Stephen Riley started his recording career with SteepleChase in 2005 with an amazing (and unusual) piano-less trio SCCD 31584 Inside Out. Since then he had more often than not opted for the piano-less format until he recorded his 2013 quartet release SCCD 31765 Lover with Peter Zak on piano. Riley and Zak started performing as duo and made their first duo release SCCD 31806 Haunted Heart to critical and public acclaim. So here’s “Deuce” to follow up by the empathic twosome. “…This session is his third meeting with pianist Peter Zak, whose sensitive accompaniment allows Riley the breathing room he thought could only be found in pianoless groups. This time, however, it’s just the pair, finding new avenues through a mix of jazz standards and gems from the Great American Songbook. Without timekeeping by a rhythm section, the players rely on intuition to anticipate their joint path…. With Haunted Heart, Stephen Riley and Peter Zak have achieved that rare chemistry that demands future projects together.” (Ken Dryden, New York City Jazz Record on “Haunted Heart” SCCD 31806)

Andy LaVerne’s unique ensemble of piano/organ/drums wraps up the two-night engagement at New York’s prominent jazz lounge at the Kitano Hotel with this last volume of intriguing original compositions by LaVerne and a handful of appealing standard titles. “In hindsight, it's surprising that the piano and organ format has been so rarely utilized in jazz because it makes so much sense. The B3 is able to provide a bass line and a unique textural counterpoint that can complement as well as step forward ... it's Andy's superb originals that supply the fodder for this most rewarding collection…” (Andrew Hovan – AAJ on “Intelligent Design” SCCD 31618

Burgeoning vocalist/composer/lyricist Allegra Levy grabbed attention of critics and public with her 2014 debut album “Lonely City” SCCD 33118. Allen Morrison of Downbeat remarked, “Allegra Levy has a pleasing alto, a sultry delivery and a propensity to swing. Her debut album, Lonely City, is consistently engaging." “Discovering a fresh, dynamic jazz voice is always a delight. When the singer proves an equally gifted songwriter, the pleasure is squared. Allegra Levy is one such double-barreled talent.” (Christopher Loudon- JazzTimes) Here on her new album, Allegra teamed-up with a powerhouse quintet tells her stories in both contemporary and timeless fashion.

This year is the 10th anniversary of Gregory Tardy’s tenure with SteepleChase label which started with his superlative release “The Truth” SCCD 31583. “One of the bright hopes, Tardy sounds like a seeker, absolution and salvation in every solo.” (New York Times) Since then Tardy has, except for a short sabbatical leave from the commercial music scene, kept on creating spiritually inspired music that appealed and reached out to people of all faiths and convictions. On this new album Tardy combines his own new music with a handful of intriguing compositions by other artists from the past to set up a scene for this stellar sextet featuring his long-time friend and great trumpeter Alex Norris

Tenor saxophonist, composer and now attorney at law (immigration specialist) as well Ari Ambrose has successfully gained the recognition from the critics and the public as one of the most innovative improvisers with his own voice. On this his 14th album Ambrose looks back into the music that inspired him originally as teenager to find something new from it. “Since his recording debut as leader on SteepleChase 'Introducing Ari Ambrose' some 15 years ago, saxophonist Ari Ambrose has maintained his impressive output and sound - a modern take on classic jazz forms, which he has polished to perfection on this album.” (Propermusic, UK on “settling In” SCCD 31770)

Since his debut album “Introducing Ari Ambrose” SCCD 31450 in 1998, Ari Ambrose’s burgeoning career has enjoyed critical and popular acclaim. Most recent is by David Franklin of JazzTimes on the previous album “Waiting” SCCD 31560 “A exceptional example of mainstream modern jazz…” “… Ari Ambrose is open to the excitement of exploration, allows his muse to roam freely and that willingness, shared by his confreres here, makes him eminently listenable at all time. … ” (Mark Gardner)

A sequel to SCCD 31483 Songbook which was remarked by Mark Gardner as “….Vic’s most powerful and compelling series of jazz statements, summing up his 35 years’ involvement with the guitar…” displays again Vic’s “unpredictable lyricism” (Jim Ferguson, JazzTimes) and “…une belle fluidité et un joli sens de la mélodie… (Domi Truffandier, Jazz Hot). On this second volume Juris selects gems of jazz compositions with startling beauty.

On this his latest solo recording the composer / performer Andy LaVerne states, “This CD, as a personal statement, is one of the most important I have made since I began recording for SteepleChase 30 years ago. It demonstrates and documents how my writing has evolved over the years.”

Trombone-piano duo may sound unlikely but if it concerns with the two masters of the respective instruments here, the result is a total delight. “… It isn’t the instruments that determine the outcome of this intimate collaboration, but the musicians, their skills, interplay, sensitivity and consummate artistry which are the decisive factors.” (Mark Gardner)

To quote Danish critic Niels Overgaard, Andy LaVerne is “one of jazz’s analytical workmen”. The enormous body of his work as pianist, composer and educator over the five decades does not stop LaVerne from being creative to add new dimension to his artistry as evidenced in this new album. “… pianist Andy LaVerne possesses talent that should be commensurate with a much broader public awareness. (C. Andrew Hovan – AAJ) “LaVerne's writing chops are as impressive as his playing.” (Harvey Siders – Jazztimes on Pianissimo SCCD31512)

Danish avant-garde, modern jazz guitarist/composer and most famously leader of “one of Europe's most sophisticated bands” (Norman Weinstein) has always prided himself on the longevity (since 1980) of his constantly active New Jungle Orchestra. On this new live recording Dørge features his favourite American cornetist Kirk Knuffke and writes music with Kirk’s sound in mind. With the help of engaging audience in Copenhagen NJO delivers one amazing concert here.

