Before jets and a proliferation of festivals made European appearances by American jazz musicians commonplace, it was not unusual for a trans-Atlantic tour to be preceded by six months of publicity. But such was not the case in November 1950, when Charlie Parker's arrival in Sweden literally took some fans by surprise. The trip was made on such short notice that booking negotiations virtually continued until his day of departure from the States. Rumors of impending visits from Parker had circulated from time to time, but so exciting was the prospect that one dared not believe them. Given the scarecity of live jazz in Europe at that time, and the fact that Charlie Parker, the Messiah of modern jazz, was already achieving legendary status, it was preordained that this visit would be a particularly memorable one. We hope this live album proves to be as exciting to listeners now as it was to the approximately one thousand people who crowded into the dance hall of Folkets Park in Halsingborg and the seventy-five who were lucky enough to attend the session that followed all those years ago.

A une epoque ou la plupart des saxophonistes se coulaient dans l'ombre de Charlie Parker, Lee Konitz, fort de ses convictions, a su se tenir a distance et, irresistiblement, ouvrir les portes d'un univers musical d'une grande modernite en imposant une sonorite lisse et une grande intelligence melodique. Jean-Paul RICARD At a time when most saxophone players were slipping into Charlie Parker's shadows, Lee Konitz - a man of conviction - kept his distance and slowly, irresistibly, opened up the doors to a new universe of music: it was grand and modern, and Konitz imposed upon it a sound that had smoothness and showed great intelligence in it's melody. Jean-Paul RICARD CD 1 (1947-1954) : CLAUDE THORNHILL & HIS ORCHESTRA (Columbia 1947) : YARDBIRD SUITE - LEE KONITZ with LENNIE TRISTANO (Prestige 1949) : SUBCONSCIOUS-LEE - LENNIE TRISTANO SEXTET (Capitol 1949) : WOW - MARIONETTE - DIGRESSION - INTUITION - LEE KONITZ with LENNIE TRISTANO (Prestige 1949) : MARSHMALLOW - SOUND-LEE - MILES DAVIS & HIS ORCHESTRA (Capitol 1950) : MOON DREAMS - LEE KONITZ GROUPS (Prestige 1950) : REBECCA - YOU GO TO MY HEAD - ICE CREAM KONITZ - PALO ALTO - LEE KONITZ SEXTET (Prestige 1951) : YESTERDAYS - HI BECK - LEE KONITZ/BILLY BAUER DUO (Prestige 1951) : DUET FOR SAXOPHONE AND GUITAR - LEE KONITZ with GERRY MULLIGAN (Pacific Jazz 1953) : LADY BE GOOD - LOVER MAN - LEE KONITZ (Vogue 1953) : I'LL REMEMBER APRIL - LEE KONITZ QUARTET (Storyville 1954) : ABLUTION. CD2 (1954-1961) : STAN KENTON & HIS ORCHESTRA (Capitol 1954) - IN A HIGHER VEIN - LEE KONITZ QUARTETS (Storyville 1954) - NURSERY RHYME - FOOLIN' MYSELF - LENNIE TRISTANO QUARTET (Atlantic 1955) : THESE FOOLISH THINGS - LEE KONITZ with WARNE MARSH (Atlantic 1955) : BACKGROUND MUSIC - LEE KONITZ (Atlantic 1956) : ALL OF ME - LEE KONITZ QUINTET (Atlantic 1957) : FOOLIN' MYSELF - LEE KONITZ QUINTET (Verve 1957) : BILLIE'S BOUNCE - LEE KONITZ QUARTET (Verve 1957) : THE NEARNESS OF YOU - GERRY MULLIGAN (Pacific Jazz 1957) : DISK JOCKEY JUMP - LEE KONITZ with STRINGS (Verve 1958) : WHAT'S NEW? - LEE KONITZ meets JIMMY GIUFFRE (Verve 1959) : CORK 'N' RIB - LEE KONITZ (Verve 1959) : YOU DON't KNOW WHAT LOVE IS - LEE KONITZ (Verve 1961) : I REMEMBER YOU. DIRECTION COLLECTION : ALAIN GERBER, TEXTE : JEAN-PAUL RICARD, PRODUCTION DeLeGUeE : JEAN BUZELIN

Classical Music

Classical Music

Alternate takes on a Monk solo LP are a revelation, and this reissue of his 1965 Columbia solo LP is packed with seven of 'em plus an additional bonus track!

