-after elite trumpeters for the past three decades on NY scene. Norris received a Master's degree from the Manhattan School of Music and a Doctor’s degree from the Univ. of Miami Frost School of Music. He has kept busy schedule performing principal post in renowned large and small ensembles all over the world. Despite his impressive achievement Alex Norris’ leader albums are scarce. This is his fourth album and the second for SteepleChase. Norris forms a time-tested yet distinctive trumpet trio with some contemporary twists superbly collaborated by Paul Bollenbach on guitar and Paul Gill on bass. “…Norris writes and plays with rare assurance and seldom walks on overly familiar paths…. he’s not an aggressive stylist and his penchant for thoughtful dynamics gives him the confidence to leave space and unexpected intervals in his solos.” (The Penguin Guide to Jazz on CD)
Anthony Ferrara for his third album here teams up again with the dream rhythm section of Versace/Anderson/Drummond. Ron McClure who was one of Ferarra’s teachers at NYU once commented on this group, “This is a four-way conversation between four men who have a mutual respect of the process of making music, always cognitive of the group effort. Had they played the Manhattan phonebook, they would have made it work.” “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)
Dick Sisto (vibraphone) and Andy LaVerne (piano) were fellow faculty members of the famed Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop and have been close colleagues since 1996. During the last seasons of the Workshop in 2018 and 2019 Dick and Andy performed concerts as duo dedicating the program for Bill Evans and Scott LaFaro. This album is derived from those four concerts recorded live. Andy LaVerne who studied with Evans contributes also a very informative, insightful and fascinating liner notes here
“colorful, witty, unpredictable, inventive and swinging” is what jazz critic Scott Yanow observes of cornetist/composer Knuffke. He created here an astoundingly musical sounding board by the two phenomenal double bass players: SteepleChase stalwart Jay Anderson (left channel) and Swedish born Thommy Andersson (right channel).
Just like his previous “unusual” album of cornet and tuba Tight Like This. this one will be regarded as “very memorable and very entertaining ” . (K. Oleksiuk – The New York City Jazz Record)