Mark Gardner in his liner notes aptly sums up the new Walrath CD: “There is never a dull moment during the switches of mood. Jack performs with all his inventive powers full on, and, importantly, his writing, direction and presence draw wonderful responses from his colleagues.” “Jack Walrath not only displays tremendous trumpet playing, a rich and varied approach to composition and wonderful band, he also puts something into this fantastic CD that's missing from too much new jazz: a sense of fun and humor. That's not to say that it isn't sensitive and touching at times—"An Hour Blessed" is arguably as gorgeous as anything ever recorded. Musical food for thought with amazing jazz playing, this recording can't be praised highly enough”. (Francis Lo Kee of allaboutjazz on Ballroom, SCCD 31650) “Bottom line, Walrath’s chops and imagination are still intact. The dues-paying he’s done over the years only assures that date’s like this one will reliably come in well under par.” (Derek Taylor – master of a small house on Heavy Mirth, SCCD 31683)

John Hart’s collaboration with SteepleChase started in 2016 with sideman role on the late alto saxophonist Andy Fusco’s Turmoil (SCCD 31843). The guitarist/composer/educator Hart since has kept releasing a barrage of highly acclaimed leader albums. On this his fifth outing he has assembled an impeccable quartet featuring Rich Perry on tenor and Brian Charette on B-3. “This album is filled with understated jazz of a very high order. Well worth a listen,” (M. McKergow – London Jazz News on SCCD 31910 Checkmate)

Brian Charette’s unique, reed-based sextet released their first album “Music For Organ Sextette” (SCCD 31731) in 2012 to a critical and public acclaim. Dan Bilawsky noted in AAJ : “…On Music For Organ Sextette, Charette weaves a unique and gripping aural tapestry together with a mélange of woodwinds serving as the thread. He channels his energy into creating constructs that benefit from the blending of multiple voices ... Music For Organ Sextette is an anomaly in the world of organ-centric jazz … Charette challenges the status quo with this one and winds up the victor in every way.” On this second outing of the Sextet Brian Charette even furthers and deepens his musical universe making this sextet a perfect and permanent formula for its creative founder.

Following his successful SteepleChase debut album (SCCD 31562 Blue Function) recorded in jazz’s birthplace, New Orleans where he lives, Christian Winther moves his recording venue to jazz’s thriving place, New York for this his second outing to result in once again an exciting, evolving and enjoyable album. On his debut album, Cadence’s Jim Santella commented, “… The leader’s centerpiece is his laid-back attitude. It enables him to caress a melody without raising a fuss, … to show a sincere love for lyric beauty… ”

Juris’ versatile and innovative mind finds a perfect setting for his latest album here in the relatively seldom heard guitar/trumpet quartet (without piano). Vic has been collaborating in trumpeter Tim Hagans’ Norbotten Big Band (Sweden) for several years to lay down the groundwork for this creative album. “Vic Juris is a versatile and impressively accomplished guitarist. His playing exudes warmth, intelligence and respect for the tradition. Perhaps best of all, he seems to understand that the foregoing positives also apply to a legion of contemporary guitarists, and he looks for ways to set his work apart, in terms of sound, approach, or material”. (Duck Baker – JazzTimes on “Remembering Eric Dolphy” SCCD 31453)

Peter Zak’s penchant and artistry for trio format has produced an impressive series of piano trio albums all of which have enjoyed superlative critical acclaims all over the world. Here on this latest release with the fitting album title Peter Zak delivers once again his trademark intelligent art of piano trio performance. “You can’t help but be drawn in by his deep swing, mastery of tempo, horn-like phrasing, orchestrative savoir faire, and ability to conjure melodic pathways through harmonic thickets.” (Ten Panken – DownBeat on Down East – SCCD 31715)

“In the jazz tradition, the jam session played and continues to play a vital role in the musical community. In that spirit, Steeplechase, a label built on tradition, has come up with a jam session series, pairing veteran players with up-and-comers as a way of spreading the word about musicians on the label.” (Matthew Miller/allaboutjazz - on Vol. 19)

The instrumentation of piano/organ/drums may be highly unusual but with Andy LaVerne and Gary Versace on the keyboards the format is a sure winner as their earlier collaboration in “All Ways” (SCCD 31569) – “(LaVerne and Versace) sound absolutely natural and complementing together….two equally appealing keyboard voices…” (Thomas Conrad – JazzTimes)

Introducing a new talent has always been a major and satisfying incident for SteepleChase. The list of artists whose debut albums it produced includes Doug Raney, Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen, Andy LaVerne, Hilton Ruiz, Joe Locke, Kevin Hays, Larry Willis, Rick Margitza, Rich Perry just to mention a few. The latest addition, saxophonist Joshua Douglas Smith is just turning 21 and studying jazz and economics at New York University. Joshua and his fellow NYC students formed this group and within a short time they began to display extraordinary levels of creativity. “Joshua Douglas Smith and his three contemporaries…make an impressive debut here and in doing so indicate a bright and optimistic future for jazz.” (Mark Gardner)