Classical Music

Trumpeter Louis Smith’s formative period as a jazz performer some 50 years ago was in the midst of developing/establishing stage of Bebop. Dizzy Gillespie, Fats Navarro and Clifford Brown are the greatest influence on Louis Smith’s trumpet style. Here on his first release in the new millennium Louis is joined by some of the best bebop players of the younger generation.

Two veterans of bop, trumpeter Louis Smith and saxophonist Billy Mitchell joined by the young lion Mark Turner make the 7th volume of “this essential documentation of jazz” an inspired recital. For Billy Mitchell this was his last recording session. “Billy Mitchell was a dignified hero right to the end, and his playing here will stand as a fitting memorial to his resilient talent.” (Mark Gardner). JazzReview’s Rick Finlay wrote, “…SteepleChase’s series of jam sessions drawing together the cream of the contemporary jazz world makes a refreshing change these days.”

Gong With Wind epitomises neatly the nature and purpose of this unique collaboration between evergreen veteran saxophonist Lee Konitz (supplying the wind) and master percussionist Matt Wilson (the man with the “gongs”). The pair have known each other and played together intermittently for many years. Matt was part of Lee’s group in the early 1990s. Konitz had in mind for sometime to make an entire album with the sole assistance of the drummer for whom he has the highest regard. (from Mark Gardner's liner notes)

OrganicLee

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.

Japanese 24-bit remastered pressing. Disk Union. 2017.

At The Golden Circle Vol. 4

"I've been listening to Hans's music for more than 25 years in many contexts, and I have noticed how he has grown and matured as an artist. And how he's always thinking "we" instead of "I". So, all things considered, here's a tribute that everybody involved should be proud of. I'm sure that Charlie Parker would have smiled approvingly. Yes, Bird lives!" (Thorbjørn Sjøgren) Hans Backenroth discovered jazz at the end of his teens, which led him to play double bass influenced by, among others, Paul Chambers, Ray Brown, Scott LaFaro and NHØP. In 1986 Hans moved to Stockholm to study at the music department at Birkagarden college, followed by three years at the Royal Academy of Music, where he graduated in 1989 in both jazz and classical bass, arranging and improvisational education. During the final year Hans became a member of Fredrik Norén Band, with tours in Sweden, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Baltics, and soon he began to appear at Stockholm's jazz venues like Fasching and Stampen and at many jazz clubs around Sweden. He appears on this album alongside Klas Lindquist, Erik Soderlind, and Karl-Henrik Ousback.

A special release from SteepleChase's cradle period consists of the two "duo" (Kenny Drew on piano and Niels-Henning Ørsted Pedersen on bass) recordings originally marketed as SCS 1002 and SCS 1010 on LP. Re-mastered in a high resolution (24bits 96khz). No extra material added. "Drew and Pedersen have made this an artistic triumph...it finds both men in excellent form..." (on SCS 1002 DUO B.McRoy, Jazz Journal, UK Sept. 1973) "This is an album of great musical value which will give pleasure for a long, long time. (Chris Sheridan, Into Jazz, UK May 1974)

“Bud was a genius piano player–the best there was of all the bebop piano players.” - Miles Davis “If I had to choose one single musician for his artistic integrity, for the incomparable originality of his creation and the grandeur of his work, it would be Bud Powell. He was in a class by himself" – Bill Evans Bud Powell 1962 is something we at SteepleChase have been obsessed with for a while. The previous release SCCD 36040 “Bud Powell 1962 Copenhagen” was from the recordings made at the Danish Radio Concert Hall and Jazzhus Montmartre. What we have here is from the same year from the fabled Golden Circle where SteepleChase’s 5-volume releases At The Golden Circle come from. The Swedish part of this release were recorded two days prior to those SteepleChase releases. Bud Powell travelled on to Oslo Norway the same year to perform some memorable tracks captured here before going back to USA for the last time.

Bud Powell was “the foundation out of which stemmed the whole edifice of modern jazz piano" (Herbie Hancock) and “the greatest be-bop piano player in the world “ (Hampton Hawes). Though his life was short and troubled (1924 – 1966), Bud found some solace and tranquillity during the years (1959 – 1963) he lived in Europe (mostly in Paris). The recordings that make up this album are from March and August of 1962 from Danish Radio Concert Hall and Jazzhus Montmartre in Copenhagen. However battered mentally and physically the man was, here’s the clear evidence of his genius more intact than generally believed.

The paths of Eric Ineke and Tineke Postma crossed several times the recent years. The time was there for an album together. The Charlie Parker centennial was the right moment to make it happen, the man who helped to define the bebop. According to Eric Ineke would never have been an Eric Ineke JazzXpress if it wasn't for Charlie "Bird" Parker. On What Kinda Bird is This? the listener gets known and lesser known material by Charlie Parker, complimented two pieces based on work by Charlie Parker, from the hand of Marius Beets.

SteepleChase’ 50th anniversary “In Concert” series continues with Gerry Mulligan’s famed Concert Jazz Band from October 31, 1960 at its first concert in Europe. The Concert Jazz Band’s unique arrangements and its trademark sound of translucency are restored by the modern sound technology. The Concert Jazz Band’s live performance from their European tour have been released before except this from Copenhagen and Berlin. The Django Reinhardt piece Manoir de mes Rêves and Mulligan’s 18 Carrots for Rabbit get rare performance here.

Duke Jordan’s early success came as member of the Charlie Parker Quintet contributing some of the most endearingly apt introductions of the jazz’ classic repertoires such as “Embraceable You”. He composed quite a few great jazz tunes that became standard numbers like “Jor-du” and “No Problem” among others. After a lengthy hiatus due to his drug problems in the 60s Jordan was rescued by a handful of Danish jazz enthusiasts and started resuming his professional career in Europe and Japan. The featured young tenorist Bent Jædig had shared the bandstand with Jordan during the years into the 80s. Along with Jædig two guest players were sitting in: bassists Eddie Gomez (in town with Bill Evans), and South African Johnny Dyani. This live recording finds Jordan at the famed jazz club Montmartre in the heart of Copenhagen the night before the (studio) recording session of his best-selling album “Flight To Denmark” SCCD 31011. Duke Jordan made Denmark his permanent home until his death in 2006.

SUNDAY MORNING JAZZ (1950-1959)

Stina ag�stsdottir: vocals Fredrik Olsson: guitar Mats Dimming: bass Jojo Djeridi: drums The jazz group Alfie! Invites you on a musical journey through Burt Bacharach's timeless melodies. With their debut album, The Songs of Burt Bacharach, the band steps from local stages to the record shelf, delivering a loving tribute to one of popular music's most iconic composers. After enchanting audiences in the Stockholm area with their brilliant interpretations of American classics, Alfie! #has now created an entire album dedicated to Burt Bacharach's music. It was the song The Look of Love that sparked the idea, and soon the repertoire grew to consist solely of Bacharach's timeless melodies. Their concerts have garnered significant attention, and it is at the audience's suggestion that they are now releasing their first album. Burt Bacharach is one of our most beloved composers. With his rich melodies and original harmonic twists, he defined an entire era from the 1960s onwards. His music has been interpreted by many, perhaps most notably Dionne Warwick, but also by Frank Sinatra and many others. Alfie! #approaches Bacharach from a jazz perspective, exploring his melodies and Hal David's lyrics with love. We get to hear iconic songs like Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head, Walk on By, Close to You, and many others.

With the support of the American State Department, the Dave Brubeck Quartet, including new members Joe Morello and Eugene Wright, began a major tour of Europe early in 1958. Their first concert in the Netherlands was held on 26 February in the legendary Concertgebouw Hall in Amsterdam. The concert inaugurated a triumphant career in Europe. It announced, loud and clear, the communicative enthusiasm that was the lasting hallmark of these four exceptional musicians.

September 8, 1960 Oscar Pettiford, American bassist/cellist/composer with unparalleled recognition died abruptly at age 38 due to a virus disease in Copenhagen where he had made his permanent residence. He was one of American jazz players Denmark welcomed in in the 60s and 70s. A few weeks after Pettiford’s passing a circle of Danish jazz fans organized a memorial concert presented here to raise fund for his children with a star-studded program that included Stan Getz, Alice Babs, among others.

November 20, 1961 Dizzy Gillespie brought on stage of Falkoner Centret, Copenhagen the quintet version of “Gillespiana Suite”, composed originally for his 16-piece orchestra by young Argentine composer/pianist Lalo Schifrin. The suite was recorded in the previous year to become a huge success. This composition paved the way for Schifrin to become one of the most popular screen music composers. The program finishes with Gillespie’s own Kush which stayed in his repertoire for the next 15 years

The Messengers expanded to a sextet with the addition of Curtis Fuller in 1961 and went into their most Prior to 1960 Concert Band appearance in Copenhagen (SCCD 36502) Mulligan brought his piano less quartet with Art Farmer to the Falkoner Centret on May 21, 1959. The night’s mostly Danish audience were mesmerized by their “cool” sound of so-called West Coast Jazz. As the quartet lasted only a short period of time in the 50s, this album will be one of the rare historical issues. Quartet’s bassist Bill Crow (now age 95) gave interview to Andrew Hoven for the liner notes, which makes a great read.

Duke Jordan (1920 – 2006) was approached in NY by Marcel Romano, musical consultant of the French film Les Liaisons Dangereuse directed by Roger Vadim in 1959 to audition for the soundtracks. It laid down the groundwork for Jordan’s rise to the star composer status. All too famous “No Problem” is not included in this sketching but a few of the tunes we come to appreciate later are here in their prototypes. This recording made in a NY studio has never been heard (except maybe by Vadim). SteepleChase is proud to announce the world premier release of the album of cultural/historical significance.

Jan 30, 1977 a day after the sold out 3-day concerts celebrating Stan’s 50th birthday in Copenhagen Stan and his crew including Danish ace bassist Ørsted Pedersen were in studio to record. The huge success of the double live album kept us in suspense for three decades for the release of the unissued material. Well, here it is for us to enjoy. “The miracle of Getz’s style … in the coexistence of restraint and fire, of simmering emotions beneath the glassy surface of his timbre.” (Neil Tesser) 180g Audiophile Vinyl

It's a gift that has been handed to Jasper: the ability to choose a musical partner for a unique project where the sum of the parts far exceeds the normal mathematical result. The result is the epitome of synergy. These great live recordings are addictive. Not merely because of their lovely tones, thrilling turns, subtle waywardness and the restrained calm that pervades them. No, it is first and foremost the overall vibe that makes this release so special. You're literally transported to a sound world that breathes, where a liberating space prevails. Your sense of time wavers and you feel connected to the language of the players. Listening to them places you fully in the Now.

Recorded on the same day after the quintet session (SCCD 31046 Duke’s Delight) in a New York studio in 1975 this attractive trio recording “comprises nearly 40 minutes of sheer unpretentious enjoyment.” (Mark Gardner - Jazz Journal UK) Duke Jordan’s long association with SteepleChase started with Jordan’s visit to Copenhagen in 1973. The collaboration yielded impressive hoard of highly acclaimed albums including SCCD 31011 Flight To Denmark). This session with the very best sidemen New York could offer - the veteran bassist Sam Jones and the great drummer Al Foster (who joined Miles Davis shortly after this session - enabled Jordan to display his attractive personal touch featuring Jordan’s own melodious compositions. 180g Audiophile Vinyl